Simple coffins

Order amending the Order of 20 December 2018 issued pursuant to Articles R2213-25 and R2213-25-1 of the General Code for Local Authorities, defining the specifications applicable to coffins and establishing the procedures for verifying these specifications.

The draft order aims to amend the Order of 20 December 2018 defining the specifications applicable to coffins and establishing the procedures for verifying these specifications. This order is based on Standard NF D80 001 – Performance specifications for inspecting the fitness for use of a coffin. This standard is divided into three parts: Part 1 NF D80-001-1 (May 2004), concerning mechanical requirements; Part 2 NF D80-001-2 (September 2007), concerning requirements for biodegradability in soil; and Part 3 NF D80-001-3 (September 2008), concerning requirements for cremation.

The standardisation committee, comprised of professionals from the funeral sector, has adopted a new version of Part 3 (NF D80-001-3) of the aforementioned standard concerning requirements for cremation.
The draft amending order, which is the subject of this notification, aims, firstly, to amend Article 3 of the Order of 20 December 2018 in order to incorporate the new version of Part 3 of the standard and, secondly, to align the combustibility specifications listed in Annex 4 of that Order with the amended standard. Regarding the flammability of the materials constituting the coffin, the adopted provision is that these materials cannot ignite when the coffin is placed in the furnace. Regarding the ash content, the two existing specifications (2 % of the mass of the bare coffin; a total volume of 0.6 litres) are maintained, but these conditions are no longer cumulative