Entering another country with cremated remains

[kisschick1976 0]

My grandmother passed away on the first. She was the one who raised me and I still lived with her until the day she passed away. She was cremated and I am about to move to the UK. I know TSA will allow me to take my grandmother's ashes on board as long as they can easily x-ray the container. (I have her in an antique sugar bowl currently but I will have to have her transferred to a temporary plastic container for travel)

What I'm thinking is, this is probably just for domestic flights. Does anyone here have any experience taking cremated remains from the US to another country? I'm mostly interested in stories from the US to the UK or even from the UK to Spain but I am wanting to hear everyone's experiences.

ETA: SAUCE

Edited November 12, 2007 by kisschick1976

[no name 1]

Ask the airline you are flying on.

[kisschick1976 0]

Ask the airline you are flying on.

Yeah, I know. I was planning on doing that anyway since I needed to know if the specific airline(s) had restrictions on whether they prefer the remains to be carried on or checked since everyone is different. I'm looking more for personal experiences of bereaved travelers.

Thanks anyway though.

[kisschick1976 0]

*bumping during prime time hours*

anybody?

[tweety 1]

It would probably be a good idea to contact UK customs and ask if you can "import" her. Likewise you should try to find out if you are legally allowed to take the remains out of the country.

[kisschick1976 0]

UPDATE:

Just in case someone here does a search on this topic and finds this post. I found this link on the British Embassy website I never thought to look there, I was actually looking for office hours when I found it. So I hope that helps anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation. When you're this upset, you have a hard time thinking of places to look.

If anyone here has transported cremated remains to another country, please let me know what your experience was like in airport security. Once I move I will come back and give my experience. I never thought I would be in this situation but I am happy to give and receive any help possible when it comes down to it.

-Vikki

[Saddle Bronc 124]

My dad (Hindu) has--as he had carried my mum's (died 2001/10/13) cremains to India for immersion at Srirangapattan.

[kisschick1976 0]

Belated update

When I moved to the UK I was only questioned at TSA in the US. I had all sorts of documentation from the funeral home and a death certificate just in case. I had 2 containers of ashes with me, one to keep and one to scatter in Spain later (this one was the ashes in a plastic bag placed in a small Christmas gift bag. Similar items were TSA approved.) When I spoke with TSA, the lady who searched my bags just asked me to be sure that the ceramic container was well padded. She had lost her husband and that she would have been devastated if her urn had broken in a suitcase. She said if there was any problem with x-raying it, (she went through the steps they took, I also explained my grandmother had open heart surgery and some stints so there may be some metal pieces included) that she would come find me personally.

No problems, everything arrived in one piece.

Taking the smaller package from the UK to Spain seemed to be no problem at all. They didn't even ask. *shrug*

All in all, for being a very sensitive time for me what with my grandmother's passing, the family drama that followed and immigrating to a new country and all... I think it was handled very well and I hope that this information will help someone in the future.

[Amby 490]

happy it went well for you. I guess I missed this thread when you orginally posted it. good luck with your new life in the uk

[JenT 0]

So sorry for your loss, Vikki.

[mustang-sally 8]

Ok, I know this sounds a bit weird but -

I'm hoping to enter the US with my 9 year old dogs ashes when I move. He was always going to come with me but unfortunatly died just before christmas. He had a private cremation and I received his ashes back in a nice wooden box.

Only those who have been through this will probably understand why I want to bring them with me.

My question is, do I pack the ashes in my suitcase or handluggage and do I declare them?

Human remains are pretty clear, but animal remains?? I cant find any guidance on.

[Amby 490]

Ok, I know this sounds a bit weird but -

I'm hoping to enter the US with my 9 year old dogs ashes when I move. He was always going to come with me but unfortunatly died just before christmas. He had a private cremation and I received his ashes back in a nice wooden box.

Only those who have been through this will probably understand why I want to bring them with me.

My question is, do I pack the ashes in my suitcase or handluggage and do I declare them?

Human remains are pretty clear, but animal remains?? I cant find any guidance on.

wow and I thought Neil's mom was the only one who did this. She has about 15 animals in those boxes in her bedroom

[kisschick1976 0]

Ok, I know this sounds a bit weird but -

I'm hoping to enter the US with my 9 year old dogs ashes when I move. He was always going to come with me but unfortunatly died just before christmas. He had a private cremation and I received his ashes back in a nice wooden box.

Only those who have been through this will probably understand why I want to bring them with me.

My question is, do I pack the ashes in my suitcase or handluggage and do I declare them?

Human remains are pretty clear, but animal remains?? I cant find any guidance on.

Suitcase. I didn't declare mine, I just had a talk with TSA before I left the US. You may want to get documentation from the place that did the cremation to get them to write a letter for you. If you like I can copy the letter I got from the funeral home as a template for you. A wooden box will be fine as it's easy to x-ray. Metal and some ceramic urns they have a hard time x-raying and you won't get to take them with you Even the box the ashes came in will have a seal or a tag or a sticker stating where it's from with a phone number if they have any questions.

If I had my cat of 18 years cremated, I would have brought him to England with me too!