Halifax man en route to get ‘cremation tattoo’ stopped by airport security over ashes

Vincent Masse faced an unusual obstacle at Halifax Stanfield International Airport when screening officers stopped him over a small wooden box containing the cremated remains of his beloved dachshund, Balthazar. Masse was en route to Winnipeg to get a 'cremation tattoo,' a process that incorporates a small amount of ashes into tattoo ink.

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What I quickly found out is that even that highest-ranked person on the floor does not have the ability to manually bypass the decision of the machine.

The box of ashes was rejected by the CT X-ray scanner, and Masse was informed by security that he could place it in his checked luggage. However, as a frequent flyer, he was hesitant to do so, fearing the bags could be lost or damaged. This led to a frustrating encounter and the need to find an alternative solution.

Kerri Parnell, the tattoo artist in Winnipeg specializing in cremation tattoos, was contacted by Masse. She suggested sending a small portion of the ashes. Masse received a flight refund and booked a new one. Under Parnell's guidance via video call, he transferred a small amount of ashes into a Ziplock bag.

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He called me from the airport, very upset.

Upon returning to the airport later that day, the Ziplock bag containing the ashes successfully passed through security. Masse was relieved and able to continue his journey to Winnipeg. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) noted that cremated remains can be difficult to screen due to their dense material, recommending alternative transport methods like cargo air services but stating ashes may pass if under 350 ml and in a wooden or plastic container.

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My solution was maybe go home and take out a little bit of ashes because we only need a little bit for the tattoo.

Masse eventually met with Parnell in Winnipeg, where she completed a cremation tattoo on his chest in honor of Balthazar. Parnell emphasized the seriousness with which she handles the process, detailing her patent-pending, multi-step procedure for incorporating ashes into tattoo ink.

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Cremated remains are a dense material that can be difficult to screen.