Incentives matter: french file

According to the Adam Smith Institute

A french mayor has banned residents from dying in his village unless they own a plot at the cemetary – under threat of 'severe punishment'. The village of Sarpourenx is banned from enlarging its graveyard.

Negative incentives can change behaviour, but I'm just not sure how bad the 'severe punishment' would have to be to stop residents of the village dying! A fate, truly, worse than death would be needed.