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Traveling with Cremated Remains

Transporting cremated remains is becoming very common with the rise in cremation and families’ wishes to be scattered in a favorite place or buried in a family plot. The loss of loved ones is an emotional experience — adding in the additional stress of air travel with the ashes of the deceased can elevate an already precarious emotional state. Knowing what to expect when you arrive at the airport with cremated remains can make the process a little less taxing mentally and emotionally.

The first step in successful travel with cremated ashes is to contact the airline(s) directly to see what their policies are. Take care to contact each airline if connecting flights route through multiple airlines. Some airlines such as Delta give passengers the option of checking the cremated remains as carry on item or as checked baggage like typical luggage. Other airlines require cremated ashes to be sent only via cargo. Contacting the airline will help ensure that you are not held up for unnecessary and preventable reasons.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a clear process for screening crematory remains. Their officers routinely conduct these types of screenings throughout our nation’s airports. Crematory remains in carry on must pass through the X-ray machine to be screened. If the X-ray operator cannot clear the remains, TSA may apply other, non-intrusive means of resolving the alarm. If the officer cannot determine that the container does not contain a prohibited item, the remains will not be permitted.

“Our guidelines for traveling with crematory remains are not intended to make this already emotionally difficult process more complex than needed. However, crematory remains are one of the many sensitive items that could be exploited by someone wanting to conceal a dangerous item. TSA officers are trained to treat all travelers’ belongings with care and respect and will not open containers with cremated remains, even if the passenger requests this be done.”, says TSA Social Media spokesman, Bob Burns.

A past TSA officer in both passenger checkpoint and checked baggage serving as a Passenger Support Specialist recommends “travelers place cremated remains in their carry on luggage. It allows the traveler to be present during screening and for the officer to inform the traveler what additional actions, if any, will be required to clear the remains.” Checked bags are subjected to rapid and sometimes rough movement along a series of conveyor belts as they make the trek to and from the aircraft. Checked bags are only in TSA’s possession for a fraction of their journey to the aircraft.

The TSA suggests you purchase a temporary or permanent crematory container made of a lighter weight material, such as wood or plastic. If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image, TSA officers will not be able to clearly determine what is inside the container and the container will not be allowed. Securing the container in a clear zip-lock bag with the Certificate of Cremation may seem overly precautious, but may also help with seamless travel. Some airlines such as Jet Blue require this documentation as well as a certified copy of death. Not every airline requires this documentation, however, it does help with validity of the carry on baggage and it’s contents.

Contacting the airline(s) you will be travelling with for their policies, securing the ashes in a container acceptable to pass through X-ray machines as a carry on item and carrying the Certificate of Cremation and a certified copy of death will best prepare you for travel with the cremated remains.

Below, find additional helpful frequently asked questions and links on transporting remains:

How big of a container can I put the ashes in?

The maximum carry-on baggage size for all major airlines is 22” x 14” x 9”. The cremated ashes container cannot be any larger than these measurements. The urn can be stored in your carry-on baggage upon arrival onto the aircraft but will have to be removed from baggage at the security check point and passed through the X-ray.

Do I need any kind of documentation when I travel with ashes?

If you have the Certificate of Cremation it is a good idea to bring that with you to the checkpoint as authentication that the baggage is in fact cremated ashes.

What instructions do I give to the funeral director to prepare the ashes for travelling?

Ask that the cremated ashes be place in a non-metallic shipping container. Often times the ashes will be placed in plastic bag inside the container for added protection and the funeral home typically supplies airline supported containers that will pass airport X-ray machines.

What kind of containers acceptable to pass through the x-ray machine?

Scan-able containers include: cardboard, fiberboard, cloth, plastic, transparent glass and wood. Non-scan-able containers are prohibited for carry-on baggage and consist of containers that are metal, stone or ceramic.

I’m uncomfortable sending the urn through the x-ray machine. Can I carry it through the metal detector?

The ashes are sent through the X-ray typically while you are walking through the metal detector and you can be at the end of the conveyor to receive them. If at any point in time the TSA has a question about the contents or the container needs to be sent through, your baggage will be handled with the upmost care and respect.

Where can ashes be stored or scattered after cremation?

In Florida, there are no state laws that restrict where you may keep or scatter ashes. Cremation ashes may be stored in a crypt, niche, grave, or container at home. If you wish to scatter ashes, you have many options. Cremation renders ashes harmless, so there is no public health risk involved in scattering ashes. Use common sense and refrain from scattering ashes in places where they would be obvious to others.

Scattering ashes in an established scattering garden. Many cemeteries provide gardens for scattering ashes. If you’re interested, ask the cemetery for more information.
Scattering ashes on private land. You are allowed to scatter ashes on your own private property. If you want to scatter ashes on someone else’s private land, you should get permission from the landowner.
Scattering ashes on public land. Check both city and county regulations and zoning rules before scattering ashes on local public land, such as in a city park.
Scattering ashes on federal land. Officially, you should request permission before scattering ashes on federal land. You can find guidelines for scattering ashes on the websites for some national parks.
Scattering ashes at sea. The federal Clean Water Act requires that cremated remains be scattered at least three nautical miles from land. If the container will not easily decompose, you must dispose of it separately. The EPA does not permit scattering at beaches or in wading pools by the sea. Finally, you must notify the EPA within 30 days of scattering ashes at sea.
The Clean Water Act also governs scattering in inland waters such as rivers or lakes. For inland water burial, you may be legally required to obtain a permit from the state agency that manages the waterway.
Scattering ashes by air. While there are no state laws on the matter, federal aviation laws do prohibit dropping any objects that might cause harm to people or property. The U.S. government does not consider cremains to be hazardous material; all should be well so long as you remove the ashes from their container before scattering.

TSA and Airline information

Transportation Safety Administration 1-866-289-9673

American 1-800-433-7300

Delta 1-800-221-1212

Frontier Airlines 1-800-432-1359

Jet Blue 1-800-538-2583

Southwest Southwest 1-800-435-9792

United 1-800-864-8331

Going ‘Green’ for your Funeral?

There are many ways to embark on the journey to the great beyond. For most of American history, there have been a few staples we’ve come to expect of funerals: a coffin of choice, subdued flower arrangements, a grave-site burial and the traditional granite headstone.

However, these staples aren’t necessarily needed in honoring our loved ones.

More recently, Americans are exploring the direction of “green” burials.

The rising trend of “green” funerals has to do with a growing effort to “green-ify” the burial process. Green burials do away with both the embalming chemicals and the extraneous cement, steel or other non-biodegradable materials conventional burials put into the earth and lack the carbon footprint of cremation.

Consider this: Typical American funerals are responsible each year for over 30 million board feet of casket wood, 90,000 tons of steel, 1.6 million tons of concrete for burial vaults and 800,000 gallons of embalming fluid. Cremation can be an environmental shocker of it’s own with the incineration process emitting dioxin, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

“Green cremation” processes including liquid cremation (or alkaline hydrolysis) claims to be one of the least damaging methods for the environment and ‘possibly the most peaceful way to be put to rest’ (However, this process is legal in only 14 states, and at this point is quite costly.).

Forgoing a funeral or memorial service is often seen as the easiest and most cost effective alternative. However, the least expensive choice is not always the best one. Grief experts universally agree that having a ceremony for your departed is a significant part of the healing process.

If cremation is the right option, there are limitless eco-friendly options that can be used in honoring the dead. From bio-degradable urns for water burials to eco-friendly urns for earth burials (often made from hemp, cardboard, or bark), green burial products are easily obtainable.

Reasons for choosing one type of burial over another are as varied as you can imagine, but for many people it can come down to cost, environmental impact and legacy. Each option has its pros and cons, and it is important to consider the individual’s situation and honor their beliefs. Cremation, for example would still be a better choice than using a green cemetery miles and miles away if your carbon footprint is a concern.

In the end, the impact you leave on the environment after you die is far less important than the footprint you leave while you’re still alive. Contact Lifesong to explore the options that best fit your needs.

What exactly is a Cremation Society?

If you’ve made it this far you’re more than likely interested in cremation when your time on earth is over. And for good reason; cremation is much easier on your family members left with the task of arranging your funeral (which btw you should go ahead and take care of ahead of time so they don’t have to). But who do you turn do when cremation is the choice and the need for a provider arises?

Cremation Societies are nothing new although they may be new to Tallahassee. In fact the Neptune Society was founded in 1973 and operates as a subsidiary of Service Corporation International (SCI) aka “Dignity Memorial.” As the cremation rate in America grew, SCI saw a demand for a funeral service company that exclusively provided “direct” or “simple” cremations. A direct cremation simply means a cremation WITHOUT a ceremony.

Aside from cost, the Cremation Societies we know today aren’t much different from those of years past. They usually operate out of a strip mall and are dependent on a licensed funeral home & crematory establishment. This means they share the facilities, vehicles, equipment, and even employees so they can offer the exact same direct cremation services at a discounted rate. You might be wondering why the parent funeral home would allow the subsidiary cremation society to pirate their potential client families. It’s because there are other competitors in the market, some of them family owned, who usually offer cremation services at a lower cost. So the Cremation Society exists to better compete with the local firms.

Over the years, cremation societies have become known as the funeral provider of choice if a family desires a simple cremation. But as your local funeral & cremation provider, I urge you to do your due diligence. More often than not, your local funeral home is more competitive in pricing and more flexible and accommodating when planning a cremation. Your local funeral director isn’t working for commissions and has a vested interest in making their families happy so they’ll choose their firm again in the future. Take the time to meet with a funeral director at 2 or 3 different firms. Ask questions about pricing, how long they plan to be apart of our community, and operating procedures. What if I need help with VA benefits or scheduling the burial of Dad’s ashes at the Tallahassee National Cemetery? There are many aspects to consider when selecting a funeral home or crematory. But the most important thing is how the people within care for their client families.

The Cremation Process

2015 was the first year more people chose cremation than traditional burial for final disposition. In fact, the National Funeral Director’s Association predicts the national cremation rate to climb above 70% by the year 2030. Whether it’s cost considerations, flexibility, less religious constraints, or changing family preferences, there are many reasons families are choosing cremation.

More than half of the families who choose cremation decide to celebrate or commemorate their loved one in some manner. Some religious institutions require the ashes be present at the service. Other times due to the nature of the service, the family needs the ashes present (such as scattering or burying the ashes at the time of the service).

One concern we’ve experienced from families as a cremation provider is the availability of the ashes. A lot of individuals who’ve never previously arranged for a funeral aren’t aware Florida has a few laws regarding when the cremation can take place. Some families are under the misconception the cremation can be performed immediately after the death occurs. This is not the case and your local Crematory has to abide by these laws before they’re allowed to move forward. Your funeral director should communicate this to the respective family as soon as possible so memorial services can be scheduled accordingly.

Florida law requires a mandatory 48 hour waiting period from the time of death.
A death certificate must be signed by the deceased’s primary care or certifying physician.
The Medical Examiner has to review the cause of death certified by the physician and approve the cremation.
The funeral home now has approval to cremate and the Crematory can move forward.

It’s important to keep in mind, if a death happens on a Friday, the Doctor and Medical Examiner’s office is most likely closed on the weekend and major holidays. If this is the case, the death certificate will not reach them till the next business day.

Are Jewish Burials The Same As Green Burials?

Saving energy, recycling and conserving natural resources is becoming a way of life; It has to be! You see it everywhere these days… But I never thought it would affect was death care industry. But if you do a little research; history and religion tell you it’s not a new concept at all…..And Judaism as been practicing it since the beginning of time.

Green burials may not quite be on the rise or ever become as popular as cremation but it definitely has a lot of people’s attention. In fact, statistics show more people are becoming interested in a greener burial method. In 2015, 64 percent of adults 40 and older said they would be interested in green funeral options — options designed to have a lower impact on the environment, such as using biodegradable caskets and less chemicals in preparing the body for burial. That’s up from 43 percent in 2010, according to the Funeral and Memorial Information Council’s “Study of American Attitudes Toward Ritualization and Memorialization,” released in 2015.

What is a green burial?? Think no embalming; a biodegradable casket (made of wood, straw, etc.) or shroud and nothing preventing the body from decomposing naturally (such as a concrete vault or protective metal casket). The goal is to not pollute the earth with certain embalming chemicals, concretes and metals. And while Jewish burial practices are recognized for religious purposes, the requirements are the same.

Jewish religion prohibits embalming. The blood is considered part of the body and is to be buried with the deceased. A simple wooden casket and cotton or linen burial garments are utilized. A soft wood such as pine is preferred because it decomposes more rapidly. The casket is constructed without the use of any metal. And finally, placing the casket in direct contact with the earth is an important part of the “dust to dust” cycle.

If you think about the three main elements involved in a Jewish burial, it sounds very much like the “green burial” trend. The only difference is the reasoning behind the two. So if you’re interested in green burial options and not sure if your town has any green cemeteries, ask your funeral director about simply following Jewish burial traditions. While most cemeteries aren’t classified as “green cemeteries,” almost all can accommodate Jewish burials.