Beyond Scattering
Not every family wants to scatter ashes. Some want to keep them close, even while travelling out into the world. Memorial keepsakes allow you to do just that and by bringing your loved one along on every trip, you’re making each adventure part of their legacy.
Memorial Jewelry: Wearing Love Around the World
Cremation jewellery has become one of the most popular ways to carry remains discreetly.
- Necklaces and Pendants: A small chamber holds ashes or soil from a special site.
- Rings: Many jewellers craft rings with ashes infused directly into the band.
- Glass or Gemstones: Specialized artisans create glass beads or lab-grown gems infused with cremated remains.
Imagine walking the streets of Paris, climbing Machu Picchu, or standing before the Colosseum with your loved one literally carried at your heart.
Travel Capsules and Portable Keepsakes
Some families prefer discreet capsules or vials that can be clipped to a keychain, packed in a bag, or carried in a pocket.
- Perfect for group trips: Each family member can bring their own, making a scattering ceremony collaborative across multiple destinations.
- Flexible use: You can scatter small amounts in meaningful locations such as childhood homes, favorite beaches, or bucket-list destinations while preserving the rest.
Turning Vacations Into Pilgrimages
When you bring remains along, your trip transforms. It’s no longer just sightseeing, it’s storytelling.
- A daughter might carry her mother’s ashes to Rome, honoring her dream of seeing the Vatican.
- A brother could scatter ashes on a mountain his sibling always wanted to climb.
- Families can plan a multi-stop journey, creating a trail of remembrance across continents.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Airline Travel: Airlines allow remains in carry-on luggage, but TSA (and Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) require cremated remains in a non-metallic urn for screening.
- Customs: Some countries require documentation, so always travel with a copy of the death certificate and cremation certificate.
- Emotional Readiness: Every trip can stir memories. Prepare yourself and your family for moments of reflection.
My suggestion, speak with a funeral director who knows the ins-and-outs of travelling with cremated remains.
Carrying Memory Beyond Borders
Travelling with cremated remains isn’t just about logistics, it’s about connection. Whether you wear a pendant close to your heart, tuck a keepsake capsule into your pocket, or create a pilgrimage of places once dreamed about, each journey becomes a way to extend your loved one’s story. These small acts of remembrance transform ordinary trips into meaningful experiences, ensuring that their presence continues to shape the way you see the world. With thoughtful planning and guidance from a trusted funeral director or travel advisor, you can honour their memory with both dignity and adventure, wherever the road, river, or ocean may take you.
