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