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Resources & Frequently Asked Questions
Resources

Resources & Commonly Asked Questions

Travelling with ashes

What to know about flying with cremated remains, crossing into the United States, and mailing ashes from Canada.

Updated September 29, 2026

Many families need to take ashes to another city or country, to scatter or bury them there or to share them with family. It can be done, but it helps to plan ahead, because security screening, airline rules and destination rules all apply, and they do change.

Airport security in Canada

Ashes carried onto a plane in Canada must pass security screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Ashes are dense and can be hard to screen, and a container that can't be cleared won't be allowed on board. CATSA's guidance, as of September 2026:

  • Smaller amounts, under 350 mL, are more likely to pass screening.
  • Containers made of plastic, cardboard, cloth or wood are the most likely to be permitted. Metal, stone and ceramic are the least likely.
  • Screening officers are not permitted to open a cremation container.
  • Documents from a funeral home don't replace screening.
  • For larger amounts, especially over 350 mL, CATSA encourages you to consider other options, such as air cargo.

CATSA suggests asking your funeral director about a temporary container for air travel. You can also bring your permanent urn empty and have a funeral home at your destination transfer the ashes into it.

If the container doesn't pass screening, CATSA says you can leave it with someone at the airport who isn't travelling, ask the airline whether it can go in checked baggage, or ship it by mail or cargo, where available.

Airline rules

Each airline sets its own rules on top of screening, and they differ. As of September 2026:

  • Air Canada no longer accepts ashes in checked baggage, as of August 28, 2026. You can carry them on board, or ship them through its AC Compassion cargo service.
  • WestJet accepts up to 350 mL of ashes as carry-on baggage and larger amounts in checked baggage. Ashes don't count toward your baggage allowance.

Airline rules change, so check with your airline before you book, and again before you fly.

Crossing into the United States

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sets the health rules for human remains brought into the United States. It does not require a death certificate or an import permit for remains that have been fully cremated. It's still wise to carry your documents in case you're asked.

For a flight home from the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does the screening. It recommends a container made of a lighter material, such as wood or plastic, and its officers won't open a container, even if you ask.

For other countries, CATSA suggests contacting the embassy of the country you're travelling to before you fly, as each country sets its own requirements.

Mailing ashes

Canada Post accepts ashes, but only through certain services. Within Canada these are Priority, Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel. To the US they are Xpresspost USA, Expedited Parcel USA and Tracked Packet USA, and internationally Xpresspost International and Tracked Packet International. Canada Post requires that:

  • the ashes are in a sealed inner container, such as an urn, inside a durable, sift-proof outer box, with enough packing material to protect anything breakable
  • a certificate of cremation, in a plastic envelope, is attached to the top of the parcel
  • the destination and return addresses are complete and correct

Canada Post offers no coverage for loss or damage on these parcels. Some countries restrict or prohibit them, so check Canada Post's international destination listing before sending ashes abroad.

Documents to bring

  • A cremation certificate, which confirms that the cremation took place. Canada Post requires one for mailing, and Air Canada and WestJet recommend carrying one when you fly.
  • A death certificate, which both airlines also recommend.
  • A letter of contents, a letter from the funeral home describing what is in the container. Some families find it helpful for questions at check-in or a border, although it doesn't replace security screening.

Just Cremation can provide a cremation certificate and a letter of contents. You'll find both on our pricing page.

If you're planning a trip with ashes and have questions, please ask us.