ElaineMcMull

I would like to take my mother's ashes on our beach vacation to be scattered. I am wondering if taking her on a plane is legal. If so, should I check the remains or carry on?
Any information will be appreciated. Thanks!

ElaineMcMull

I am flying American Airlines to Florida in case that makes a difference.

rkkwan

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...nOfTheDeceased

doug_stallings

It's legal, but you might also consider sending the remains to yourself via a next-day delivery service like FedEx just to make things easier. I've read sporadic complaints about the TSA not treating cremated remains with respect and asking people to open up urns and the like. If you don't want to do that, shipping the remains overnight would be better. I would not check the cremated remains.

Scattering remains on a beach may or may not be allowed, and I think that's something you really ought to look into. (Not that there's much the authorities can do to you if it's not allowed, but it's certainly a consideration.)

Quark

I did this a couple years ago via carry on with my mom's ashes. I didn't say anything and nobody asked. However, they were in a tupperware container as I was bringing half her ashes home from Florida to NY and my brother kept the rest.

RoamsAround

My experience was similar to Quark's. I've transported cremated remains twice (both times on a domestic flight connecting to an international flight) in my carry-on and no one ever raised an eyebrow.

Cali

We transported cremated remains on an airplane and the funeral home said there was a tag put into the remains which would let the TSA know they were remains and there would be no problems. They were right - we had no problems.

Bokhara2

No idea about the US, but I took my best friend's ashes on a domestic flight in Australia last week without any problem at all.

I did get a letter from the Crematorium just in case, and told the chap at the scanner what was in the container. It looked like a big plastic container for vitamins or dietary supplements. No problems and I just took her in my shoulder bag.

On a practical note: Ashes also contain the ash from the coffin and may be a little heavier than one might expect.

Doug: Unless the beach were heavily patrolled or there were a lot of people in the water nearby, I can't see the need to tell anyone/ask permission. Scattered ashes on an outgoing tide are gone within seconds.

Elaine, my very best wishes. It's a cathartic experience; bitter sweet and in our case very fitting and even quite joyous, if you could say that on such an occasion.

Her Dad and we scattered her ashes in the ocean where they loved to swim and fish. It was a glorious sunny day and the light glinting on the water sparkled & danced, just as she did in our lives.

kybourbon

You need to check your airline as some airlines require carry on only, not checked.

janisj

ky: did you notice the thread Is three years old?

janisj

Meant to add . . . Did you maybe intend to post on this thread instead?

http://www.fodors.com/community/air-...nal-flight.cfm