News flash from the funeral industry in France. Since the decision of the Paris judicial court on January 31, 2024, OGF, owner of general funeral services, has been obliged to pay royalties to Sacem (Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique) for the broadcasting of music during funeral ceremonies, after suspending its payments in 2019 in the face of a 72% tariff increase.
Although most funeral ceremonies take place in a small, intimate circle, the courts have ruled that the broadcasting of music in this context is not private but a commercial service, subject to royalties. A flat fee of 25% was negotiated between the Fédération des Pompes Funèbres and Sacem, based on the fact that one ceremony in four includes paid music. From now on, funeral directors will have to transmit their playlists to Sacem to ensure distribution of rights to the artists.
While this tax should generate between €700,000 and €800,000 a year for Sacem, grieving families will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets. There are several possible options: a €5 increase on ceremonies with paid music (but free distribution of royalty-free music), or a €1 contribution across the board for all funeral customers.
A change that is sure to provoke debate, between respect for the artists and an additional "burden" on bereaved families, music during farewells will never again be a detail... but a cost to be anticipated.
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