✈️ Carrying Ashes on a British Airways Flight
Travelling with ashes can be an emotional and sometimes confusing process, so it’s best to get everything right from the start to avoid delays or distress at the airport.
If you’re planning to take cremation ashes on a British Airways flight, here’s what the airline’s official guidance says.
Can I Take Cremated Remains or an Urn on a British Airways Flight?
Yes. British Airways allows cremated remains to be carried on their flights, either in hand baggage or checked baggage, provided certain conditions are met.
According to BA’s policy:
“Cremated remains can be carried onto our flights in either your hand baggage or checked baggage.
To comply with regulations, you must carry a Certificate of Death (or the country-specific equivalent) issued by a competent authority from the country of departure. The cremated remains must be packed in a sealed outer box or case.
If carried in hand baggage, full security procedures will still apply and the sealed urn or box will be x-rayed at the security checkpoint.
If the urn is made of a material that prevents the x-ray screener from clearly seeing inside, the container will not be allowed through security.
For reasons of respect, security officers are not permitted to open urns under any circumstances.”
Thank you, British Airways — clear and compassionate guidance.
Our Advice When Travelling with Ashes
Choose a non-metallic urn or container (cardboard scatter tubes are ideal) so it can pass through x-ray screening.
Keep all documents together: death certificate, cremation certificate, and (if available) a letter from the funeral director confirming the contents.
Contact the embassy or high commission of the destination country to confirm local import or scattering requirements. Rules differ widely — see our Embassy Contact Directory for Travelling with Ashes
Allow extra time at security — especially at large airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester.
If you’re transferring flights, check that your connecting airline has similar policies. Most do, but some require prior notice.
For extra reassurance, record the final destination or intended scattering location on The Ashes Register— this creates a permanent memorial record wherever the journey ends.
Learn more about our Travelling with Different Airlines.
️ If You Can’t Travel with the Ashes Yourself
If you’re unable to travel personally, or would prefer not to carry the ashes through airport security, we can arrange a professional courier and repatriation service.
This ensures the ashes are transported securely and respectfully, with all paperwork handled on your behalf.
Learn more about our Ashes Courier & Repatriation Service.
Final Thoughts
Travelling with ashes is often the last stage in saying goodbye, and it deserves care and calm preparation.
British Airways’ policy is straightforward — but remember, your destination country’s regulations may differ. Always check in advance, use a scannable, sealed urn, and keep your documents easily accessible.
I will be travelling from Canada to the UK on British Airways with the remainder of my mother’s ashes to be scattered in England, as was her wish. Half of her ashes have already been scattered in Canada—also her wish. I have her death certificate, certificate of cremation, and the identification disc. Her ashes are in the original plastic bag and resealed with the zip tie and disk attached, and in the original container. My question is, will I have problems due to the fact that the original container is not sealed? Everything will be very well contained in strong plastic zip lock bags so there will be no chance of accidental spillage, etc. I will be carrying them in my hand luggage. Do I need any other documentation?
Hi Angie
I would not have thought so, everything you have done is eminently sensible and addresses their concerns
Kind regards
Richard
do you need to declare ashes when going to kenya pls?
I would
i have just purchased a stainless urn for my wife’s ashes will i be able to take these through security when i fly out to Abu Dhabi
Dear Edward
Probably not I am afraid, x rays can’t work on metal.
Regards
Richard
I am taking my fathers ashes back to his homeland of St Kitts and Nevis I have permission from the consulate to enter the country with them I cant find any information on where i can scatter his ashes without breaking any laws have you any information that would be useful to me please
Hi Wayne
I don’t have any specific information on the islands, however my understating is the island group only became independent in the 80s I suspect they would have adopted it would adopted the whole canon, this area I suspect would not have been altered – but I can’t grantee this.
Kind regards
Richard
I’m taking my father’s ashes to HK from Scotland with BA. I’m intending to carry them in the hold luggage. I will have the death certificate and certificate of cremated remains with me but do I need to declare the ashes when I check in my luggage? And I presume there won’t be a problem on arrival in HK?
Also, what do BA mean by a “sealed container”? Just our own judgement to keep it all safe?
Hi Ailsa
Yes you should declare them, as they don’t like them in the hold.
Sealed Container – Scatter Tube
Kind regards
Richard
Great, it’s in a scatter tube already.
I thought BA said ok to carry as hand luggage or as checked luggage? Why would it not be ok to place in my suitcase and check in to the hold?
In case they lose you bag, ashes can’t be replaced or insure….
Hello
I’m taking a relative’s ashes to be scattered in Venice, Italy. Do you know of any issues please?
Also is it easier to take in a scatter tube or urn? As I’m not sure what to do with the urn afterwards.
Thank you
Hi Daisy
Scattering is catholic Countries is frowned upon. The permits interment at cemeteries. However people do scatter often in the water in spite of this but this would be your choice.
Generally I would advise using a scatter tube.
Kind regards
Richard
I’m taking my step mums ashes to Singapore to meet step sister, mums ashes is wrapped in thick paper bag and placed in a box from the crematorium but the box not sealed but ashes bag is would this be ok to carry on as hand luggage, I have all paper work
If there is a chance that if the container fell out the over head locker it could lose some of the content then it is likely they would not accept it. I hope that helps.
Kind regards
Richard
I am flying to South Africa to seee my brother and taking a teddy made of my mums clothes which also has a small amount of my mum and dads ashes inside.What is the best way to take it
I would carry it in hand luggage and speak to security when before goes through the scanner so they can easily identify it and it wont cause distress.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
Richard
I have cremated remains of my father who lived in Israel. He was cremated there. My step-sister took care of all the arrangements and I am sure she has the death certificate. We are planning to take his ashes to Scotland in May of 2023. What do I need to do since I had his ashes sent to me from Israel and he was not cremated here in the States? I do not have a document from a crematorium.
Most airlines are sympathetic to peoples needs and circumstances this the main page for advice Travelling with ashes
As I am travelling to Australia stopping at wSingapore with British Airways would it be more sensible to pack the ashes in my checked in suitcase instead of my hand luggage .
I have the death certificate and crematorium certificate , is that sufficient?
Can you also tell me if it is legal for us to scatter them in my son garden ?
Hi Stella
I am afraid I don’t know the answer to first question – you would need to contact the Airline
I can answer you second question, yes it legal to scatter in your son’s garden
You can record this at ashesregister.com
Can I take 2 hand luggage 1 with ashes and one for myself
I don’t know sorry, you would need to ask BA themselves.
Many thanks
Richard
Can I carry my cats ashes in hand luggage? I don’t have a death certificate as not Sure they give these I could maybe reach out to the vets for one.
I really want to take him to the south of France with me
I would suggest following the advice as closely as possible, take any paperwork you have ben provided by the Vet. And be prepared to open the urn if requested. Obviously this is just advise from us and not guaranteed.
I wish to travel with my mum’s ashes in my hand luggage, from Heathrow to Johannesburg. The ashes are in a little sealed oak casket, which I believe is scannable at security.
My question is, can the casket be scanned whilst inside my luggage bag, or must it be removed and scanned separately? I’d like to be as discreet as possible!
Also, do I need to notify BA in advance?
Do I need to have the cremation certificate as well as the death certificate?
Thank you
Dear Helen
The more paperwork the more secure you will feel.
Wood is scannable..
Can you access the urn if they ask you, they would deem this reasonable (although it is unlikely)
The could scan it in you luggage, if they can’t get an accurate picture of what is contains then they may remove and scan separately.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Richard
I have a small urn (approx 8” high) which has a metal base and I will be carrying it as hand luggage. I have a copy of the death certificate.
Will it be a problem to get through security ?
Can the contents of the urn be scanned, you say the base is metal but no mention of the main part of the urn itself.
I have my dad’s ashes in an oak box with wax seals to be applied at the embassy. Will airport scanners be able to scan through 5/8″ oak?
Yes I would think so.
I am taking dad’s ashes back to his beloved Scotland on thursday 18 November – can yo please confirm that you are aware I am on flight BA1474
I would suggest contacting British Airways directly. Hope it goes well
Hi
I would like to take some of my dads ashes to Bardot with me in a Sealed tube from the funeral directors. I have the certificate of death and a letter from the funeral directors is this adequate to take on the British Airways flight with me?
I would think that would be fine – this is our main page for carrying ashes –
Can I carry my husband’s ashes in the same box the funeral director gave them to me.I’m travelling home to Ireland to give my in-laws some of there brother’s ashes,they already have it arranged with the graveyard at home to put some in with there parents I have the death cert and the travel form I just can’t bear to open the box on my own as he only passed in February
Georgina
I couldn’t say with any degree of certainty, I appreciate that it is distressing to transfer the ashes. I would suggest directing this question to British Airways and if they say the ashes need to be in a different container call your funeral directors as they would do this for you….
I hope this helps.
Regards
Richard
I’m carrying Ashes to Hong Kong from Spain Barcelona, but needs to stop in UK to connect to another flight is that ok to do that.
Yes that is fine
I want to take some of my mothers ashes to Italy from the UK to scatter on Lake Garda. Is there anything I should be aware of please ? Many thanks
Dear Karen
Very few other countries have such relaxed laws around the scattering of ashes. The practice is frowned upon in most other countries, Catholic countries like Italy don’t not kike. I know people have scattered at Lake Garda, but they have done so without permission.
Kind regards
Richard
Will fly to UK next week. What is the procedure or documents for hand carrying my pet’s (dog) bone ash?
Can I carry my dogs ashes. I want to take him home to Scotland to scatter them. I’m travelling from the USA. I have a cremation certificate
Dear Tracy
We would advise speaking with your airline to discuss how the ashes should be packaged and the paperwork you require. We wouldn’t expect you to encounter any problems.
Thank you, Hannah! One very helpful lady at BA directed me to that very same page on their website with current information –
I have an original death certificate, Certificate of Cremation, and (possibly unique to Arizona) a Disposition-Transit Permit from the Department of Health Services – Bureau of Vital Records. The Funeral Director was very helpful and checked that the urn encased in a sealed wooden box may be x-rayed. When I booked my return flight, I also asked that a note be placed on the passenger manifest as to what I am carrying. This was suggested to me by BA when I booked my flight out to Arizona to say final good-bye’s to my mother. BA have always been kind but it was an extra kind gesture that I did appreciate at an emotional time.
Many thanks for your help!
I’m going to be carrying my mother’s ashes from the USA to Scotland on a British Airways flight and I have the death certificate, a certificate of cremation and a Disposition-Transit Permit from the state health department. The lady I spoke to at BA is checking if I can carry the ashes with me but I’m looking for assurance that security at Heathrow or that someone in BA will not try to put the ashes in the luggage hold. This is one instance when I would like to be certain of what is allowed! The container can be x-rayed. Is BA still allowing passengers to carry ashes on board? The post above is over a year old. Many thanks for your help!
This is still correct, I have spoken with BA this morning and they have confirmed the following information on their website is still true:
“Question
Can I take cremated remains or a full urn when I fly with British Airways?
Answer
Cremated remains can be carried onto our flights in either your hand baggage or checked baggage.
In order to comply with regulations, you’ll need to carry with you a Certificate of Death (or other country-specific equivalent) issued by a competent authority from the country of departure. You’ll also need to ensure that the cremated remains are packed in a sealed outer box or case.
Please be aware that if you are carrying them in your hand baggage, full security procedures will still have to be be applied and the sealed box/urn will be x-rayed at the airport security point. Therefore, we need to advise you that if the urn is made of a material that prevents the x-ray screener from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container will not be allowed through the security checkpoint. (It is not policy at airport security locations to open any urn, out of respect.)”
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/gsanswer/public/en_gb?faqid=688&gsLink=searchResults