Paris Cemeteries website is new and improved!

At the risk of sounding like a very tired and very old American TV commercial selling laundry detergent, the website pariscemeteries dot com has been greatly expanded and newly updated.

After reviewing the groundbreaking work of Bertrand Beyern (print) and Philippe Landru (online) I have nearly tripled my coverage of burial spaces within the 20 arrondissements of Paris.

So, if you have a free moment or two I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have about the updated website:

http://www.pariscemeteries.com/

Thanks!

Paris cemeteries central database - yes and no

Every so often I get an email asking how to find where someone is buried in Paris. I have to break the bad news: there is no central database in for the cemeteries in Paris.

That is, of course, only half true. There IS a central database BUT and this is a big one, you must demonstrate a family connection to the deceased before they will release any information to you. Once they have proof of your relationship it can then take up to a month before the request is processed.

If you qualify, then by all means contact the following department:

Service central des Cimetières
71 rue des Rondeaux
75020 Paris

Remember, you MUST be able to prove a familial relationship.

Of course, if you know the name and date of death and cemetery it's easy and simple to learn the grave location; that information is available to anyone. Just contact the cemetery in question (the conservation or office), provide the full name and date of death and they should be able to give you the precise location within the cemetery. It works best if you can go in person, of course. . .

Guide to the art in Père-Lachaise Cemetery

At long last I have finished my Guide to 1,165 Works of Art in Père-Lachaise Cemetery. It is complemented by my new website on the sculpture of Père-Lachaise.