The mailing, flying, and shipping of cremated ashes cannot just be carried out without approval from the right authorities. One of them is the TSA.
What is the TSA?
The TSA also was known as Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the department in the U.S. of Homeland Security that has the authority over the security of the traveling public in the U.S. This administration was formed as a result of the attacks which occurred on September 11. With this kind of agency, regulations have been made for planes, mail, and shipping of cremated ashes.
The TSA regulations for flying, mailing and shipping
Due to the fact that a cremation is a popular option, transportation of ashes is no new thing. There are lots of reasons why ashes might be transported. The cremated ashes might need to be received by a family or in cases where they have to go TO the birthplace of the deceased for interment.
In cases like these, mailing, flying or shipping them is important. But there are guidelines which have to be followed for the different modes of transportation of ashes and the proper way of packaging them.
The flying of cremated remains
After September 11 (911), airlines became very strict on air security. In order to avoid postponements, it is advisable for one to understand the specifics of transporting the cremains using this mode of transportation.
Ashes on domestic flights
A lot of airlines allow people to transport ashes as checked baggage. Also carrying an urn on a plane is one of the most commonly used vessels for carrying ashes but most of these urns are not able to meet the standards of the airline as they may either be difficult to x-ray due to the fact that they are opaque in nature and the contents inside the urn cannot be checked by the airline personnel.
This is because it is against the TSA policy for the employees of the airport to open the urn to know its contents probably for security reasons or to respect the deceased and so such an urn that cannot be x-rayed will not be allowed on the plane. The TSA has stipulated that the use of granite, stone or metal containers should be avoided. Only light structures like wood, fiberboard, cardboard or plastic should be used because these materials will not have problems with being x-rayed.
Ashes on international flights
For the shipping of cremated ashes overseas, a lot of planning is required. This is because each country has its own rules you must obey. One of the things that should be done when traveling internationally is to contact the embassy of the country you choose as your destination to make sure they accept the remains. Their regulations should be obtained and as the correct paperwork needs to be completed prior to the trip.
Though one may not know what paperwork is required, especially on international flights, due to the various complexities and rules different countries have. IT IS necessary to seek the help of a licensed funeral director who is a partner with the TSA.
Transportation of ashes via mail
In shipping ashes, the United States postal service is the only delivery method that is legal. This postal service has guidelines which must be adhered to. They include the requirement of an outer and inner box. A slip of paper containing the contact of the sender and the recipient must be present in the box before being sealed. The USPS requires that one use their free priority mail express boxes as an outer box. The right label should also be written on the box (the postal services cremated remains label) right next to the shipping label be it for domestic or international use.
If you feel you cannot handle this on your own, you can do well to seek the help of a funeral director as mentioned earlier.
Shipping of cremated ashes
There might be confusion and difficulty in the shipping and transportation of ashes. But if the correct procedures are followed, progress will be made easier. One should also make inquiries to ensure that everything is well organized to prevent delays that are avoidable. You must be able to identify your package by mentioning the specified contents when you print your shipping label. For your package to be handled properly you should also use the mark provided by label 139 which indicates “cremated remains”.
The TSA has approved for the flight, mailing, and shipping of cremains. They want this to be done legally so as to avoid harassment or unnecessary delays. You must ensure that you take the right steps in the packaging of the cremains for safe and quick delivery to its required destination.
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