Can Ashes Be Transported Internationally On A Plane?

When taking ashes abroad on a plane, a special kind of cremation urn is needed to store the ashes safely and ensure smooth travel. It is important to note that no one is allowed to open the container holding the ashes out of respect for the deceased. The process can be simplified by following some guidelines, such as carrying ashes in checked bags or carry-on bags.

When traveling with ashes, it is essential to contact the embassy if you are traveling to another country. Some countries have no restrictions or requirements for traveling with cremated ashes, while others may not allow them to enter. When flying domestically, ashes can be brought as a carry-on with many airlines. However, some airlines require documentation, such as a death certificate and a suitable ash container. Ashes should never be put in the hold of an aircraft (unless adequately packaged when being shipped via AWB).

When traveling with cremains on an international flight, it is recommended to use a carry-on bag to protect the contents. If you plan to bring cremated remains on an international flight, you must first verify with the destination country’s requirements. Most airlines recommend using a non-metallic container for X-raying, which will help speed up the process.

Ashes do not need to be declared when carried on an airplane, but you may want to have a certificate of death. If you choose to pack ashes in carry-on baggage, the container must pass through the X-ray machine. If it is a recent death, work closely with your funeral home. There are no legislative requirements in relation to taking cremated remains across Australia or overseas.


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How do I declare ashes at the airport?

When leaving the country with cremated ashes, you need a death certificate, cremation certificate, certificate of sealing, and an attestation from the crematorium. Asses can be carried on a plane as long as they have a copy of the death certificate and a notification from the funeral director or crematorium. The ashes should be carried as hand luggage and sealed in a sealable urn or box without any metal.

After the loss of a loved one, offering the perfect resting place is essential. This can be done in the UK or abroad, with many people embracing the idea of scattering ashes in a meaningful location abroad.

Can I take a small amount of ashes abroad?
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Can I take a small amount of ashes abroad?

When traveling abroad, it is essential to use a special cremation urn to store ashes safely and ensure their safe transport. The urn should be made of non-metallic, scannable materials, such as wood, non-lead lined ceramics, plastic, or biodegradable materials like paper and glass. Passing through security checks is crucial for allowing the urn to be taken on the plane. The urn must be securely sealed to prevent spillage and should be carried as hand luggage, not in a suitcase. Temporary urns are recommended for long-distance transportation, as they can be damaged and can be used for various purposes. Adding a tag to the urn is also recommended to prevent confusion.

Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding the repatriation of ashes, and information can be found from various sources, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Consulates, Embassies, local authorities, funeral homes/crematoriums, international repatriation agents, and local funeral directors. By following these guidelines, ashes can be safely transported and stored in a proper manner, ensuring the safety and well-being of the deceased.

Can you take ashes abroad?

To transport ashes abroad, a special Overseas Certificate, also known as a Certified Copy of an Entry of Cremation, is required from the crematorium. This certificate provides details about the cremation and the entry number in the cremation register. While not mandatory, it is advisable to bring both the Death Certificate and the Cremation Certificate for peace of mind. It is also important to adhere to specific airline and country regulations, as each country has its own set of rules for bringing in cremated remains. Some countries may require customs notification upon arrival.

Can you throw ashes out of a plane?
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Can you throw ashes out of a plane?

If surviving relatives request aerial dispersal of ashes from an aircraft, more planning is required. Federal aviation regulations do not prohibit dropping items from an airplane, including ashes, if reasonable precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage. Pilots may also need to familiarize themselves with FAR 91. 119 relating to minimum safe flying altitudes.

Spreading ashes from an aircraft requires preparation and practice. The most common problem is that the swirling breeze blows the ashes around the cockpit, not out a window. To ensure the ashes are well away from the aircraft before they are released into the slipstream, a funnel with a plastic tube snaked out a window is often used. A better way is to tape a hose to a flexible plastic or nylon bag, pour the ashes through the tube, twist it shut, and shake out the ashes. This method is more effective in living rooms and moving cockpits.

How to pack ashes on a plane?

To carry ashes on Frontier Airlines, they should be in a container that can pass through airport security scanners. Suitable materials include plastic, transparent glass, cloth, cardboard, fiberboard, or wood. Avoid metal containers as they can interfere with X-ray machines. Bring necessary documents like a Certificate of Cremation to avoid hiccups. Policies on carrying ashes on domestic and international flights may differ, with some airlines having specific requirements for international travel. Travelers should be aware of country-specific regulations at both departure and arrival destinations to ensure a smoother and more respectful experience when flying with ashes.

Can airport scanners detect ashes?

All luggage, both carry-on and checked, undergoes X-ray machines or CT scanners. Some materials, like thick, dense ones, do not allow X-rays to pass through them. The TSA requires ashes and cremated remains to pass through the X-ray machine, and if the machine or TSA screener cannot see the contents, they will not allow it on the plane. To ensure ashes can pass through the X-ray machine, choose an approved urn made of wood, biodegradable materials, or plastic. Examples include Urn Vault, Biodegradable urn, or wood urn.

Can I bring human ashes into the USA?
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Can I bring human ashes into the USA?

Non-cremated remains must be fully contained in a leak-proof container, following legal requirements, to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids. This requirement is based on medical infection prevention and control practices, such as Standard Precautions, to protect the public and employees from potential exposure to diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and C. Cremated remains, clean and dry bones, human hair, teeth, fingernails, and toenails are not covered.

No permit requirements are required for the importation of human remains consisting entirely of non-cremated remains. The requirement is intended to protect the public and employees from potential exposure to blood and body fluids during transportation, inspection, or storage of human remains.

Are ashes allowed in flights?
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Are ashes allowed in flights?

The TSA and IATA guidelines allow cremated remains to be carried in both carry-on and checked baggage, but they require the container to pass through an X-ray machine. Some airlines may require specific containers or urns for ashes, so it’s important to check with the airline in advance. IATA doesn’t have specific guidelines for carrying cremated remains, but advises travelers to follow the country’s regulations.

Complying with these guidelines helps avoid travel complications during security check-ins, deboarding, and immigration procedures, ensuring respect and safety throughout the journey. Failure to comply may result in delays and unnecessary stress.

Can you bring ashes on a plane spirit?
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Can you bring ashes on a plane spirit?

Alaska Airlines may require a death certificate for ashes being transported as cargo. American Airlines offers TLC specialists to assist with flight preparation and security. Delta Airlines allows ashes to be transported in carry-on or checked luggage, with a certificate of cremation or death certificate required. Frontier Airlines requires well-insulated and sturdy containers for checked urns. JetBlue allows urns as carry-on items, but not counted against carry-ons.

Southwest Airlines recommends a temporary plastic or cardboard container for ashes. Spirit Airlines allows urns to be carried on or checked. United Airlines requires a death certificate or cremation certificate before flying with an urn. Regional airlines may also allow ashes transport.

Transporting ashes across state lines or to another country can be bureaucratic due to each country’s unique regulations and policies. It is important to consult with the airline or check the airline’s website before arriving at the airport with ashes.

Can you fly internationally with ashes?

A certified death certificate is a prerequisite for cremation; it is therefore advisable to carry it when traveling. Additionally, a burial transit permit is necessary. Individuals relocating to a different country are advised to consult the customs regulations of their final destination.

Can you take human ashes on a Ryanair flight?
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Can you take human ashes on a Ryanair flight?

Ash may be transported on an aircraft in cabin luggage, provided that the passenger in question presents a copy of the death certificate and cremation certificate. Medical equipment may be brought on board the aircraft free of charge, provided that it has been pre-cleared by the Special Assistance Team. The transportation of special medical items is contingent upon the approval of the Special Assistance Team.

Passengers are permitted to bring duty-free bags into the cabin, in addition to their standard carry-on luggage. Additionally, a small personal bag is permitted, provided that it has been pre-cleared.


📹 Come With Me While We Take Cremated Remains Through TSA Security

Kari the Mortician recently traveled to Santa Fe with her dog’s cremated remains to take them to Parting Stone company. She tookĀ …


Can Ashes Be Transported Internationally On A Plane?
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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9 comments

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  • I took my husbands ashes with me from the US to Scotland where he’s buried on the plane with me. I had to have a signed document showing it had been sealed from the funeral home showing it had not been opened or tampered with. The people at British Airways were absolutely fantastic. They knew it was a difficult time for me and they were just out of this world.

  • I brought my mother’s cremaines back home in my carry on. I used the plastic container and had the documents and it was absolutely no problem at all at tsa or the airport. Easiest thing I had to do since her death. The funeral home/crematorium will walk you through it and give you the necessary documents. Mine even gave me a check list.

  • Did this just a couple of months ago. The mortuary will help you select a TSA-compliant urn (e.g., the wooden example Kari provided). We informed TSA before the X-Ray/Scanner line that we had cremains. They took us aside, opened the carry on bag, removed the both urns, X-Rayed and swabbed both, and replaced them. It was handled respectfully and gently. I don’t know what the swabs are supposed to detect, but it was done gently and professionally by the officer. We offered the paperwork (DCs and the permit Kari mentioned, which my vary from state to state but it basically identifies the decedent as the cremains) but TSA chose not to review the documents. They expressed their condolences, repacked the bag they way they found it, and we were off. No issues with the airline. Hope this helps. Thanks, Kari.

  • We flew from Texas to California on United in April, 2022. We carried the cremated remains in a wooden box from Neptune Society on the airplane. No one from the airline asked us for documentation. They did go through the Xray machine. Nobody opened the box but it took about 10 additional minutes for TSA to also scan it separately. They were very respectful. It was heavy but it was important to my husband, so he carried them.

  • Uncle Willam died and he wanted his cremains to be placed in the family cemetery in Germany. The German consulate people were just insane. They were demanding that my wife and the cremains fly on separate flights! (This back in the ’90’s when Germany was in reunification mode) Willam wound up in a plastic bag in checked luggage. No problem getting him through customs! We still laugh about it! 😁

  • Your timing is funny. My sister and I were just talking about this because my sister is getting ready to move out of state and I am possibly going to also and we were talking about transporting our mom who recently passed at the end of February. We had her cremated because that was what she wanted and we were talking about how to best transport time. We got into the topic of flying.

  • Hi KARI good information even though I probably won’t ever be traveling with any cremated remains it is still interesting to know. 😊I have been a little side tracked as I have been following the LORI VALLOW DAYBELL murder case. It is so involved and a very sad story. 😢It’s out of Idaho. Have you heard of it?

  • Thank you for this information. I am about to travel to the US Virgin Islands with my mother cremation on American Airlines. The funeral home gave her remains to me inside of a box that had a bag with the ashes inside. However I’m making her a personalized cultured marble urn to be buried in. Is that type of urn able to go through the xray without a problem? I have read that it can, but now I’m wondering if I should leave her in the box from the funeral home then transfer the ashes there. Also is it true that all ashes must be sealed before going on the flight? The box can not be sealed but the cultured marble urn can. Also, do I need other documents from the funeral home? I have her certificate of death and cremation certificate? Do I need anything else? I will be taking her remains from there into the British territory. I have a permit for that. Sorry for the long message and all the questions, but this is very important to me.💔

  • I don’t know I know my sister has a keepsake urn of my mom she traveled from Rhode Island to Texas and back I don’t know where she had to do to get on with the keepsake urn I don’t know if it’s the same procedure as having the regular learn not only that urn was brass so I don’t know how that would go through the metal detector either