Mayor Gerard Lalanne posted an ordinance in the council offices advising the village's 260 residents that "all persons not having a plot in the cemetery and wishing to be buried in Sarpourenx are forbidden from dying in the parish."

It added, "Offenders will be severely punished," Homes Worldwide said.

The 70-year-old mayor, who is hoping to be re-elected in local elections, told journalists, "It may be a laughing matter for some, but not for me."