Taking Ashes on a Ryanair Plane

Can You Take Ashes on a Plane With Ryanair?

Ryanair allows you to fly with ashes on their planes, but there are a few rules you should be aware of to minimise any stress or anxiety when flying.

• Ryanair does not permit you to store ashes in your hold luggage, only within your cabin baggage. This is a safe way to transport ashes – carrying them with you mitigates the danger of damage and the airline accidentally losing them.
• You must be travelling with a copy of the death certificate and the cremation certificate. We recommend taking two copies of each.
• You must transport ashes in a suitable container, which you can carry in alongside your standard cabin baggage allowance. This container should be non-metallic and highly durable to protect against breakage and turbulence.
• Ashes can be transported in an urn, but the urn must be made of materials that can be scanned by X-ray. You may, however, find it easier to travel with the ashes in a scatter tube or a plastic container.

Whilst Ryanair’s website states that the container must have a screw top lip, after contacting them, we’ve confirmed that as long as you seal the container appropriately and ensure it’s well-packed, it should be suitable to take on a flight.

Ryanair Flight Urn Restrictions

Ryanair has confirmed that you can transport ashes in an urn as long as the following is :

• The urn is of a robust make and packaged well to protect against turbulence, shock and damage.
• The urn must be made from materials that will pass through a security X-ray. Plastic, ceramic, marble, wood, or glass are all suitable materials.
• The lid is securely sealed by the urn’s own device (screw top, for example) or glued with a strong adhesive. 
• When bringing the urn onboard the plane, you can either place it in a carry-on bag or carry it in your hand – providing that you have the correct paperwork.
• It’s within Ryanair’s cabin baggage weight restrictions – 10kg max.
• It’s within Ryanair’s cabin baggage size restrictions.

Ryanair Flight Baggage Allowance

Ryanair allows for one small personal bag, measuring 40cm x 25cm x 20cm, which should be stored under the seat in front of you. You must ensure your urn fits within this bag.

If you’re willing to pay, Ryanair offers a 10kg bag allowance measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

If you’re carrying the urn in your hand, it shouldn’t exceed the small personal bag allowance dimensions (40x25x20cm).

We recommend you pick a robust urn that will safely travel on a Ryanair flight. Some Ryanair planes are very cramped, and if you carry an urn in the standard cabin baggage you will be required to place it under the seat in front of you. This is why we suggest your urn be sturdy and packaged well within your bag to protect it from breakage. 

Where Can I Fly to With Ashes?

Ryanair allows you to fly with ashes to all of their destinations. However, it’s important to note that all countries have different rules and regulations, so it’s best to research your country of destination thoroughly.

Some countries require more paperwork than Ryanair needs – arriving without the correct paperwork may result in customs confiscating your loved one’s ashes, so you must be aware of what your destination country requires.

We strongly recommend contacting your country’s embassy in your destination country to understand what paperwork they require – this helps ensure your journey is as stress-free as possible.