France Burial Lottery: Chance to Rest Near Famous Figures
The City of Paris has introduced a unique lottery allowing residents to win the opportunity to be buried alongside renowned personalities in historic cemeteries like Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre.
Lottery Details and Cemeteries Involved
Each cemetery offers ten gravestones priced at €4,000 each. Winners must commit to restoring the gravestones to secure their burial spots. The selection will be finalized by January 2026.
Notable Figures and Historical Context
This initiative lets Parisians potentially rest near legends such as Jim Morrison of The Doors, author Oscar Wilde, and iconic French singer Édith Piaf. The trend dates back to Marilyn Monroe, who popularized the concept of famous grave burials despite facing criticism in her lifetime.
Costs and Responsibilities for Winners
- Burial plot prices start at €976 for a 10-year period.
- Perpetual burial costs amount to €17,668.
- Winners bear responsibility for the burial and upkeep.
- Failure to meet conditions results in forfeiture of the plot and deposited funds.
Applications for the lottery are exclusively open to residents of Paris, reflecting the limited space and growing demand for burial land.
"There is a finite amount of burial land and an infinite amount of dead people."
To manage overcrowding, the Paris city council devised this lottery system as a solution that balances heritage preservation with urban space limits.
Author's summary: Paris introduces a lottery offering residents the rare chance to be buried near famous historical figures in prestigious cemeteries, combining heritage with modern urban challenges.