Repatriation from Bordeaux, France

Repatriation from Bordeaux to the UK runs 7 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Where the procureur de la République orders a judicial investigation — which is mandatory for any death that is sudden, unattended, or unexplained — the minimum extends to 14 to 21 days. The French process is methodical and the documentation requirements are specific; understanding the sequence before it begins saves time.

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) operates direct flights to London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and other UK airports. It is a well-connected regional airport and the cargo infrastructure is established for international repatriation.

What drives timeline variation

Physician-certified natural death (7–14 days): A médecin certifie the cause of death. The death is registered at the mairie (town hall) or état civil office. A certificat de décès is issued. Export authorisation (certificat de cause de décès and laissez-passer mortuaire) is prepared by the approved Bordeaux funeral director (entreprise de pompes funèbres habilitée). BOD cargo booking made. Typical documentation-to-departure: 4 to 8 working days.

Procureur involvement (14–21 days): Deaths that are sudden, violent, or where the cause is not clearly natural are reported to the procureur de la République. A médecin légiste (forensic pathologist) examines the body. If the procureur orders a full autopsie judiciaire, this adds 5 to 15 working days before the body is released. All documentation is then processed in sequence.

Holiday and seasonal closures: France observes more public holidays per year than most comparable European countries. Bastille Day (14 July) and the August holiday period (15 August) can slow mairie and état civil processing significantly. Summer deaths in the Gironde region should factor in potential August delays.

Source: Ministère de la Justice France, Procureur de la République, 2024; Service Public France, Déclaration de décès, 2024.

BOD cargo and UK routes

British Airways operates BOD-LHR direct. Air France and other carriers also use BOD. The approved Bordeaux funeral home manages the cargo booking and the preparation of the laissez-passer mortuaire, which is the French document authorising transport of the deceased across international borders.

Documentation required for export from Bordeaux:

• French certificat de décès (état civil certified copy)
• Laissez-passer mortuaire (French international transport permit)
• Procureur release where applicable
• Embalming certificate (unless air-sealed container equivalent used)
• Airline cargo booking confirmation (BOD-LHR)
• Passport of the deceased

British consular contacts

The British Consulate General in Bordeaux (353 Boulevard du Président Wilson) covers the Aquitaine and surrounding regions. This is the correct first consular contact for Bordeaux and south-west France deaths. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Key local considerations

Bordeaux and the Gironde region attract a substantial number of British long-term residents and second-home owners, particularly in the Entre-Deux-Mers, Médoc, and Dordogne areas. Residential deaths among this community are among the most common repatriation cases originating from the region.

For deaths in the Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, or Gers departments, road transfer to Bordeaux adds 1 to 2 hours but does not affect the legal process, which is handled through the relevant département’s état civil.

For guidance on next steps, contact our team via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.

Information based on Service Public France death registration guidance and FCDO Bordeaux consulate documentation. Last reviewed May 2026.