Flying with ashes, or mailing them
Yes, you can fly with ashes, and the easiest way is in your carry-on, in a container the X-ray can see through, like plastic or wood. TSA officers won't open it. To mail ashes, use the Postal Service: Priority Mail Express, in its free Cremated Remains box. UPS and FedEx don't accept them.
Getting through airport security
- The container has to show up on the X-ray. TSA suggests a temporary or permanent container made of a lighter material like wood or plastic. If the X-ray can't see inside (often the case with metal urns), it won't be allowed through.
- They won't open it. TSA says, “out of respect for the deceased, TSA officers will not open a container, even if requested by the passenger.”
- Have a heavy urn? Ask the funeral home to put the ashes in a plastic temporary container for the trip, and pack or ship the urn separately, empty.
What the airlines at South Bend say
South Bend International Airport is served by Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta and United. Here's what the three biggest say on their own sites:
| Airline | Carry-on | Checked bag | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | Yes; counts as your carry-on bag | Only if the container can't pass security, as agents decide | “No special documentation is needed” within the U.S. |
| Delta | Yes; must pass the X-ray | Yes, if it passes screening (normal bag fees) | “A death or cremation certificate is required.” |
| United | Suggested | Not covered on their page; they suggest carry-on | Suggests bringing the death certificate and the disposition permit |
Flying Allegiant or Breeze? We haven't checked their rules yet; call them before you fly.
Our advice: carry it on, and bring a copy of the death certificate and the cremation certificate or permit the funeral home gave you, whichever airline you fly. They weigh nothing and settle any question at the gate. How to get a death certificate
Flying to another country
Rules depend on the country you're flying to. American and United both say to check with that country's consulate before you go. Bringing ashes into the U.S. doesn't need a CDC permit.
Mailing ashes with USPS
Since March 2025, every shipment of ashes has to go in the Postal Service's own Cremated Remains box.
- Order the free kit from the USPS Postal Store. It comes with the box, a self-sealing plastic bag, cushioning, tape, and the instructions. Some post offices have the boxes too. A smaller box exists for jewelry and keepsakes.
- Seal the ashes in a strong, sift-proof inner container. USPS suggests putting it in a sealed plastic bag with a label showing both addresses and the words “Cremated Remains.”
- Cushion it all around inside the box, and add a slip of paper with both addresses and phone numbers.
- Ship it Priority Mail Express. It's the only service allowed for ashes within the U.S. You can add insurance and a return receipt.
Mailing overseas: only by Priority Mail Express International, only to countries that allow it, and the ashes must be in a sealed funeral urn inside the box. Write “Cremated Remains” on the customs form and attach the cremation certificate if you have it. Questions: USPS at 1-800-275-8777.
Why not UPS or FedEx
Both list human remains as items they won't ship. FedEx says this includes cremated remains.
- TSA, “Cremated Remains”, tsa.gov. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- South Bend International Airport, airlines, flysbn.com/airlines. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- American Airlines, Delta and United baggage pages (linked in the table). Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- CDC, importing human remains, cdc.gov. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- USPS Publication 139, “How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains” (Jan 2025), about.usps.com; Publication 52, section 451.22, pe.usps.com. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- USPS, “There's a new rule for shipping cremated remains” (Mar 1, 2025), news.usps.com; Cremated Remains Kit, store.usps.com. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
- UPS prohibited items, ups.com; FedEx prohibited items, fedex.com. Checked Oct 21, 2026.