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Washington Report
June 2004
Cremation Containers Affected By New Airline Security Regulations
by Robert M. Fells, Esq., general counsel
The Transportation Security Administration has contacted the ICFA for assistance in circulating information on new security regulations at U.S. airports concerning cremation containers that passengers wish to bring onboard as carry-on baggage.
The TSA allows the containers, "but it MUST pass through the X-ray machine. If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image and prevents the security screener from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container will not be allowed through the security checkpoint. In respect to the deceased, under NO circumstances will a screener open the container at any time, even if the passenger requests that this be done" (capitalization in the original).
Containers that cannot be X-rayed will be checked as baggage and placed in the cargo section of the plane following tests for explosive devices. To avoid this result, TSA "strongly recommends that you suggest to your patrons planning on traveling with an urn that they purchase a temporary crematory container made of material that CAN be successfully X-rayed, such as wood, plastic or NON-lead lined ceramic. Even if they want to purchase a permanent metal or lead lined urn, they MUST have a temporary container that can be X-rayed for air travel."
The complete text of the TSA letter to the ICFA can be viewed at www.icfa.org/tsa_041604.htm.
Copyright ICFA 2004
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