How Can You Transport Ashes From A Cremation?
If you were visiting out of state for a funeral and are receiving a portion of the ashes after cremation, you may be wondering about traveling constraints. Here are some steps to help you safely transport the ashes.
Receiving the Ashes from the Crematorium
Every crematorium is different, but it usually takes a week or less for the crematorium to deliver the ashes to you. If you are on a tight schedule, the crematorium can sometimes deliver the ashes a day after the cremation. If you haven't chosen an urn or a box yet, the crematorium staff will place the ashes in a plastic bag which is then placed inside a durable container with a lid.
Traveling with the Urn on an Airplane
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does allow people to bring urns when flying, but it's important that you check whether the urn can be in carry-on luggage or not. Some carriers may require the urn to be checked while other airlines may allow it in a carry-on bag. If you do decide to carry the urn with you on the flight, the airline staff won't open the urn out of respect. However, the urn will need to pass through an x-ray machine. Materials like plastic or wood are good choices for urns that need to pass through TSA. You can also get a sticker from TSA that shows that the urn is flight-ready. It can also be helpful to provide documentation from the funeral home if there are any questions and concerns from TSA.
Shipping the Ashes Instead of Traveling with Them
If you are worried about the TSA or carrying the ashes in the airport, you could opt to ship the urn home. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, only the United States Postal Service (USPS) is allowed to process cremated remains. Workers at the post office can help you properly package the urn so that it is safe and so that you can track the package through the mail. The urn will need to be cushioned and tightly wrapped in a sealed box. The post office should supply you with labels that will say "cremated remains," which you can affix to each side of the box. If you have to send the ashes overseas, you need to check the rules and regulations of the country it's being sent to; some countries will work with the post office, but others may not allow the entry of cremated remains.
If you still have questions about how to transport an urn, reach out to the funeral home or crematorium for more information on cremation.
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