An unusual surge in deaths is straining resources in the Angoulême region of France, leading to important delays at local crematoriums and highlighting the growing demands placed on funeral services. Recently,officials reported a marked increase in fatalities – 43 in Angoulême during December alone – compounded by a flu season impacting an aging population. The situation has resulted in waits of over ten days for cremation as facilities struggle to keep up with demand and navigate ongoing renovations.
“We are not used to so many deaths in such a short time.”
The sentiment is shared by colleagues. In Soyaux, Sophie Pouyade confirms that “it hasn’t stopped for the past 15 days. Many are people born in the 1940s,” she says, referring to the baby boom generation. “However, the mortality rate has decreased by 12 to 14% since COVID-19. This decrease may be due to vaccination and people paying more attention to their health,” she suggests. But that declining mortality rate is an exception “except this month.”
10-Day Wait at the Crematorium
Forty-three people died in Angoulême in December. Fifteen deaths occurred between January 1 and January 14. The Maison des Obsèques recorded 30 funeral processions between January 1 and January 13 across its three locations. “This is a period where we have to manage a lot of deaths at once.” In January 2025, Nicolas Jobit, of the funeral home of the same name in La Couronne, recorded 52 deaths. And already 34 between January 1 and January 16, 2026. “The flu has fatigued many elderly people.”
The second oven at the crematorium, currently under construction, will be operational in February.
Julie Desbois
Geriatrician Céline Baudemont, practicing in Girac, confirms that “the flu epidemic led to many elderly people being hospitalized. They don’t always die *from* the flu, but from complications. The respiratory system is often fragile. We live more confined in winter, the immune system is weaker, and we transmit more viruses during the holidays. This highlights the importance of vaccination, which reduces the risk of severe illness,” the doctor reminds. She notes that younger, unvaccinated individuals are often the source of transmission. There may also be an epidemiological explanation related to the normal evolution of the age pyramid.
The Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics indicates that, nationally, in 2023, cancer was the leading cause of death (27%). This data underscores the continued importance of cancer prevention and early detection efforts.
The second oven at the crematorium currently under construction will be operational in February.
Julie Desbois
In Angoulême, the surge in deaths is compounded by a significant wait time at the Trois-Chênes crematorium, which is undergoing renovations. “More than ten days’ wait,” confirms Laurent Lalue, the facility’s director, on Rue de Basseau. “This is exceptional. We perform eight cremations per day.” He also noted “an increase in deaths compared to last year.” This comes at a difficult time, as the crematorium has been operating with only one oven since May. The other is under construction, and the ceremony hall is being expanded (cost of renovations: €2.3 million).
The crematorium processed 132 cremations in December 2025 (16% more than in 2024) and 59 as of mid-January 2026. “Some come from neighboring departments,” says Guillaume Chupin, an elected official. The second oven will be operational starting in February. “The wait time will decrease considerably,” assures Laurent Lalue.
How much do
funerals cost?
At Nicolas Jobit in La Couronne, one of the last independent funeral homes among the dozen in the metropolitan area, a funeral can cost between €3,000 and €3,500.
This includes the casket (€400 to €2,000), the ceremony in a room that can accommodate 120 people, transportation of the body from the hospital or nursing home, administrative procedures, preservation care (€280), rental of the funeral chamber (a flat rate of €310 for a duration of 1 to 8 days), opening and closing of the grave at the cemetery, the service (€225 paid to the diocese), and publication of the obituary notice in the press (€300).
