TSA Requirements for Cremation Urns

When the death of a loved one occurs you are put into a situation where many decisions need to be made in a relatively short amount of time. One of those decisions that few are prepared for is if you are faced with traveling with the cremated ashes or cremains of your loved one. As losing those that we love is not a daily occurrence neither is traveling with their ashes. Everlasting Memories has compiled all the necessary information needed to help you make your air travel with your deceased loved one simple and trouble free. The following TSA guidelines for transporting cremated ashes are to ensure the safety of the transport as well as provide some emotional relief for those that are unaccustomed to these procedures.

When traveling with cremated ashes it is important to first check with the airline that you are considering traveling on to see if they allow crematory remains to be brought on board the aircraft as checked baggage. Often times airline personnel can not only answer your questions about their particular airline policies but also can provide information on the types of containers needed, etc. You can also contact the Transportation Security Administration for more information on airline policies.

An important factor when flying with the cremated ashes of your loved one to consider in the container that you will be using to transport the ashes. The container needs to not only securely hold the cremains of your loved one but you also need to be certain that it will not give off an opaque image when passed through the x-ray machine. If the container cannot successfully pass through the x-ray machine then your package will not be allowed on board the aircraft. You can purchase a travel urn that will hold the cremains of one or more individual for a nominal fee and it important to note to security personnel that you are transporting cremated ashes through the security x-ray machine. At no point in time should any airport security individual or other personnel open or contaminate the cremated ashes of your loved one and this is strict policy with all airlines out of respect for the flying passenger and the deceased. Please note that regardless of the airline you are flying on that the cremated ashes must be screened. Documentation from a funeral home is not sufficient to render non-screening and strict airline policy states that every carry on must go through security x-ray screening.

The TSA is continually working with the funeral industry and airlines alike to provide a safe and easy passage for cremated ashes. They strongly urge contacting the individual airline before booking your travel to be certain of their guidelines and restrictions to carrying cremains on board the flight. Documentation is not enough and all carry-on baggage is subject to security screening. All carry-on urns should be of more than compatible nature to meet further carry-on regulations and we suggest that you carefully label all of your carry-on items and keep them in your possession.

Your cremated ashes can also be sent on board the aircraft as checked luggage and as such are subject to screening. It is our suggestion as well as that of the TSA's that you make clear to airport personnel that are handling your baggage that you are transporting cremated ashes so that the deceased are respected and the appropriate baggage markers are placed on your container. At no point in time should the cremation urn be opened and inspected individually by airport personnel and all airports adhere to these strict guidelines and policies.

In the event that travel is international the same rules and regulations generally apply. However, in those instances when the cremated ashes will be unaccompanied the TSA suggests that you contact your preferred airline to check with having the ashes sent as cargo. The same is true for caskets as well and all airline customer service agents should have sufficient information to assist you with sending the cremated ashes of your loved one via air travel in cargo or on board the aircraft.

You can bring your cremated ashes with you as:

• carry on baggage
• checked luggage
• unaccompanied

Everlasting Memories has a beautiful array of unique cremation urns that can be shipped anywhere in the world and will help you honor and recognize the impact a loved one had on your life. These stunning urns are available in different materials and sizes and will hold cremated ashes equaling anywhere from 140 to over 400 cubic inches. Several can be further customized with brass or silver plates and you can add a small sentiment that reminds you of your loved one as personalization. We can time the shipping of your urn for ashes so that it arrives as you arrive at your destination barring any unforeseen circumstances and we would be happy to assist you with any airline questions or concerns with transporting the cremains of your deceased loved one.

The TSA has very concise and clear rules and policies when it comes to traveling with the cremated ashes of your loved one. They are respectful of those that you have lost and have set forth policies that will make traveling with your crematory remains as easy and trouble free as possible. Contacting your chosen airline ahead of time is the first step in traveling with the cremated ashes as every airline's policies may differ slightly and you should be confident and aware of those policies before reaching the airport.

It is important that the ashes be placed in an urn that will not show an opaque shadow when placed through the x-ray machine if you are planning on carrying on the urn. Purchasing an inexpensive traveling urn that is specific to those needs is your best assurance that you will not run into any challenges. Airline security will never open or touch the cremated ashes of your loved one and in fact are prohibited from doing so. For additional help or questions with regards to traveling with the cremated remains of your loved one, please contact our customer service.