local
Europe's record heat has overwhelmed Paris mortuaries and left families in distress
By John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
Key takeaway With all 32 places in his cold room taken, Zouhaeir Hertelli reluctantly has to gently say “Non,” over and over and over again.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The devastating impact of Europe's record heat wave on Paris mortuaries and families serves as a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness in our own community. As Pearland residents, we should consider the potential consequences of extreme weather events on our local infrastructure and social services. The city's emergency management plans and public health resources would be put to the test in the face of a similar disaster. It is crucial for our local authorities to review and update their strategies for mitigating the effects of heat waves, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Furthermore, the story highlights the need for adequate facilities and resources to handle unexpected surges in demand, such as mortuary services. By examining the challenges faced by Paris and other European cities, Pearland can learn valuable lessons and take proactive steps to ensure the well-being and safety of its residents in the face of extreme weather events.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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