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BREAKING NEWS: TSA IMPLEMENTS CARRY-ON URN RESTRICTIONS
[Read TSA "Transporting the Deceased" notice here]
Download information on the
TSA Funeral Home Partnership Program here
APRIL 16, 2004: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a new rule for transporting urns as carry-on luggage. TSA requires that urns must pass successfully through the x-ray machine. Many urns generate an opaque image and these will not be permitted through airport security. Urns will not be opened by security personnel.
For this reason, TSA is strongly recommending that consumers purchase a temporary container made of wood, plastic or non-lead lined ceramic for transporting their loved one's remains. Suppliers who offer these types of urns, and manufacturers who are able to create metal or standard ceramic urns with a removable container that can be successfully x-rayed, should take note of this new rule. Cemeteries and funeral homes selling urns will also need to communicate to customers the need to purchase a temporary urn along with their permanent urn, or purchase a permanent urn that meets the TSA requirement.
Following is the text of the letter received by ICFA from Bob Kapp of the Department of Homeland Security:
April 15, 2004
Mr. Robert Fells, International Cemetery and Funeral Association
The Transportation Security Administration has implemented a new procedure affecting those passengers attempting to transport a crematory container on an airplane as carry-on baggage. You are still allowed to carry-on a crematory container, 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 request that this be done.
If the x-rayed image is opaque then the next option is to transport the remains in the belly of the plane as checked baggage. The crematory container will undergo testing for explosive devices and, if cleared, will be permitted as checked baggage.
Most travelers carrying an urn are understandably hesitant to check the remains of their love ones in checked baggage. For these reasons the TSA strongly recommends that you suggest to your patrons planning on traveling with an urn that they purchase a temporary crematory container made of a 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.
As part of our outreach and education we have contacted the main funeral home associations on this matter and they have promised to make their members aware of our policy changes. Your portion of this outreach and education is important and will curb many of the urn related customer service problems.
Thank you for your support and participating in our goal of "Providing World Class Security and World Class Customer Service."
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
Regards,
Bob Kapp
Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Denver International Airport
Bob Kapp
TSA/DEN
8700 Pena Blvd RM 3111
Denver, Colorado 80249
303-919-4103
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1296.xml
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