France's Heatwave Overwhelms Funeral Homes

France experienced a record-breaking heatwave in late June, causing a significant increase in excess deaths and overwhelming funeral services. Gautier Caton, a funeral director in Orléans, rented five refrigerated containers to store bodies, noting that his facilities received deceased from Paris due to regional overcapacity. The nation reported 2,025 excess deaths during this period, with temperatures reaching 43.8 degrees Celsius.

Experts warn that France faces a triple threat from a warming planet, an aging population, and a strained state budget. While measures have been improved since the 2003 heatwave, structural issues in cities, hospitals, and care homes remain unaddressed. The government has pledged funds for cooling hospitals and nursing homes, but critics argue it is insufficient.

Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable, with a significant percentage lacking communal air-conditioned spaces. Many residents spend their days in cooled rooms, while some elderly care facilities struggle with basic cooling methods. There are concerns that elderly people are not a political priority, despite the clear and present danger posed by extreme heat.