When a loved one passes away and is cremated, it is always good to have the remains. Unfortunately, it is often possible that your loved one was cremated far away and that you must transport their ashes home. While you can ship them through the mail, taking them with you on a plane is a better option. Here's what you need to know about this process.

Following Proper Cremation Transportation Rules

Typically, most airlines have little problem with you traveling with cremated remains as long as you follow their rules. The rules will vary for each airline, so make sure to talk to a proper representative before booking a flight. Generally, the rules for cremation transportation on an airplane will follow these basic guides:

• Checking the remains if necessary and informing the airline of the remains in advance
• Contain the remains in a container that can be scanned (necessary for security purposes)
• Bring the Death Certificate and Certificate of Cremation
• Comply with all searches in a timely fashion

It may be possible to bring your urn on your flight as a carry-on package, as long as it follows the rules for carry-on luggage. However, you should probably store it in some kind of box to keep it out of sight of potentially sensitive passengers and to protect it from damage.

What To Know About Urns

Cremation urns are typically the best way to transport cremated remains, as they are easy enough to handle. One of the most important decisions you can make when transporting your cremated remains is what material you want for the urn. It might not be a bad idea to purchase sturdy material, such as a wood urn, strictly for transportation.

This serves two purposes. The first is to protect the urn, as a material like glass or ceramic is more likely to crack or shatter. The second purpose is to make it easier to get through airline security. Carrying a metal urn will cause the metal detector to go off and might not be able to be scanned, breaking airline rules.

Ensuring The Urn Doesn't Get Busted

When traveling with an urn, it's not a bad idea to put it in a sturdy cardboard box and to stuff it with shipping air bags to keep it from getting damaged. This is particularly important if your airline fores you to check the urn and place it in general luggage storage, rather than allowing it as a carry-on.

By following these steps, you can transport your loved one's remains in peace, without running into any more trouble. When making funeral plans at a home like J Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, be sure to ask in advance about getting a copy of their Cremation Certificate.