The day you fly with cremated remains doesn’t feel like a normal travel day. You may be heading home after a death away from home, traveling for a memorial service, or carrying a loved one to a place that mattered to them. In grief, an airport can feel too bright and too fast—especially at the security checkpoint, where everything moves on a clock you didn’t choose.
What helps most is replacing uncertainty with a plan. And because cremation is now common, more families are facing the same questions. The National Funeral Directors Association projects a 63.4% U.S. cremation rate in 2025, and the Cremation Association of North America reports the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024. That shift matters: when families are spread across states and generations, flying with cremated remains becomes part of modern funeral planning.
This guide focuses on flying with ashes American Airlines in 2026—what to expect at TSA, how to choose a container that screens smoothly, and how travel connects to decisions like cremation urns for ashes, pet urns for ashes, cremation jewelry, and what to do with ashes.
American Airlines cremated remains policy, in plain language
If you’ve searched American Airlines cremated remains policy, you’re probably asking one thing: “Can I keep the ashes with me?” American Airlines states that cremated remains are treated as a carry-on item and must fit under the seat or in an overhead bin. The airline also notes that some containers cannot be successfully screened, and it suggests contacting your funeral home if you need a more suitable container. For international routes, American advises contacting the local consulate or burial advisor for the country you’re traveling to or from. You can read the current guidance on American Airlines.
Because the urn is treated as a carry-on, your American Airlines urn carry on may count toward your carry-on allowance. The simplest way to reduce stress is to pack so the urn is protected and stable, and so you’re not forced to repack at the checkpoint with people behind you.
TSA screening: what actually happens at the checkpoint
The key rule: screening is required, and the container won’t be opened
People worry about TSA cremated remains rules for a good reason: TSA screening is required, and TSA will not open the container to “take a quick look.” In its “Traveling With Crematory Remains” guidance, TSA says cremated remains may be transported in carry-on or checked baggage, recommends carrying the urn onboard to reduce the risk of inadvertent loss, and explains that carry-on cremated remains must pass through the X-ray machine. TSA also states that “under no circumstances” will an officer open the container, even if the passenger requests it, and that if the officer cannot determine the container does not contain a prohibited item, the remains will not be permitted. See Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
This is why the phrase TSA approved urn is really shorthand for “X-ray friendly.” TSA doesn’t certify brands; the practical goal is a container that can be cleared by screening without being opened.
Choosing a container that’s most likely to screen smoothly
Dense materials can create an X-ray image that’s difficult to clear. Some airlines summarize this reality in practical terms. Delta notes that TSA suggests choosing a container made of lighter material such as wood or plastic that can be X-rayed, and that TSA is not allowed to open the container under any circumstance. (See the “Cremated Remains” section on Delta Air Lines.)
For many families, the calmest approach is a two-step plan: fly with a secure, X-ray-friendly travel urn for ashes, then transfer the remains into the permanent urn after you arrive (never in the airport). If you want a travel-focused walkthrough, Funeral.com’s Journal article TSA-Approved Urns: How to Fly With Ashes explains common material choices and packing tips in plain language.
Cremation urns for ashes: planning for travel and for after you land
The airport is only one chapter. After the flight, you still need a plan for where the ashes will live and what kind of memorial your family wants. A helpful starting point is Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection, then narrowing by purpose: home display, cemetery burial, columbarium niche, scattering, or temporary travel. If choosing cremation urns feels overwhelming, the Journal guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn walks through materials, styles, cost, and placement.
If you’re splitting ashes among relatives or traveling with only a portion, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can be both practical and emotionally gentle. If you’re unsure about capacity, Funeral.com’s urn size calculator and chart helps you match a container to real needs.
Keeping ashes at home, water burial, and deciding what to do next
Many families choose keeping ashes at home, at least for a while. That “home for now” plan is common, especially when relatives live far apart and decisions take time. NFDA reports that among people who prefer cremation, 37.1% would prefer their remains be kept in an urn at home, and 10.5% would like them split among relatives. (See NFDA.) If you want practical guidance on placement, privacy, and everyday safety, read Keeping Ashes at Home: A Practical Safety Guide.
If your travel is for a ceremony on the water, you may be weighing water burial versus scattering at sea. Those options differ in timing, container design, and how the ceremony unfolds. Funeral.com’s Water Burial vs. Scattering at Sea breaks down the differences so the day feels intentional, not improvised.
Pet urns and traveling with a companion’s remains
Sometimes the ashes you’re carrying belong to a dog or cat who made your home feel like home. If you’re searching for pet urns, pet urns for ashes, or pet cremation urns, the same TSA screening principles apply. Funeral.com offers collections for pet cremation urns, pet figurine cremation urns, and pet keepsake cremation urns, plus a supportive overview in Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide.
Cremation jewelry: a smaller way to keep someone close
Families who feel anxious carrying a full urn sometimes choose to carry a small portion in cremation jewelry, especially cremation necklaces. It can also be a gentle way to include relatives who aren’t traveling: one person carries the main urn, while others carry a tiny portion as a private memorial. If you’re exploring options, see Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces collections, along with Cremation Jewelry 101 for filling and care tips.
How much does cremation cost, and how planning reduces stress
In the middle of travel logistics, you may still be carrying financial questions: how much does cremation cost? NFDA reports a national median cost of $6,280 for a funeral with cremation in 2023, compared with $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial. (See NFDA.) Local prices vary, so treat national numbers as a reference point—not a quote. If you want a clearer breakdown of common fees and add-ons, read Cremation Costs Breakdown.
And remember: funeral planning doesn’t have to mean deciding everything right now. It can be as simple as naming the choices that prevent future panic—who carries the urn, what container you’ll use for travel, whether you’re keeping ashes at home first, and when your family will decide what to do with ashes together.
Frequently asked questions
-
Does American Airlines allow cremated remains as a carry-on?
Yes. American Airlines treats cremated remains as a carry-on item that must fit under the seat or in an overhead bin. The airline also notes that some containers cannot be successfully screened, so confirm your container choice before you fly.
-
Do TSA officers open urns at security?
No. TSA states officers will not open the container, even if requested. The container must be cleared by screening; if it cannot be cleared, the remains may not be permitted through the checkpoint.
-
What does “TSA approved urn” mean?
It’s a common phrase that usually means “X-ray friendly.” TSA does not certify urn brands; instead, the goal is a container that can be screened without being opened.
-
Should I bring a cremation certificate for travel?
American Airlines notes no special documentation is required for domestic travel, but many families carry paperwork for reassurance. For international travel, requirements vary, so contact the destination-country consulate early and carry originals and copies in your carry-on.
-
If family members are sharing ashes, what are the best options?
Keepsake urns, small urns, and cremation jewelry are common choices. They allow each person to hold a meaningful portion without transporting the full amount, which can be especially helpful when relatives live in different places.
