Taking Ashes on a British Airways Flight: A Complete Guide
Yes, you can take cremated ashes on a British Airways flight. BA is more flexible than most airlines: cremated remains are allowed in either your hand baggage or your checked baggage. The urn must be non-metallic and x-ray transparent, and you must carry the death certificate and cremation certificate. This guide covers BA's exact policy, the documents you need, and what to expect at check-in and security.
Quick answer
British Airways permits cremated ashes in both hand baggage and checked baggage as part of your standard allowance. The urn must be non-metallic (glass, ceramic, plastic, wood or marble are all acceptable), securely sealed, and placed inside a sturdy outer box or case. You must carry the original certificate of death and certificate of cremation, issued by a competent authority. No advance notification or extra fee is required, although carrying ashes in hand baggage is always the safer choice.
British Airways' cremated ashes policy at a glance
| Aspect | British Airways policy |
|---|---|
| Allowed in hand baggage | Yes, within standard cabin allowance |
| Allowed in checked baggage | Yes, within standard checked allowance |
| Documentation required | Certificate of Death plus Certificate of Cremation (issued by a competent authority) |
| Urn material | Non-metallic only. Glass, ceramic, plastic, wood or marble acceptable |
| Urn sealing | Tightly sealed and placed in a sturdy outer box or case |
| Advance notification | Not required |
| Additional fee | None |
Hand baggage or checked: which should you choose?
Although British Airways allows cremated ashes in checked baggage, hand baggage is almost always the better choice. Checked bags are more likely to be lost, delayed, or mishandled, and the practical and emotional cost of losing a loved one's ashes makes the small extra effort of carrying them with you well worth it.
If you do choose checked baggage, double-pack: the sealed urn inside a sturdy outer case, ideally cushioned with clothing, and the case clearly labelled.
Choosing a BA-compatible urn
British Airways' policy is explicit: no metal urns. Acceptable materials are glass, ceramic, plastic, wood, and marble. The reason is the same as for any airline: airport x-ray scanners need to see through the urn to confirm the contents, and metal blocks the scan.
In practice, the easiest urns to clear security are wood, lightweight ceramic, and biodegradable paper-fibre urns. Marble is technically permitted by BA but can occasionally raise questions at security depending on the airport scanner, so wood or biodegradable is the safest choice for international travel.
The urn must be tightly sealed, ideally with a screw-top lid or strong adhesive. BA also requests that the urn be placed inside a sturdy outer box or case for protection during transit.
Documents you need to carry
British Airways requires both of the following documents, and unlike some other airlines, BA specifies they should be issued by a competent or official authority from your country of departure:
- Certificate of Death. The official document issued at registration of death.
- Certificate of Cremation. Issued by the crematorium, confirming the contents are cremated remains.
For international travel, also bring any documents required by your destination country (some require an entry permit or letter from the funeral director). Keep all documents in your hand luggage where they're easily accessible.
The British Airways check-in and security process
At check-in
You don't need to declare the ashes proactively at check-in, although doing so often makes the process smoother. If a BA agent asks, calmly explain you're travelling with cremated remains and have your documents ready.
At security
Place the urn on the conveyor with your other carry-on items. The x-ray scanner will pass the urn through, and provided the material is non-metallic, security will see the contents clearly. Have your certificates ready in case security asks. If the scanner cannot see through the urn, security will not allow it through and there is no workaround at the airport.
On board
If carrying in hand baggage, keep the urn in your cabin bag throughout the flight. Most travellers store it in the bag under the seat in front, where the urn can be cushioned by other items.
At your destination
Customs procedures depend on the country you're entering, not on BA. Some countries (notably the United States) ask travellers to declare cremated remains on the customs form. Have the cremation and death certificate ready. For specific destination requirements, see our country-by-country guides.
Common British Airways-specific issues
- Trying to fly with a metal urn. BA explicitly prohibits metal urns. If your loved one's urn is metal, transfer the ashes into a wood, ceramic, plastic, glass or biodegradable travel urn before flying.
- Forgetting the outer protective case. BA's policy requires the urn to be placed in a sturdy outer box or case. A simple cabin bag without protective packaging may not satisfy the requirement.
- Putting the urn in checked without backup. Although BA allows it, checked baggage carries higher risk. If you must check, ensure both the urn and the outer case are well sealed and clearly labelled.
- Using photocopied certificates only. BA's policy specifies certificates issued by a competent authority, which generally means originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take ashes on a British Airways flight?
Yes. British Airways allows cremated ashes in either hand baggage or checked baggage, within your standard allowance. The urn must be non-metallic and securely sealed, placed in a sturdy outer box, and accompanied by the certificate of death and certificate of cremation.
Can ashes go in checked luggage on British Airways?
Yes, BA permits cremated ashes in checked baggage as part of your normal allowance. However, hand baggage is the safer choice because checked bags are more likely to be lost, delayed or mishandled.
What documents do I need to fly with ashes on British Airways?
You need the Certificate of Death and the Certificate of Cremation, issued by a competent or official authority in your country of departure. BA's policy implies originals or certified copies rather than photocopies.
Does British Airways charge a fee for transporting ashes?
No. Cremated ashes travel within your standard hand baggage or checked baggage allowance at no additional cost. There is no special booking class or fee.
Do I need to tell British Airways in advance that I'm flying with ashes?
No advance notification is required. You can simply arrive at check-in with the urn and your documents. Some travellers find calling BA's customer service ahead of travel reduces stress and lets gate staff anticipate your arrival.
What kind of urn does British Airways allow?
British Airways accepts urns made from any non-metallic, x-ray transparent material: glass, ceramic, plastic, wood, or marble. Metal urns are explicitly not allowed because airport x-ray scanners cannot see through them. The urn must be tightly sealed and placed in a sturdy outer box or case.
Can ashes be in a metal urn on British Airways?
No. BA's policy specifically prohibits metal urns. If your loved one's urn is metal, you'll need to transfer the ashes into a non-metallic travel urn (wood, ceramic, plastic, glass or biodegradable) before flying. Most funeral directors can do this transfer for you.
What happens if security can't see through the urn?
If the x-ray scanner cannot identify the contents, BA's policy states the container will not be allowed through security. There is no workaround at the airport. Always choose a non-metallic, x-ray transparent urn for travel.
Where to go from here
- Browse our travel-safe urns, designed for airline transport
- Read our complete guide on flying with ashes
- Compare with Ryanair's cremated ashes policy
- Read our hub guide: What to do with ashes after cremation
Last updated: 9 May 2026.
This guide is based on British Airways' published cremated remains policy. Airline policies can change without notice. Always verify with British Airways before travelling: British Airways FAQ — Can I take cremated remains or an urn when I fly with British Airways?
Urns For Angels is a family-run specialist supplier of cremation urns, ashes jewellery, scatter tubes and travel urns, with worldwide shipping.
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