Airports have a way of turning even simple errands into something that feels high-stakes. When you’re traveling with a loved one’s ashes, the pressure can feel even heavier—not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because you’re carrying something that matters. The good news is that, in most cases, flying with cremated remains can be straightforward when you know what TSA can and can’t do, how to choose the right container, and what paperwork is worth having in your pocket.
More families are navigating this kind of travel now. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025 (with burial projected at 31.6%). As cremation becomes a more common choice, questions about what to do with ashes, how to memorialize across distance, and how to travel with remains are becoming part of everyday funeral planning, not a rare situation.
This guide is designed to be calm and practical. It walks you through what happens at security, what to say if you’re asked questions, how airline rules may differ, and how to reduce screening problems by choosing the right container. It also covers what to do once you arrive—whether you’re transferring ashes into keepsake urns, a permanent urn, or cremation jewelry.
Before you book: decide what “travel” means for your family
For some families, “traveling with ashes” means bringing a small amount to a memorial service in another state. For others, it’s a final trip to a scattering place that mattered—an ocean overlook, a lake cabin, a family cemetery, or a beloved hometown. And sometimes it’s not about ceremony at all; it’s simply moving your loved one’s remains to where you live now so you can start healing.
There’s no single right approach. But the decision you make here will shape everything that follows—especially what container you carry and whether your plan includes keeping ashes at home, water burial, or dividing ashes among relatives with small cremation urns or jewelry.
If you’re still sorting out the bigger plan, Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn that fits your plans is a helpful place to start, because it frames the choice around real-life scenarios instead of product types.
TSA basics: what screening really looks like for cremated remains
TSA’s guidance is clear on the big question: yes, you can fly with cremated remains. TSA allows cremated remains in both carry-on and checked baggage, but the checkpoint experience hinges on one key detail: the container must be able to pass through the X-ray machine clearly.
Here’s the part that surprises many families: TSA will not open the urn, even if you ask them to. If the X-ray image is too opaque to determine what’s inside, TSA may not allow the container through the checkpoint. That’s why the material matters so much. TSA specifically suggests using “lighter weight material, such as wood or plastic” to help screening go smoothly.
If you remember only one TSA rule, make it this: choose a container that is X-ray-friendly, because TSA’s respect policy means they won’t resolve uncertainty by opening it.
The container choice: the single biggest way to avoid delays
Most screening stress comes down to the urn material, not your documents or what you say. Dense or heavily shielded materials can create an opaque image on X-ray. TSA’s own language warns that if the image is opaque, the container will not be allowed through.
A simple way to reduce risk is to travel with a temporary, X-ray-friendly container for the flight, then transfer the ashes later into the memorial urn you truly want for home display or burial.
If you’re shopping for a permanent memorial, you can browse Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns for ashes here: Cremation Urns for Ashes. If your plan includes sharing among relatives, Funeral.com’s small cremation urns and keepsake urns collections are designed specifically for holding a symbolic portion rather than everything.
And if this trip is for a companion animal—because yes, pet grief counts too—these pages can help you choose pet urns for ashes that feel worthy of the love you carried: pet cremation urns, pet figurine cremation urns, and pet keepsake cremation urns.
Airline requirements: the rule is “check your carrier,” even if TSA says yes
TSA sets checkpoint rules, but airlines can have their own restrictions—especially around checked baggage. TSA explicitly notes that “some airlines do not allow cremated remains in checked bags,” which is why many families choose carry-on for peace of mind.
Policies also vary in the details: whether the urn counts toward your carry-on allowance, whether a document is required, and whether the airline has special handling guidance. As one concrete example of carrier-specific rules, Southwest’s support guidance notes that cremated remains must be inspected at the security checkpoint and says they recommend transporting remains in a temporary plastic or cardboard container for screening compatibility.
If you’re traveling internationally, expect more variability. International standards and documentation expectations can differ widely by destination country; organizations like IATA publish guidance for air transport of human remains because requirements aren’t harmonized across borders. Here are two helpful IATA starting points: Compassionate Transportation Manual (IATA) and IATA Knowledge Hub overview. In plain language: for international travel, checking the destination country’s entry rules matters just as much as TSA.
What to say at security if asked
You don’t need a speech. You don’t need to “announce” anything to the whole line. Most of the time, you’ll simply place your bag on the belt and proceed like any other traveler.
If you are asked a direct question, keep it simple and factual: “These are cremated remains,” and “The container needs to stay sealed; it should be X-rayable.” That’s it. TSA’s own policy emphasizes respect for the deceased and acknowledges the sensitivity of the situation. You are not doing something suspicious—you are doing something tender and ordinary.
The practical checklist: pack like you’re preventing problems, not proving something
A checklist can feel oddly comforting when grief makes your brain foggy. Use this as a “leave the house” scan.
What to put in your carry-on
Carry-on is usually the smoothest choice because it reduces the risk of loss, delays, or rough handling. TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on bags, but the container must clear screening.
- The X-ray-friendly container (ideally wood or plastic, not a dense metal that may appear opaque).
- A copy of the death certificate and/or cremation certificate if you have it (not every airline asks, but it can help when questions come up).
- A printed copy or screenshot of TSA’s “Cremated Remains” guidance on your phone for reassurance in the moment.
- A small, sealable plastic bag and soft padding to stabilize the container inside your carry-on.
If you’re carrying only a portion of the remains, consider using cremation necklaces or other cremation jewelry as an alternative for “close carry” during the flight, while the main urn travels separately with another family member. Funeral.com’s Cremation Necklaces and Cremation Jewelry collections are designed for tiny portions of ashes in secure compartments.
What to avoid packing for the flight
Avoid putting ashes into a container that is likely to appear opaque on X-ray. The risk here isn’t “extra screening”—it’s being told the container can’t pass because TSA cannot verify the contents visually and will not open the urn.
Also avoid last-minute transfers at the airport. If you plan to move ashes into a different container, do it calmly at home or at your destination, not in a restroom stall under time pressure.
Coordinating with the airline: one phone call can save a lot of stress
If you have the emotional bandwidth, contact your airline before travel and ask two questions: Do you allow cremated remains in carry-on? Do you have any special instructions (documents, size limits, or whether it counts toward carry-on allowance)?
Even if the representative sounds casual, write down what they tell you. Policies can vary across carriers, and TSA itself reminds travelers to check with the airline for restrictions—especially for checked baggage.
If your plan involves water burial or scattering at your destination
Sometimes the travel is a bridge to the ceremony. If your destination is the ocean, a lake, or a river, your planning may include water burial or a scattering service. Funeral.com’s article on what happens during a water burial ceremony explains common options—like biodegradable containers and timing—so you’re not improvising on the shoreline.
If you’re considering a biodegradable option for ceremony use, Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection includes styles often chosen for scattering and water ceremonies.
After you arrive: transferring ashes into a keepsake or permanent urn
Arriving can bring relief—and then a second wave of “now what?” because travel is only one step in the memorial story.
Many families choose to keep the ashes in a temporary container during the trip, then transfer them at home into a permanent memorial. If you plan to create multiple tributes, this is where keepsake urns and small cremation urns become especially meaningful: one main urn for home, plus keepsakes for children, siblings, or close friends. For pets, the same sharing approach can be done gently with pet keepsake urns.
If you’re unsure whether you want the ashes visible in daily life or tucked away, Funeral.com’s guide to keeping ashes at home offers practical advice on placement, safety, and navigating different comfort levels within the family.
Travel and cost: keeping it practical during funeral planning
When travel is involved, costs can add up quickly: flights, lodging, time off work, and memorial items like cremation urns for ashes or cremation jewelry. If you’re trying to plan responsibly, Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost breaks down common price ranges and what actually drives the total.
And if you’re choosing between a permanent urn now versus later, it’s okay to remember this: a temporary container is still a respectful container. You’re allowed to make the “right” choice in stages.
A final note for your peace of mind
Traveling with ashes is one of those tasks that feels like it should come with a script—yet most people are doing it for the first time while they’re grieving. If you’d like a Funeral.com-specific walkthrough focused purely on airport reality (screening, documents, and travel-friendly urn choices), you can also read Funeral.com’s guides on traveling with cremation ashes and flying with cremated remains.
