Handle with Care: Transporting Cremated Remains
Denver has grown so much over the last few decades. Today, many people living in the city grew up elsewhere, with family and friends scattered around the country. For some, this can pose geographical challenges when a loved one dies. We’ve witnessed this growth firsthand, and understand that grieving families need to honor their loved ones and be supported through loss, no matter where in the world they are.
We exist to serve Denver families in their times of need, wherever they are. Sometimes, this requires sending a loved one’s remains to another state to provide a more meaningful final resting place. Other times it means dividing up ashes so that multiple family members may keep the memory of their loved one close.
If you need to ship cremated remains or travel with them on a plane, below are some things you should know first.
Reducing the Stress of Travel
Traveling is stressful as it is. Early mornings at airports, checking bags, and missed flights can make anyone want to pull their hair out in their best moments. When traveling after experiencing the loss of a friend of family member, people can be physically and emotionally exhausted, and the stress from travel can easily become overwhelming.
Whether you’re flying with your loved one’s cremated remains or plan to send them via mail, try to make things easier on yourself by becoming familiar with the rules that you’ll need to know to reduce the chance of things going wrong when the time comes.
How to Ship Cremated Remains
The only carrier that will mail cremated remains is the United States Postal Service (USPS). If you plan to send remains via mail, there are a few things to know before heading down to the post office:
- Cremated remains can be sent domestically or internationally using USPS. For domestic packages, you must use Priority Mail Express®. For international packages, you must use Priority Mail Express International®.
- Some foreign countries do not allow cremated remains to be shipped from the U.S. To learn which countries prohibit these packages, you can check the
Individual Country Listings in the United States Postal Service’s International Mail Manual (IMM®).
- USPS provides a free Cremated Remains Kit that you can use to send ashes. The kit includes a Priority Mail Express Box and packing tape. You may
order the kit online at USPS.com, but you are not required to use these. If you prefer, you may use your own packaging as long as it is durable.
- Label 139 is designated by the USPS for cremated remains, and you must use this label when shipping cremated remains. The Cremated Remains Kit comes with a pre-labeled box. If you use your own packaging for shipping, all sides, including top and bottom, must have Label 139 clearly visible.
- Due to the importance of transporting ashes, USPS recommends including a slip of paper with both the sender’s and recipient’s addresses and contact information inside the package before sealing it. This way, the carrier will still be able to deliver the package, even if the shipping label becomes detached or damaged.
How to Fly With Cremated Remains
Flying with a loved one’s ashes within the US is possible. The biggest concern when traveling with cremated remains is getting through security. Here’s what you should know before arriving at the airport for your flight:
- Airlines may have their own specific rules for flying with cremated remains. Some airlines, for instance, will allow ashes to be included in your carry-on luggage, but not checked luggage. In preparation for the flight, look up your airline’s policy on cremated remains using the airline’s website or phone number.
- A certificate of cremation may be required to fly with cremated remains, and it may be a good idea to have the death certificate with you, as well. Carrying official documentation with you reduces your chance of having issues with security at the airport.
- Even if the airline you’re flying with allows cremated remains to be stowed with checked baggage, it still may be advisable to keep your loved one’s ashes with you as carry-on. If you and your checked baggage are separated during the flight for some reason, you won’t be in danger of losing the remains.
- It’s a good idea to use a temporary “traveling urn” for the flight that’s made of a lighter material. Cremation urns are often made from thick materials such as ceramic or metal, which could cause visibility issues for the X-ray machine at the security checkpoint. Aside from being easier to carry, using a sturdy cardboard box and sealed plastic liner allows TSA to see its contents. If they are unable to see inside the urn, security may prohibit you from continuing to your gate, and they may refuse to open the package with the cremated remains out of respect for the deceased, even if you direct them to do so.
- Arrive at the airport much earlier than you normally would. If the TSA screener refuses to allow the remains to pass through the checkpoint for any reason, you’ll have time to make alternate arrangements before your flight departs.
Here for Our Denver Community, Wherever They Are
Horan & McConaty has served the neighborhoods of the Greater Denver area for over a hundred years. Much has changed over the decades, but our devotion to families in need has remained unwavering. If you’d like more information about cremation or funeral services, reach out to us at 303-745-4418 or leave us a message online.
