Last Updated: September 13, 2023
Can You Take Ashes on a Plane? Everything You Need to Know
Whether you’re moving or fulfilling your loved one’s wish by traveling, you might need to take an urn on a flight.
This begs the question: Can you take ashes on a plane?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about traveling with ashes, what to expect, and how to prepare. Let’s dive in.
Table Of Contents Show All
Can You Carry Ashes (Cremated Remains) on a Plane?
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
You can carry cremated remains on a plane. If you have the correct documents, you’re good to go. Though, more often than not, this certificate might not even be necessary.
Carry-on Bag
TSA recommends travelers carry ashes in their carry-on bag instead of their checked luggage. That’s because checked suitcases might go through rough handling.
Additionally, if you don’t wrap the urn or container properly, you risk the ashes spilling all over your belongings.
That said, TSA also has a vigorous process for screening ashes. This includes passing the cremated remains through an X-ray machine or examining them using non-intrusive methods.
For this reason, you must ensure that the container passes through the x-ray. This means the urn should be made of wood or plastic, so you must purchase a temporary container.
Checked Luggage
You can carry ashes in your checked luggage. You don’t need any special paperwork or permits to do so. However, this might subject your checked bag to further screening.
The reason is that cremated remains containers are made of steel and other metals, which might alarm the inspection system. A smaller urn or a non-metal one would be better choices.
That said, TSA deals with the transport of remains on a daily basis. So, it’s unlikely that carrying ashes in your checked luggage will be a problem.
In any case, if your checked bags require a physical inspection, you’ll find a note detailing that your personal items have been handled by security staff. Keep in mind that TSA won’t open any container that has cremated remains, though.
Flying With Ashes on a Domestic Flight
Domestically flying with ashes is more common than you think. Fortunately, the TSA understands how stressful this situation is.
Accordingly, you won’t face any difficulties if you’re traveling with cremated remains. Still, it’s best to check with your local airline and the latest TSA guidelines.
Flying With Ashes on an International Flight
Each country has rules for flying with ashes. Generally, you can carry cremated remains on international flights, as long as you comply with the country’s laws.
For example, some countries might require a certificate of death. Alternatively, other countries demand that you place the urn or container in another airtight box.
Airline Policies for Flying With Cremated Remains
While taking ashes on a plane isn’t illegal, this ultimately depends on your airline.
Some airlines only allow cremated remains in carry-on bags, while others don’t permit carrying ashes on the plane.
Furthermore, the airline might dictate a specific container or other paperwork to allow you to fly with ashes.
Simply put, you’ll most likely be able to travel with cremated remains. However, to avoid any hassle, it’s essential to check with your airline beforehand.
Here are some U.S. airline regulations:
- Delta: You need to bring a death or cremation certificate, and the container must be non-metal.
- United: The airline requires a death certificate, a disposition permit, as well as adherence to TSA guidelines.
- American Airlines: Cremated remains can only be in your carry-on luggage.
- Spirit: Other than TSA guidelines, the airline doesn’t have specific rules for flying with cremated remains.
- Frontier: You can fly with ashes in either checked or carry-on bags.
Documents Needed to Take Ashes on a Plane
TSA doesn’t require any documentation if you’re flying with ashes. If the TSA agent can scan the urn or cremation container, you’ll be able to board with the ashes.
Still, some airlines might need various documents. Additionally, if you’re traveling abroad, you’ll probably need to have your paperwork in check.
Accordingly, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, here are all the documents you should have when traveling with ashes:
Death Certificate
The first document you need to bring is a copy of the death certificate. This is to verify that you’re carrying human ashes and that the ashes in the container match the death certificate.
Cremation Certificate
Usually, the crematorium director will give you a note of cremation or a certificate confirming that the cremated remains match the death certificate. It also verifies that you’re responsible for the ashes.
Therefore, this document should include:
- The name of the deceased
- The deceased’s next of kin
- Certification ID
- Date of cremation
- Funeral home or crematorium information
- Crematorium’s signature
Disposition Permit
Some airlines need to ensure that the cremation is done legally. In this case, you’ll need to present a disposition permit.
Types of Urns Approved by TSA
You can travel with any type of urn, provided that it passes TSA screening. This means metal urns made of steel, aluminum, or brass won’t pass through airport security.
Still, traveling isn’t always a breeze. You need a sturdy urn that won’t break in your checked baggage or spill the ashes.
So, while ceramic and glass urns are great for keeping your loved ones with you at home, they’re just unsuitable for flying.
If you’re comfortable storing the ashes in a temporary container while traveling, using a TSA-approved urn is your best option.
Wrap urns and transparent plastic containers are particularly great. The reason is that they allow TSA agents to view the inside of the container without the need for an X-ray machine. Alternatively, you can use a wood or plastic urn.
The Cost of Flying Ashes
Though ashes need special considerations, you don’t need to pay to fly with ashes. After all, you won’t have to fill in any additional paperwork or take out any documentation.
Moreover, urns are legal to carry in both your carry-on or checked luggage, depending on the airline. There’s no extra payment for transportation.
If you’re transporting the urn in your checked luggage, you must ensure that it complies with the airline’s weight limits.
Most airlines permit up to 50 lbs per checked bag. Well, ashes can weigh about six pounds. If you choose a lightweight urn, you won’t have any trouble.
Still, if you don’t have enough room in your bag, you might be charged an overweight fee of anywhere between $100 to $200, based on the airline.
Tips for Flying With Ashes
Transporting cremated remains is stressful enough as is. To make this process significantly easier, preparation is key.
Here are some tips that’ll help you along your flight from the moment you book the tickets until you unpack:
Double-check the Airline and Destinations Regulations
By now, you probably know that each country and airline has rules regarding flying with ashes.
Typically, you can fly with ashes if they’re in the proper container. However, it’s important to double-check the specific regulations for each country and airline.
You’ll find this information on the airline’s website. As for the destination, the simplest thing to do is communicate with your consulate.
Consult With a Crematorium Director
Funeral home directors have seen it all. They’ll usually have all the information you need about the most suitable urn for traveling and how to pack it properly.
Carry the Appropriate Documents
Even if you’re flying domestically and the airline doesn’t require documents, you probably already have all the cremation paperwork.
Simply having a copy, even on your phone, will save you plenty of trouble.
Make Sure the Urn is Well-Sealed
Lastly, the most essential part of flying with ashes is to properly pack. That’s why you must pick a high-quality urn.
Additionally, place the urn in another airtight plastic bag. This way, if the urn breaks for any reason, the cremated remains will still be protected.
Alternative Ways to Transport Ashes
You might think flying with the ashes is the most secure mode of transportation. Yet, there are other, equally safe, methods to transport cremated remains, such as:
Air Shipping
Shipping urns by air is incredibly hassle-free. Thanks to IATA’s Compassionate Transportation Manual, you’ll have a step-by-step guide through the whole process.
Postal Services
Unfortunately, USPS is the only postal company to offer this transportation service. That said, they’re pretty reliable, providing all the information on their website.
Wrapping Up
Can you take ashes on a plane?
TSA permits travelers to bring ashes on a plane. Yet, everything you take on a plane must pass through an X-ray machine. Accordingly, it’s crucial to bring a non-metal urn.
That said, the airline and destination have the final say regarding taking ashes on the flight. Some airlines allow urns in checked bags only.
Furthermore, you might need extra documents depending on the destination country.
Typically, the crematorium director will have most of the information to guide you. Lastly, if you’re unsure about the rules and regulations of the airline or country, you might find all you need on their online website.
Courtesy of Wikimedia for the image header used.
RELATED POSTS:
CAN YOU TAKE AEROSOLS ON A PLANE?
CAN YOU BRING SPICES ON A PLANE?
HOW MUCH CASH CAN YOU CARRY ON A PLANE?
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
