Traveling by Air with a Cremation Urn

If you wish to travel by air with a cremation urn then it’s important to know what’s required in respect of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) screening procedures. These procedures have been devised in such a way as to provide security for all passengers while at the same time remaining respectful to those traveling with the cremated remains of loved ones.

Regardless of whether you want to travel with it as carry-on baggage or checked baggage, your cremation urn must successfully pass the airport’s screening procedures. If you’re traveling with an urn as carry-on baggage, then it must pass through the airport’s x-ray machine. An urn that’s transported as checked baggage will be screened for explosive devices/materials using a number of techniques. However, it’s important to note that not all air carriers permit cremated remains as checked baggage so you should check with your air carrier or travel agent beforehand.

If you want to travel with your cremation urn as carry-on baggage and it cannot be successfully screened, then it won’t be allowed on board the aircraft. There is no documentation that will enable a passenger to bypass this security screening process, so you must ensure that your urn is able to comply with it. In addition, as a mark of respect for the deceased, screening personnel will, under no circumstances, open a cremation urn, even if requested by the passenger carrying the urn.

The TSA suggests transporting remains in a container made of lighter material than that typically used for cremation urns, such as wood, cardboard, or plastic, all of which can be successfully screened. Some of the more traditional types of urns can produce an opaque image when screened and, as a result, aren’t permitted through the security checkpoint. You can of course use an urn made from a lighter material as a temporary carrier for your cremated remains and then place the remains in a more permanent urn at an appropriate time later.

Provided you are well aware of the security requirements when traveling with a cremation urn, you shouldn’t have any problems. Ensure your urn is made from a material that will enable the security personnel to x-ray it successfully and you can rest assured that the experience will be just another step to finally laying your loved one to rest.

For further information on this matter, go to www.tsa.gov (the “For Travelers” page), or call TSA on 866-289-9673.

You can contact In The Light Urns directly at (800) 757-3488 for further information.