UN CRÉMATORIUM PRÈS DE CHEZ SOI? PROFITABILITÉ D'UN SERVICE PUBLIC DEVENU INDISPENSABLE.

Crematist demand is booming in metropolitan France. In recent years, crematorium construction has been increasing and many projects are coming up. This funerary practice has long been more democratized in cities and delayed in the rural bastions of Catholicism. The evolution of practices means that the French territory is less and less neglected, but some cinerary deserts persist because of the level of settlement. The competent local authorities usually delegate this public service to major funeral groups, dominant in this specific and high potential market. The municipalities receive regular royalties in return and do not have to invest too large parts of their scarce resources. For bereaved families, practical criteria of proximity as well as the variable cost of cremation largely predestine their choice of crematorium. The geography of these funerary spaces is that of urban peripheries accessible and with a pleasant natural environment. Faced with large urban facilities often saturated, here has recently been a profusion of small nearby crematoriums. Despite a steady increase in demand, local oppositions appear against these installations: problems of pollution, traffic and real estate value are put forward. Concertations generally avoid local discord around cremation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]