Facts About Cremation | Air Travel

Knowing the facts about cremation can be helpful, especially if you need to travel via airplane with the remains of  your loved one. You might wonder why someone would consider air travel with cremated remains. Well, one reason might be to transport the remains to a special resting place located away from the location where cremation took place. Another reason might be if a surviving loved one is moving and does not want to pack an urn with remains among other personal belongings. Whatever your situation, Mountain View Funeral Home wants you to be prepared for the possibility of such travel. The following facts about cremation should be helpful to you:

• Documentation from a funeral home is not adequate enough to pass your loved one’s remains through security checkpoints.
• Transportation Security Association (TSA) requires that the container holding the remains to be made of material which the airport x-rays can clearly scan. If the TSA officer cannot view the contents fully, it is possible that it will not be allowed beyond the checkpoint. We would like to note that this ruling exists because cremation containers were used in the past to conceal dangerous materials, and this restriction is in place for everyone’s safety.
• Suitable, security-friendly cremain containers can be made of lightweight materials like plastic or wood. Out of respect for the deceased and their family, screeners will not open the container.
• The container will be screened through a variety of techniques. Upon successful x-raying, you must transport the remains as checked baggage or, as a carry-on item. Note, some airlines do not allow crematory remains as checked baggage. It is advised that you confirm this detail as you make travel plans.
• Among these facts about cremation are laws that vary by state as to what can be done with remains. Options may include burial at a cemetery lot or cremation garden, kept at home, inurned at a columbarium, or scattered. We advise checking on state laws before making such decisions.

Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery hopes the above facts about cremation and travel give you peace of mind as you make plans for your loved one. Should you have any questions about our cremation services, you can find more information about it here, or you can call us directly at 480-832-2850.