November the 6th, 2025 – Here is some key information to keep in mind as we approach Jean-Michel Nicolier’s funeral at 13:00 in Vukovar.
As Net.hr/Jakov Sedlar writes, Jean-Michel Nicolier, whose remains were officially identified last week, will be laid to rest in Vukovar, the place he gave his life for, today at 13:00. His remains were discovered in a mass grave at Ovčara, along with those of Croatian defenders Josip Batarelo and Zorislav Gašpar, as well as Dragutin Štit at Petrovačka dola.
farewell and thank you, jean-michel – key points to know
The final farewell will be bid to the heroic Frenchman Jean-Michel Nicolier today at 13:00
His funeral will be held at the Memorial Cemetery of the Homeland War Victims in Vukovar (Memorijalno groblje Vukovar)
At 14:00, a mass will be held at the Church of Saints Philip and James (Crkva Sv Filipa i Jakova)
Estimates say that 10,000-20,000 people are expected to attend, with free train transport from anywhere in the country to Vukovar and back again arranged for all
Lyliana Fournier, Jean-Michel’s mother, has kindly asked everyone not to buy flowers and candles, and to instead donate money to the St. Bono Association
The request has also been issued for people wanting to pay their respects to not approach Jean’s mother at the cemetery in order to not overwhelm her further, but instead to do so after the mass
Jean-Michel Nicolier’s mother has provided a book of condolences for messages dedicated to her beloved son, the first person to sign it was Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Tomo Medved.
lyliane fournier continues her son’s legacy in helping vukovar
Ivana Ivanovic/PIXSELL
As touched on above, Jean-Michel Nicolier’s mother, Lyliane Fournier, has asked everyone not to buy flowers and candles, but to instead donate money to the St. Bono Association, which helps the elderly and the infirm at the Vukovar Parish of St. Philip and James.
“We were certainly touched by her enormous gesture. Her son, who defended Vukovar, laid down his life for us, and he’s continuing to help through his mother’s wishes. It’s not just a nice gesture, it’s above all an act of ongoing love for Vukovar,” Tonio Vučemilović, guardian and parish priest of St. Philip and James in Vukovar, told RTL Danas.
Some of Jean-Michel’s loyal comrades-in-arms had already gathered in Vukovar on Wednesday evening, and his comrade-in-arms and best wartime friend Damir Markuš also came to pay tribute to the Frenchman he got to know so well during such trying times.
“I’d like to ask everyone to come, let’s pray in silence. I’d ask that they not approach Jean’s mother at the funeral itself, there will be thousands of people present. There is a mass at 14:00, so I’d ask those who want to hug her, shake her hand, offer their condolences and gratitude etc to do so after the holy mass,” said Markuš.
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