The funeral market - France

The global funeral market was valued at $62.5 billion in 2023, with an expected growth rate of 6.1% per year to reach $113 billion in 2033. In France, sales of funeral services grew by an average of 4.11% between 2015 and 2022. The French market, made up mainly of national players with a high degree of local integration, is expected to experience continued growth due to structural demographic changes, including an aging population and an increased preference for cremation over burial.

In 2022, there were around 4,413 funeral service companies in France, and the number of deaths reached around 673,637, partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a heat wave. The market is consolidating, with major players such as Funécap and OGF (!5% market share by 2022), but is also seeing the entry of mutual insurers such as La Maison des Obsèques. Funeral services are diversifying, with more ecological and digital solutions emerging as key trends.

Demand for funeral services in France: changing preferences against a backdrop of demographic change

The French funeral market is a sector that has continued to grow despite changing demographics, cultural practices and consumer expectations. With demographic changes underway in France, the funeral industry has remained agile, adapting to the changing needs and desires of its customers. Between 2009 and 2022, France recorded a marked increase in the number of deaths. This represents a substantial increase of around 25% over the entire period studied. Insee projections predict even higher annual death rates by 2050, reaching a minimum of around 770,000. This upward trend, due in part to the aging of the population and known as the "papy-boom" effect, creates a constant demand for funeral services.

A significant development in the market is the growing preference for cremation over traditional burial practices. Over a decade, the desire for burial fell by 10 points to 37%, while the preference for cremation jumped by 10 points to 63%. This not only reflects individual wishes, but is also reflected in the increasing rate of cremations carried out each year. The choice of burial or cremation is often influenced by personal beliefs and environmental considerations.

Demand for eco-certified coffins and biodegradable urns has exploded, with 52% of French people expressing a preference for these options. In line with the ecological movement, innovative practices such as humusation and the use of bicycle hearses symbolize a deeper ecological awareness in the funeral industry. Another trend we're seeing is a push towards personalization and digital integration. Consumers are seeking to ensure that their funerals faithfully reflect their identity and personal ties. For example, customizable caskets and digital obituaries are gaining ground, meeting the needs of a population that has integrated technology into its daily life.

In addition, end-of-life care for pets has become a booming vertical sector, mirroring the human funeral market. With over 50% of French households owning a pet, specialized funeral services for pet owners are on the rise, including undertakers specializing in pet burials.

Despite changing preferences and trends, small local funeral operators retain a competitive edge over larger groups, often offering more affordable options. This demonstrates not only the strong local nature of the sector, but also the responsiveness of smaller entities to market demands.

As we delve into the intricacies of this market, it's essential to highlight the leading companies that not only operate in this sector, but are also defining its future.

• OGF - Pompes Funèbres Générales: A pillar of tradition OGF, short for "Organisation Générale des Funérailles", is one of the oldest and most important players in the French funeral market. It is known for its comprehensive services, including the organization of funerals, the supply of caskets or urns, and post-funeral memorial ceremonies. With its well-established reputation, OGF draws on its experience and extensive presence across the country to meet the varied needs of bereaved families.
• Funécap: an expanding force A relatively newcomer to the market compared with OGF, Funécap has rapidly developed into a significant market force. Thanks to aggressive growth strategies involving mergers and acquisitions, Funécap has steadily increased its market share. The acquisition of La Pompe Funèbre de la Nesque is an excellent example of this, illustrating the company's commitment to expansion and broadening service coverage.
• La Maison des Obsèques: The entry of mutual insurer La Maison des Obsèques represents a new angle of attack on the funeral market. La Maison des Obsèques is uniquely positioned to support its members right up to the end of their lives, thus broadening the scope of traditional funeral services. The company stands out for its empathetic approach and challenges the status quo of the funeral services market.
• Independent local players: The backbone of personalized services Beyond the national giants, the market is also teeming with local, independent companies that serve families within their communities. These players are known for their personalized touch and in-depth knowledge of local traditions and sentiments. While they may not have the financial clout of larger competitors, they often command high levels of customer loyalty thanks to their tailor-made services.

Companies in the funeral market are not immune to competitive pressures, and are constantly evolving through distinct strategies. Some focus on affordability, offering quality services at low prices, while others concentrate on ecological solutions such as biodegradable coffins or urns. In addition, digital innovation is another frontier, with online services becoming increasingly widespread as companies seek to offer convenience and new services

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 18/04/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Worldwide funeral market sales
• Growth forecasts for the funeral industry
• Sales trends in funeral services
• Growth rate of funeral sales
• Number of deaths
• Cyclicality of deaths in France
• Number of deaths by sex and age category
• Breakdown by age group and gender
• Preference between burial and cremation for one's own funeral
• Would you like to scatter your ashes in nature or in a symbolic place?
• Trend in the number of cremations carried out each year
• What type of ceremony would you prefer for your own funeral?
• Number of companies in the funeral market
• Total number of employees in the funeral market
• Breakdown of companies by size
• Base rate for a burial with several funeral companies
• Basic rate for cremation at various funeral directors
• Conformity of funeral estimates
• Total number of funeral insurance policies
• New funeral insurance policies every year
• Change in the proportion of French people who bought a cemetery plant during the year
• Breakdown of cemetery flower purchases by volume
• Deaths in France from January 1 to April 30