Families mourning their loved ones will find themselves facing additional costs as France's SACEM (Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique) imposes new fees for music played during funerals. This decision, initiated by SACEM, aims to address the often overlooked aspect of copyright laws surrounding music used at funerary services.
An agreement was formalized on February 14, 2025, between SACEM and the major federations involved in the funeral sector — the Fédération nationale du funéraire (FNF), the Fédération française des pompes funèbres (FFPF), and the Union du pôle funéraire public (UPFP). This came after over a year of negotiations, climaxing with legal interventions.
From now on, funeral homes will be obligated to charge families either €5 for ceremonies featuring commercial music or €1 per ceremony if they opt to distribute the cost uniformly across all services, irrespective of whether music is played.
The financial aftermath of this new measure is significant, with SACEM expecting to collect between €700,000 and €800,000 annually. These funds will be distributed among music creators, ensuring they receive compensation for their work. "The musical works are the fruit of the work of authors and composers. Their distribution, including during funerals, implies respect for copyright, which constitutes their sole remuneration," emphasized SACEM on actu.fr.
This new fee structure is partly driven by the growing trend of incorporating music during funeral ceremonies. Indeed, SACEM and other funeral federations have acknowledged this cultural shift as over one lawsuit stated: "One ceremony out of four is subject to music requiring royalty payments." Popular choices for farewell music include heartfelt tracks such as Puisque tu pars by Jean-Jacques Goldman and Le Paradis blanc by Michel Berger.
Yet, not everyone is welcoming this change. Many families are outraged by what they perceive as financial exploitation during such sensitive times. One individual, Anne, voiced her concerns: "It shocks me a bit to think we have to seek money when people are grieving. I don’t find it very appropriate."
Criticism has also come from media personalities. Jean-Loup Bonnamy described the fee as "a bit indecent and out of step with common sense," labeling it as "vulture tax." Such reactions highlight the tension between respecting artists' rights and the emotional burdens families face during funerals.
Legal experts contend, though, the new fee is justified under copyright law. Lawyer Pierre Pérot clarified, "Whoever plays music said to pay royalties; there is only one exception under copyright law for use within the family circle or private occasions. The court ruled the usage during public ceremonies falls under copyright obligations."
This recent requirement follows significant developments, particularly one involving the Pompes funèbres générales (PFG). They had suspended royalty payments since 2019, asserting their ceremonies were private. This stance was countered by judicial rulings, resulting in PFG being ordered to repay over €69,000 to SACEM for unpaid royalties.
Véronique Bertrand, director of Lavigne Funeral Services, noted, "We put on music at every ceremony, whether it’s at the crematorium or graveside. These are small things people appreciate." She acknowledged the necessity of change, stating, “The businesses can readily cover this amount; it won’t harm our economy.”
Reflecting on the broader cultural implications, Stéphane Vasseur, director of SACEM’s regional network, stated, "Respect for copyright aligns with ensuring artists receive proper remuneration. This acknowledges the creative contributions artists provide even during funeral settings."
Despite the pushback, the implementation of this fee suggests ever-evolving relationships between commerce, art, and individual grief. Families will need to calculate how this additional cost factors alongside their funeral expenses, which average around €3,350 for burials and can reach upwards of €6,500 depending on services chosen.
Overall, this policy serves as both a reflection of artistry rights and the commercial realities of many aspects of public life, including the deeply personal experience of saying goodbye to loved ones.