Transporting Cremains

[froglady]

I just discovered that a new TSA rule has been passed that states cremains must now pass through the x-ray screener, and the container must be made of a material that allows the contents to be seen(on x-ray). So no metal urns or ceramics with a lead based glaze. (I hope DM's wooden container will be allowed)

The TSA has suggested funeral homes offer containers that qualify, or the passenger can find a funeral home that is registered (with the TSA) to transfer the cremains to a permanent container at the other end free of charge. What is disturbing is that the TSA has suggested that funeral homes participate because it is an opportunity to sell an urn and other associated services to those transporting the cremains.

So your choices are to either purchase a wooden burial container right from the start, or transport your loved one in a cardboard box or cheap wooden box, and then be at the mercy of ANOTHER funeral director at the other end.

 

[BuckNaked]

While I understand the frustration, I don't see that the TSA has much choice in the matter, due to security. And I'm sure that their suggestion re: involving the funeral home is just a way for them to offer people ideas about what to do.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Is this recent? I took some of my grandfather's ashes with me when I went to Illinois last year. My mother took him to the funeral home where he'd been cremated and they used a black plastic container, with a note on the front (name of funeral home, address, phone number, and what was inside). Then they put that box into a velvet drawstring bag with the name of the funeral home on it as well. They also gave me a notarized statement to show security if I was stopped. No charge for any of it. I put the bag/box in my carry-on, carried the letter in my hand, but I went right through and no one questioned it.

Just curious...maybe I got lucky.

 

[froglady]

It was dated February.

I'm not frustrated, but I will be if I arrive at the airport and my container isn't suitable, so I can't make my flight. The only way I can be sure is to go to the original funeral home and have them transfer DM's ashes to a cardboard or plastic box, and ship the burial box. Maybe I could have it x-rayed somewhere instead?

I transported my father's cremains with no problem in 2002.

I posted this more as a warning to others who might be facing this problem in the future. If you plan on flying with the cremains, you have to choose a suitable container. I'm pretty sure that DM's will be OK, but it wasn't planned that way.

 

[froglady]

Is this recent? I took some of my grandfather's ashes with me when I went to Illinois last year. My mother took him to the funeral home where he'd been cremated and they used a black plastic container, with a note on the front (name of funeral home, address, phone number, and what was inside). Then they put that box into a velvet drawstring bag with the name of the funeral home on it as well. They also gave me a notarized statement to show security if I was stopped. No charge for any of it. I put the bag/box in my carry-on, carried the letter in my hand, but I went right through and no one questioned it.

Just curious...maybe I got lucky.

Your container was fine, so even had the rule been in effect then, you would not have had a problem.

 

[LiteBrite]

It was dated February.

I'm not frustrated, but I will be if I arrive at the airport and my container isn't suitable, so I can't make my flight. The only way I can be sure is to go to the original funeral home and have them transfer DM's ashes to a cardboard or plastic box, and ship the burial box. Maybe I could have it x-rayed somewhere instead?

I transported my father's cremains with no problem in 2002.

I posted this more as a warning to others who might be facing this problem in the future. If you plan on flying with the cremains, you have to choose a suitable container. I'm pretty sure that DM's will be OK, but it wasn't planned that way.

If you do have the cremains transferred to a plastic or wooden box for transport, could you just put the burial box in your checked baggage? It shouldn't be a problem in there.

 

[froglady]

If you do have the cremains transferred to a plastic or wooden box for transport, could you just put the burial box in your checked baggage? It shouldn't be a problem in there.

They are already in a sealed, wooden box, so I shouldn't have to move them. But unfortunately there's no way to be absolutely SURE, so it just adds something more to worry about while going through screening.

Most people would prefer that the cremains not be transferred from one container to another, especially if it would have to be done 3 times. Transfer from cremation to burial urn to box to burial urn again.

The burial box could be checked, and just hope that it doesn't get lost or damaged.

 

[LoraJ]

eeek! I have to figure out what we're going to do when we take DFi's dad's cremains down to New Orleans. I have no idea what they are in now. I think a tin can.

 

[KelNottAt]

So your choices are to either purchase a wooden burial container right from the start, or transport your loved one in a cardboard box or cheap wooden box, and then be at the mercy of ANOTHER funeral director at the other end.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I hope the following doesn't upset you...When my family was faced with this dilemma following my grandfather's death in 2003, we shipped him by FedEx. Perhaps that arrangement could meet your needs, too.

 

[froglady]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I hope the following doesn't upset you...When my family was faced with this dilemma following my grandfather's death in 2003, we shipped him by FedEx. Perhaps that arrangement could meet your needs, too.

You know, that might be the best solution. I'll be going up and staying with my brother & SIL, so it's not as if I don't have an addresss to ship to.

 

[NotUrsula]

Actually, FedEx and UPS do not take cremains if they know what they are. The USPS will ship them, but the private services will not.

I needed to transport cremains last summer, so I asked one of the TSO's on Flyertalk what I should do. He told me that SOP is to run it through the x-ray with a quarter underneath the container. If the quarter can be seen and identified, the contents are considered clear, and will go through. That should still work just fine if you are using a wooden box or ceramic urn.

A hard plastic cylinder with a thick plastic bag inside is the normal shipping package used for cremains that are destined to be scattered. Most people don't spend money on a special container if they plan to dispose of the contents. (Also, urns from funeral homes cost a mint. It is much less expensive to just buy a generic lidded urn and have a jeweler engrave and seal it.)