Can I travel with ashes on a plane? This is a question that many people ask when a loved one dies in a different city or even in a different country. The answer is that you can travel with the ashes of a deceased person on a plane, but there are certain requirements that must be followed when travelling. At Stelae we will clarify any doubts you may have and give you some advice so that you don't have any problems during the transportation of the ashes.
Pre-travel preparations
There are a series of legal requirements that need to be followed when a loved one is cremated, but this is only until the ashes are handed over to the family. After that, you can travel with the ashes of a family member without any problems, even by plane.
Although travelling with human ashes by plane is not an issue, as there are no health restrictions in this respect, it is important to take into account some prior considerations in order to prepare for the trip without incident.
- Travelling with ashes by plane within Spain is not the same as travelling from a different country, as there may be regulatory requirements at the point of origin that must be met.
- The regulations of each airline are different so you will have to check the policies that affect your flight in order to make your boarding and journey as easy as possible.
If in doubt, contacting the embassy or consulate and the airline will help you plan your journey if you are flying with ashes.
Requirements and documentation for travelling with ashes on an aircraft
Although there is generally no problem travelling with ashes by plane, you may have to comply with certain requirements to avoid inconveniences during the journey. What is needed when travelling with ashes by plane?
A labelled urn
The airline usually asks you to travel with the ashes in a well-sealed and labelled urn.
It is normal to add the full name of your loved one to the urn in case any checks need to be made and to avoid any possible incidents during the journey.
Death certificate
Although there is no specific rule, it is always best to carry the death and cremation certificate of your loved one with you when flying with their ashes on board. This way, if necessary, you can easily prove that you are travelling with your relative’s ashes.
Also, if the airport authorities wanted to do some verification, the process would be easier, especially if you are travelling from outside the country.
Airline Protocol
Each airline company has its own policy when travelling with ashes by plane. This means you need to make sure what the requirements of the company you are travelling with are.
Most will allow you to fly with ashes in your hand luggage. They should always be in their funeral urn and, if possible, properly covered and concealed. They should also be wrapped in packaging to protect them from breakage. Failure to do so is likely to result in you being asked to put the ashes in the hold of the aircraft.
It is important to find out about this because it may also be the case that the airline, especially if it is foreign, will only allow ashes to travel by plane if they are carried in the cargo hold.
Advice for transporting the ashes
To avoid inconvenience when travelling with ashes by plane, it is best to take your own precautions before making the trip. How can I travel with ashes on a plane? Here are some useful tips:
Contact the airline company
Checking with your airline about the requirements for travelling with ashes on a plane will clear up any doubts you may have and avoid any problems during your journey. They will tell you everything you need to do and how to do it, including what documentation you need to take with you, etc.
It is better to be safe
If, after consulting the airline company, you still have doubts, it is best to take precautions to avoid inconveniences later on:
- Make sure the urn is well sealed, labelled and packaged to protect against breakage.
- Don't forget the death and cremation certificate in case they are required at some point.
- Try to conceal the urn in your hand luggage or, even better, put the urn directly with your check-in luggage to avoid control, scanners, etc.
Leave it in the hands of a specialised company
If, after everything we have explained above, you are still unsure about travelling with ashes by plane, the best thing to do is to leave their transportation and the corresponding procedures in the hands of a specialised funeral company.
