We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one, and how important it may be to keep them close during travel. While you may wish to bring cremated remains in a cremation container or urn on the plane with you, all items brought through screening must meet security requirements, in accordance with regulations set by Transport Canada. Because cremated remains are a dense material that can be difficult to screen, we encourage you to consider alternative transportation methods, such as air cargo services, especially for remains over 350ml. While it may be difficult to make that choice, containers that cannot be cleared through security screening will not be permitted on board the plane.
What you need to know
- Use cremated remain containers made of materials less likely to trigger alarms, such as plastic, cardboard, cloth, or wood.
- It must pass security screening. Documentation from a funeral home does not provide an exemption to this requirement.
- Screening officers are not permitted to open a cremation container.
Some airlines do not allow cremated remains in checked baggage, so please check with your airline first to learn about possible restrictions.
If the death took place outside of Canada, consult the Global Affairs Canada Death abroad page for more information.
Before heading to the airport
- Ask your funeral director about temporary containers for air transportation purposes. These containers are more likely to pass through security.
- You can also bring your empty permanent container with you and arrange for a funeral home at your destination to transfer the container contents.
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- Due to differences in thickness, shape and material, some cremation containers are more likely to pass through security screening.
Options at the airport
If your container does not pass pre-board screening for carry-on baggage, you may:
- Leave the container with a friend or family member who is not travelling and still at the airport;
- Ask your airline representative to re-book you on a later flight, allowing you time to make other arrangements; or
- Ship the container via mail, cargo or courier. Please keep in mind that shipping options vary at airports.
Cremation container and documentation requirements when travelling can vary, depending on your destination. If you are travelling internationally, we suggest you contact the embassy for the country of your destination before you fly to determine their specific requirements concerning the transport of cremated remains.