Not excusing the TSA here, but I question why he checked the ashes.
We transported by MIL's ashes to Virgin Gorda a few years ago. We had the ashes in a travel container, informed TSA at BDL that we had them and took them to be screened separately. As much as I hate the TSA, I must admit that the screeners could not have been more helpful and respectful. They made it into an easy and relatively painless process.