France burial lottery: Win a chance to be buried near famous people

Parisians now have a unique opportunity to rest eternally beside cultural icons in the renowned cemeteries of Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. The City of Paris has launched a special burial lottery that allows locals to compete for limited gravesites near legendary figures.

Resting among legends

The program gives residents the chance to be buried close to celebrated names such as Jim Morrison of The Doors, author Oscar Wilde, and singer Edith Piaf. With burial space scarce, the city hopes this initiative will manage demand and preserve historical areas.

How the lottery works

Each of the three cemeteries will offer ten restored gravestones priced at €4000. Winners of the lottery, to be announced by January 2026, must finance the restoration to secure their burial plot. The cost of burial ranges from €976 for a 10-year term to €17,668 for perpetual ownership.

If the winner fails to fulfill the restoration or payment requirements, both the burial site and deposit will be forfeited. Participation is restricted to current residents of Paris.

Historical context

“There is a finite amount of burial land and an infinite amount of dead people,” noted a Paris city official, reflecting on the growing cemetery overcrowding.

The concept of being buried near a celebrity has long fascinated the public, a trend said to have been influenced by the enduring fame of Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe.

Author’s summary

This story explores a unique Paris initiative offering locals the rare chance to rest beside world-famous figures, transforming a burial necessity into a cultural tradition.

WION — 2025-11-06