Some airlines require cremated ashes to be transported via the cargo hold. [1] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source If you have the option of several flights, call each airline individually and choose the one which suits your needs the best.

Since legislation can change with short notice, and websites are not always updated right away, it’s best to call rather than to rely on information you find online.

Some countries will only allow ashes to be sent to and from licensed funeral directors. If you’re travelling internationally, you may need the funeral director to handle the travel arrangements.

In Yosemite National Park, for instance, visitors are allowed to scatter ashes as long as it’s away from the public and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from water.

If the permanent container for storing your loved one’s ashes is made of a material that can not be X-rayed, such as lead-based ceramic, stone, or metal, place the ashes in a temporary travel box and bring the permanent container separately. Most security agents will not open a container that contains ashes, both out of respect for the deceased as well as their own safety, so it’s important that they can verify the contents with the X-ray scan. [4] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source The maximum carry-on baggage size for major airlines is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so be sure your container fits within those measurements.

If you plan to keep the ashes in an urn, you can carefully pour them out of the plastic bag and into the urn once you reach your destination. [5] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source

If you’re flying into the United States and your documents are in a different language, you will need to obtain a certified English language translation to accompany the cremation and death certificates.