Taking Ashes from the UK to the USA: A Complete Guide

Taking a loved one's ashes from the UK to the USA is allowed and, in some respects, simpler than to most other countries. The CDC does not impose specific federal requirements on cremated remains entering the United States. The main rules sit with the TSA at airports and with US Customs and Border Protection on arrival. This guide covers the documents you need, the TSA's specific urn rules, what happens at US customs, and what you can do with the ashes once you arrive.

Quick answer

Yes, you can take cremated ashes from the UK to the USA. The CDC does not impose specific federal requirements on cremated remains. The TSA requires the urn to be made from a material their x-ray scanner can see through (wood, plastic, cardboard, or non-lead-based ceramic). Most airlines require the original death and cremation certificates and a statement from the crematorium that the urn contains only the deceased's ashes. You must declare the cremated remains on the US Customs declaration form (Form 6059B) on arrival. Carry the ashes in your hand luggage.

Documents you need to take ashes to the USA

The USA is more straightforward than many destinations on documentation. The CDC does not specifically require a death certificate for cremated remains, but airlines and US Customs do. Bring all of the following:

Required

• UK death certificate (original or certified copy). Required by most airlines and useful if Customs asks.
• UK cremation certificate (original). Issued by the crematorium, confirming the contents of the urn.
• Statement from the crematorium or funeral director. A short letter confirming the urn contains only the cremated remains of the named person. Most UK crematoriums and funeral directors issue this on request.

Translations are not needed for UK to USA travel. UK certificates are issued in English.

Helpful but not required

• The deceased's passport (rarely asked for at US Customs but useful to have)
• The address of where you're staying or the family member you're visiting

TSA rules: the urn must pass x-ray

The TSA has the strictest urn-material rules of any major aviation authority and the most explicit policy. The TSA specifically allows urns made from:

• Wood
• Plastic
• Cardboard (including biodegradable card)
• Non-lead-based ceramic

The TSA will not open a sealed urn at security under any circumstances, even for inspection. If the x-ray scanner cannot identify the contents because the urn material is too dense, security will refuse to allow it through and there is no workaround at the airport. Stone, metal, marble, granite, and lead-lined urns are all explicitly unsuitable for TSA security.

Hand luggage or checked baggage?

The TSA technically permits cremated remains in either hand luggage or checked baggage. However, carry-on is strongly recommended for two reasons:

• Some airlines (particularly UK budget carriers) only allow ashes in cabin baggage
• Checked baggage carries higher risk of being lost, delayed, or damaged in handling

Always carry the urn in your hand luggage where possible.

Choosing a UK-to-USA travel urn

Combine the TSA's material rules with your UK airline's policy. The intersection of both is:

• Wood (lightweight, x-ray transparent, accepted by TSA and all UK airlines)
• Biodegradable card or paper-fibre (lightweight, eco-friendly, accepted by TSA and all UK airlines)
• Non-lead-based ceramic (heavier than wood but still acceptable)
• Plastic (functional but less aesthetically common)

The urn must be securely sealed (screw-top or glued lid) and the contents not able to leak.

Browse our travel-safe urns →

Which UK airline are you flying with?

Each UK airline has its own cremated remains policy. Check yours before you fly:

• British Airways (the main UK carrier to the USA) — cabin or checked, non-metallic urn
• Ryanair — cabin only (note: limited US routes)
• EasyJet — cabin only (note: no transatlantic routes)
• Virgin Atlantic, United, American, Delta — guides being added throughout 2026

US Customs on arrival

You must declare the cremated remains to US Customs and Border Protection on arrival. The relevant form is the Customs Declaration Form 6059B, which all international arrivals complete on the plane or at the kiosk before entering the US.

How to declare

• On Form 6059B, tick the box indicating you are bringing items that need to be declared, and write "cremated human remains" in the description
• At the customs desk, hand over the death certificate, cremation certificate, and crematorium statement when asked
• Customs officers in the US handle this routinely and will usually clear you through quickly once they see the documents

There is no US customs fee for personal cremated remains brought in by family members.

What you can do with the ashes in the USA

Scattering ashes in the USA

US scattering rules are set primarily at federal and state level rather than national. Federal rules:

• Marine scattering must be at least 3 nautical miles offshore under the EPA Clean Water Act. The EPA must be notified within 30 days using their Burial-at-Sea form.
• National Parks Service land typically requires a free scattering permit; rules vary by park.
• Inland scattering on private land is permitted in most states with the landowner's consent.
• Aerial scattering is permitted with biodegradable containers over uninhabited land or sea.

State rules vary considerably. California, for example, has more restrictive rules on where scattering is allowed than most other states. Check the destination state's department of public health for specific rules. For more general guidance, see our complete guide on how to scatter ashes.

Burial or interment in the USA

If you intend to formally inter the ashes in a US cemetery plot or columbarium, you'll need to coordinate with the specific cemetery. Most US cemeteries accept ashes interment with the documents you brought through customs. Some require additional paperwork from a US funeral director.

Onward domestic US flights

If your journey continues with a domestic US flight (for example, you land in New York and then fly on to California), the urn goes through TSA security again. The same TSA x-ray rules apply for the domestic leg. Keep the urn in carry-on throughout.

Common mistakes when taking ashes from the UK to the USA

• Bringing a metal, marble or stone urn. Will not pass TSA x-ray and will be refused at the gate. Transfer to a wood, biodegradable card, plastic, or non-lead-based ceramic urn before flying.
• Not declaring on Form 6059B. US Customs takes incomplete declarations seriously. Always tick the box and write "cremated human remains" in the description.
• Putting the urn in checked luggage. Although TSA technically allows it, most UK airlines flying to the USA require cabin baggage. Always use carry-on.
• Forgetting the crematorium statement. The cremation certificate alone is sometimes not enough; airlines and customs may want a separate statement that the urn contains only the named person's ashes.
• Assuming TSA will open the urn for inspection. They will not. If the urn cannot be x-rayed, it cannot fly. Always pick a TSA-friendly material.
• Skipping research on state-level scattering rules. Federal rules are clear but state rules add layers. Check the specific state's department of public health if you intend to scatter publicly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take cremated ashes from the UK to the USA?

Yes. The CDC has no specific federal requirement on cremated remains entering the United States. The TSA requires the urn to pass x-ray, and US Customs requires the cremated remains to be declared on Form 6059B on arrival. Carry the original death and cremation certificates and a crematorium statement.

Does the CDC require a permit for cremated ashes entering the USA?

No. The CDC does not impose specific federal requirements on cremated remains. This is a notable simplification compared to non-cremated human remains, which require a permit. As long as the cremation was performed in compliance with UK regulations, no CDC permit is required.

What documents do I need for US Customs?

The original UK death certificate, the original cremation certificate, and a statement from the crematorium or funeral director confirming that the urn contains only the deceased's ashes. You must also complete US Customs Declaration Form 6059B and tick the box for items to be declared, writing "cremated human remains" in the description.

Can ashes go through TSA in carry-on or checked?

The TSA permits cremated remains in either carry-on or checked baggage. However, carry-on is strongly recommended because most UK airlines require it, and checked baggage carries higher risk of being lost or damaged.

What kind of urn does the TSA allow?

The TSA explicitly allows urns made from wood, plastic, cardboard, or non-lead-based ceramic. The urn must be sealed and the x-ray scanner must be able to see through it to confirm the contents. Stone, metal, marble, granite, and lead-lined urns are not suitable for TSA security.

Will the TSA open a sealed urn for inspection?

No. The TSA will not open a sealed urn for inspection under any circumstances, even at the traveller's request. If the x-ray scanner cannot identify the contents, the urn will not be allowed through security, and there is no workaround. Always pick an x-ray-transparent material.

Can I scatter ashes in the USA after I arrive?

Yes, generally. Federal rules require marine scattering at least 3 nautical miles offshore and a free permit for scattering in National Parks. State rules vary considerably; California is more restrictive than most. Always check the destination state's department of public health before scattering publicly.

Do I need to inform the airline in advance?

Most airlines do not strictly require advance notification for cremated remains, although it's recommended. British Airways, the main UK carrier to the USA, does not require advance notice. Check your specific airline's policy.

How long can I keep cremated ashes in the USA?

Indefinitely. There is no federal time limit on keeping cremated remains in the United States, and most states have no time limit either.

Where to go from here

• Browse our travel-safe urns, designed for airline transport
• Read our complete guide on flying with ashes
• Read our complete guide on how to scatter ashes
• Compare with the UK to Spain process
• Read our hub guide: What to do with ashes after cremation

Last updated: 9 May 2026.

This guide is general in nature and is based on current publicly available CDC, TSA and US Customs guidance. For the latest and definitive rules, consult CDC guidance on importation of human remains and the TSA cremated remains page.

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Urns For Angels is a family-run specialist supplier of cremation urns, ashes jewellery, scatter tubes and travel urns, with worldwide shipping.