Traveling with cremated remains
You can fly with or ship cremated remains in the U.S. The main thing is choosing a container that can be screened, and carrying the right paperwork.
Key points
- TSA permits cremated remains in carry-on bags, but the container must pass X-ray screening. Officers will not open the container, even if you ask.
- Choose a temporary or travel container made of plastic, wood or cardboard; dense metal or stone urns may not be screenable.
- Airlines set their own rules for checked bags; check with your airline before you fly.
- USPS is the only major carrier that ships cremated remains, using Priority Mail Express and a special label.
Flying within the United States
Security screening
The TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on baggage. The container must be able to be X-rayed: if officers can't see what is inside, the container will not be allowed through. Out of respect, TSA officers will not open a container of cremated remains. Containers made of lightweight materials such as plastic, wood or cardboard generally screen well; metal, stone or ceramic urns may not.
A common approach is to fly with the remains in the crematory's temporary plastic container (or a lightweight travel urn) and transfer them to a permanent urn at your destination.
Airline rules
Some airlines allow cremated remains in checked luggage and some don't, and policies change. Carrying them on board, where they stay with you, is usually simplest. Check your airline's policy before booking.
Documents to carry
- The certificate of cremation from the crematory
- A copy of the death certificate (useful though not always requested)
- Any permit for disposition or transit permit your funeral home provided
Shipping by mail
The U.S. Postal Service ships cremated remains domestically by Priority Mail Express and internationally by Priority Mail Express International where the destination country allows it. USPS requires:
- a sealed, sift-proof inner container inside a sturdy, cushioned outer box,
- identification of the contents, and
- a Cremated Remains label (Label 139) on the outside of the package.
USPS offers a free Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains Kit and publishes packaging instructions in Publication 139. Many funeral homes will ship remains for families. Private carriers generally do not accept cremated remains.
Traveling internationally
Each country sets its own rules for bringing in cremated remains. Some require a death certificate, a cremation certificate, translations, or advance permission. Contact the destination country's embassy or consulate well ahead of travel, and check the airline's policy for international flights.
Driving
There are generally no special rules for carrying cremated remains in a private car. Secure the container so it can't tip, and keep the cremation certificate with you.
If you are traveling to scatter
Check the rules at your destination before you go. For ocean scattering, see scattering ashes at sea. For parks and public lands, contact the managing agency.
Sources and references
- Transportation Security Administration: Cremated Remains (What Can I Bring?)
- United States Postal Service: Publication 139 — How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains
Rules, benefit amounts and prices change. Where a source is a government agency, check it directly for current figures. See our sources and fact-checking policy.
This guide is general educational information from Serene Farewells, an independent publisher. It is not legal, medical, financial or tax advice, and Serene Farewells is not a funeral provider. Laws and prices vary by state and provider. Spot an error? Tell us.