Traveling with & Mailing Cremated Remains
Traveling With Cremated Remains (within Canada)
Cremated remains in a container may be packed as part of your carry-on baggage. The container, however, must pass separately through the x-ray machine. Please see information on the special procedures in place for screening cremated remains here
or contact your local funeral professional for assistance.
Before Heading to the Airport:
- Ask your funeral director about temporary containers for 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.
- Due to differences in thickness, shape and material, some cremation containers are more likely to pass through security screening.
Traveling With Cremated Remains (internationally)
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. Your local funeral services professional can also offer you invaluable assistance regarding the requirements.
Mailing of Cremated Remains (within Canada)
Losing a loved one is difficult enough, but what happens if you need to transport some (or all) of the cremated remains across the country? According to Canada Post, you may transport both human and animal cremated remains as long as they meet the documentation and packaging requirements.
- You mail them using a trackable parcel service
- The destination and return addresses are correct and complete.
- The cremated remains are packed in a sealed container and put inside a sift-proof outer container. If the inner container is fragile, you will have to protect it with packing material.
- The cremated remains are accompanied by a certificate of cremation issued by the appropriate authority such as the crematorium or funeral director and placed inside a plastic envelope and attached to the top of the parcel.
If you’re shipping cremated remains internationally, you’ll want to check with the International Destination Listing
for more information about prohibited and restricted items within specific countries or contact the funeral professional in your community for assistance.
