How can you Send Cremation Ashes Overseas?

Cremation ashes aren't always easy to handle. There are so many different options to consider, like whether they should be buried traditionally or placed in an urn. How long will it take the ashes to arrive? Should they be scattered or put into keepsake jewellery? What if they need to be sent to an entirely different country? It is difficult to know what to do, and there can certainly come a lot of questions in the process?. This article will discuss the legality of transporting ashes as well as some other useful tips that you should know.

Can you send ashes overseas through the post?

It is possible to send your loved ones cremation ashes through post. This is only available when the designated country allows the import of ashes, so it is important to check the rules and regulations of the country you are planning on posting to. Australia Post does let you send cremation ashes provided they are sealed, such as inside an urn. They also allow you to send ashes domestically too.

Can you take cremation ashes on a plane?

Cremation ashes are allowed to be taken onto an aeroplane. Cremation ashes are considered microorganism free and sterile as such hot temperatures render the ashes biologically inert. There are no public health risks associated with handling ashes. That being said, there may still be some legal requirements associated in transporting cremated remains. In order to take cremation ashes on a plane, you must securely store your loved ones ashes in an urn or an otherwise secure receptacle so that they cannot be exposed. You will need to also contact the consulate for the country to which you are travelling to in order to comply with their local requirements regarding importing cremation ashes. You need to bring a copy of the death certificate of your loved one and also a statement from the crematorium identifying them. The date and also the place that their body was cremated will also be needed.

Can you import ashes into Australia?

There are no requirements regarding importation of ashes into Australia, but some regulations regarding the container in which they are transported may apply. Any sort of wooden urn or receptacle or anything with contaminants such as soil must be declared upon arrival into Australia. You wouldn't want your urn or loved ones' ashes confiscated by customs, so it is advisable to store the ashes in a clean metal urn free from any contaminants. It is also advisable to contact the airline to advise them of what you're carrying as they may have requirements that need to be met in order to safely carry your loved ones ashes. If you plan on shipping your ashes, it is important to let the relevant organisation know what you are shipping for this same reason. 

Whatever your reason may be to send your loved ones ashes overseas, we hope this article has helped you in understanding what you need to do in order to help carry out that process. As Australia's largest urn store, Eternal Urns has an extensive range of the best quality urns available, so check out our range today.