Transporting & Receiving Cremation Ashes

Most individuals receive the ashes of their loved ones within two weeks. The general process can take up to 15 business days, most of which is influenced by state regulations and the activities that need to occur according to those regulations. For example, this process can include: 

• The doctor signing and returning the death certificate 
• The medical examiner providing approval for cremation 
• Getting authorization, documents, and signatures from the family, such as a Durable Power of Attorney
• Returning necessary paperwork to the crematorium 
• Completing the cremation 

Some steps of the process and the length of time expected to complete them can vary by state. Gathering signatures from the individual listed on the durable power of attorney isn’t required in Florida, but is required in California and can take time if the funeral home has to locate the next of kin in the absence of the intended documentation. In a typical cremation process in Florida, it can take up to three days for a doctor to sign and return the death certificate, followed by two days for the medical examiner to approve the cremation. The cremation can then be completed within three days after all of the necessary paperwork is received. It usually takes a few hours to cremate the body, but the crematorium also has its own turnaround time which can last up to a week. 

Funeral homes and crematoriums can sometimes develop a backlog of cremations if the facility is understaffed or if there is an unpredictable increase in the death rate, such as due to a mass casualty event or a disaster. There is usually a delay in receiving ashes after cremation in those scenarios due to the overall volume of clients that need to be served. In most instances, ashes are typically returned in a timely manner and a general estimate of when the ashes will be ready for pickup can be provided by the funeral director or crematorium staff. 

Sources

“How long does it take to get ashes after cremation?” Urns.com. https://www.urns.com/blogs/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-ashes-after-cremation 

“FAQs about What to Do with Ashes after a Cremation”. Evergreen Cemetery. https://evergreenjax.com/faqs-ashes-after-cremation/ 

Before cremation, crematory workers place a stainless steel disk with a unique identifying number with the body of the person who died. The disk is around the size of a quarter and will not melt due to the temperature of the retort. It is also kept with the cremated remains throughout the process and included with their ashes when it is complete.

Crematories also have a variety of protocols in place to ensure that they do not misidentify anyone in their care. Since all bodies are identified and provided with a tag before the funeral home, or crematorium receives them, these facilities carefully double-check these identifiers before accepting the body for cremation. 

Identification processes can vary among crematoriums, but a few standard practices exist. These include visual identification, such as a photograph provided by the family or the staff at the place of death. Most facilities also attach a bracelet or tag with identifying information to the body of the person who died when that person arrives at the funeral home or crematory. The tags contain information such as legal name, date of birth, date of death, or even a social security number. The facility maintains documentation throughout the process to ensure that the person’s identity is confirmed before cremation.

While knowledge of these processes may be reassuring for you, it’s natural to feel uncertain about whether you are truly receiving the ashes of your loved one. If you’re struggling with these concerns and want to ensure that your loved one is not misidentified, a general recommendation is to contact the crematory in advance and ask if it’s possible for you to witness the cremation. This option allows you to see your loved one’s body as it enters the retort. Depending on the crematory’s policy, you may be able to watch a portion of the cremation or the entire process. However, keep in mind that cremation can take several hours.

Sources

“How Can I Be Sure The Ashes I Received Are Really My Loved One?” Everplans. https://www.everplans.com/articles/how-can-i-be-sure-the-ashes-i-received-are-really-my-loved-one 

“How Do I Know I’m Getting Back the Right Cremated Remains?” National Cremation. https://www.nationalcremation.com/ask-a-funeral-director/how-do-i-know-im-getting-back-the-right-cremated-remains

Receiving the ashes of a loved one can be emotionally difficult. Knowing what to expect, from what kind of container they will be in to how much ash to expect, can help alleviate your anxiety and, perhaps, make the process easier for you. Here we review a few facts about cremation ashes you should know in advance.

• The amount of ash: The amount of ash you will receive varies a fair amount depending on the size of the individual and the density of their bones. (Remember, cremation ash is actually pulverized bone.) Taller people and men (who have larger skeletons than women) typically produce a larger volume of ash. According to sources in the funeral industry, a rule of thumb is that one pound of bodyweight yields about one cubic inch of cremated remains. So a 150 pound person would produce about 150 cubic inches of ash — or about 10.5 cups. The weight of the ashes also varies,, but is usually between 3 and 7 pounds. 
• The color and consistency of the ash: Unlike campfire ashes or cigarette ash, human ashes are coarse and gritty — about the consistency of sand — and may contain small fragments of bone. (You can ask your service provider to pulverise the ashes into a finer consistency if you think this will be disturbing to you.) Their color may be white, light grey or dark grey. 
• How the ashes will be presented to you: Unless you already purchased an urn and asked the provider to transfer the ashes for you, you will typically receive your loved one’s ashes in a temporary container, usually a cardboard box with the seams taped shut and labeled with your loved one’s name. Inside the box will be a “sealable container” (generally a zip-lock bag) containing the ashes themselves. 

• Important note: The cremation service provider or funeral director may offer to sell you an urn so that you can receive your loved one’s ashes in an attractive container. Keep in mind, however, that the Funeral Rule gives you the right to purchase an urn from whomever you choose and request that the crematorium transfer the ashes into the urn for you.  The provider is required to offer this service free of charge. 

Sources

“What Size Urn Should I Get?” Legend Urn. https://www.legendurn.com/how-much-ash-left-after-cremation-what-size-urn-do-i-need 

You can fly with ashes on a plane, generally within carry-on luggage. However, there are specific rules and guidelines that must be followed. These can vary between airlines so it’s important to find out the specific regulations of the airline you’re traveling with. 

It’s best to travel with cremated remains in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage because this allows you to keep the ashes close to you and ensure they’re handled with care. They will need to be scanned through an X-ray machine for security screening, which will inform the type of container you use. The TSA recommends using a lightweight material like plastic or wood that the X-ray can penetrate — if the contents aren’t visible, it will not be allowed. TSA officers will not open a vessel containing cremated remains, even by passenger request.

The container must be strong and secure, such as a sealed box or urn, or a sturdy plastic bag. When flying with cremated remains, it’s advisable to bring along the certificate of cremation and even a copy of the death certificate.

Additional considerations for flying with cremated remains

It is crucial to check with the airline you will be flying with for any additional requirements or restrictions. Some airlines may have specific guidelines on the size and weight of the container, while others may not allow cremated remains on certain flights or in checked baggage. If you’re traveling internationally, you should check with the local consulate or customs office of your destination country as well as the airline you’re flying with for any specific regulations. 

Sources

“Travel Tips”. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips 

“Cremated Remains”. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/cremated-remains 

“What Do I Need for Flying with Cremated Remains?” National Cremation. https://www.nationalcremation.com/ask-a-funeral-director/what-do-i-need-for-flying-with-cremated-remains