Hi, I would like to take a very small amount of my mom's ashes with me to Italy to spread. (Discreetly) I am really thinking of just a small amount, like a vile full - like the size of a shot glass. I don't know the best way to take them. It seems that Italy has strict regulations. If I just put them in a small makeup container - like a mini-moisturizer tub, I wonder if I would get questioned. (?) Has anyone done this? I don't want to have TSA trouble. I flew with the full amount last year from Colorado to Hawaii, in my carry-on - without a glance!!
Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thx.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16232 posts
It is prohibited to spread ashes in Italy, however I doubt they'll check anything. I've gone back and forth dozens of times yet no Finanziere (Italian Customs officer ) ever checked my luggage. I'd be more concerned with the American TSA officers if they check your luggage upon departure. Somehow they seem to open my checked luggage very frequently. If they question you what are you going to tell them? Hopefully not that it's some explosive substance.
Posted by
OP
Paia, HI, USA
154 posts
Thanks everyone for the responses. I like the idea of just taking a small amount in a keepsake piece of jewelry to travel with (like the plastic capsule with a metal around it as a necklace). Ya'll are right about the legality of it, I'll play by the rules.
Thx.
Posted by
OP
Paia, HI, USA
154 posts
Thanks Roberto. That's why I'm a little nervous: traveling to Italy with remains, it sounds like you have to have an appointment with some type of funeral/burial home; or at least some type of plan that shows what you will be doing with the ashes. I have read that's it's illegal to spontaneously spread ashes there...
I don't want to be disrespectful to the culture, but it's my mom, and I promised her I would take her everywhere I went to make sure she saw the world with me - what do ya do?... As you mentioned, Roberto, with such a small amount, my main concern is a hold-up at TSA, or the unlikely event of it being confiscated at TSA (in LA or NY). I was hoping while carrying the proper death certificates, to actually NOT claim it, because Italy has these stringent laws of placement; and just kinda sneak on through with a simple, "I'm sorry for your loss"...
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Cat, I sent you a private message.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
You know it's illegal so don't do it. Just because you may be able to get away with it doesn't make it right. You may have promised your mother that you would spread some her ashes but at the time you probably did not realize what you would be doing is against the law. Surely your mother would not want to break a law in the USA or in any other country.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23660 posts
You second posting changed the question. If you are asking about taking along a few ashes of your mother as a keepsake or just to have with you as a reminder, then why not have her token ashes encapsulated in plastic? Then there would be no question ever. There are services that will do that. Second, even if you are carrying a small amount in some type of a container, no one is every going to question it.