A record-smashing heat wave has overwhelmed mortuaries in Paris and across France, leaving funeral directors and grieving families struggling to find space for the deceased. The extreme temperatures, which have shifted eastward across Europe, have caused a significant increase in deaths, particularly among the elderly.
Zouhaeir Hertelli, a mortuary and funeral service director in Paris, described the situation as "catastrophic," with all 32 places in his cold room occupied and hundreds of calls coming in daily. "We're really full, full, full," he stated, noting that funeral directors are having to transport bodies as far as 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the capital. Hertelli has requested permission to install temporary refrigerated containers outside his facility but is awaiting approval.
Public Health France reported a surge in deaths during the heat wave's peak last week. On Wednesday, when France registered its hottest-ever day, breaking a record set the previous day, there were more than 1,200 deaths. This figure rose to over 1,400 on Thursday and Friday. While these are preliminary estimates, the agency cautioned that the numbers are expected to increase as more death certificates are processed, especially for individuals who died at home or in care facilities.
An initial analysis indicated that 85% of the registered deaths involved individuals aged 65 and older. The Paris region saw a sharp increase of approximately 40% in deaths occurring at home. To cope with the overflow, the city of Paris installed two temporary storage units with 20 places each, and municipal hospitals provided an additional 50 places.
This heat wave has drawn comparisons to the 2003 heat wave, which was blamed for 15,000 deaths and prompted a national reevaluation of elder care. The summer of 2022 also saw more than 5,700 heat-related deaths. Funeral directors like Véronique Bertrand expressed concern that lessons from past events may have been forgotten, emphasizing that many of the recent deceased were living alone and isolated. Bertrand urged a return to community solidarity, recalling the movement after 2003 where people checked on neighbors, especially those living alone.
Authorities also warned against swimming in unsupervised waterways after at least 55 people drowned across France while attempting to cool off from the extreme temperatures. The relentless heat has underscored the growing impact of climate change and the need for preparedness in vulnerable populations.