Mailing Ashes: How to Use the USPS “Cremated Remains” Kit (Step-by-Step)

There are a few moments in grief that feel strangely logistical. One of them is the moment you realize the ashes need to travel. Maybe your sibling lives across the country and wants to be part of the memorial. Maybe a cemetery, columbarium, or church is in another state. Maybe you’re bringing a beloved pet’s ashes home to the place that always felt safest. In those moments, families often search the same urgent phrases—mail ashes USPS, ship cremated remains Priority Mail Express, “what’s USPS label 139?”—because the goal is simple: get your loved one where they need to be, without a heartbreaking mistake.

Here’s the most important anchor: the U.S. Postal Service is the carrier that permits shipping cremated remains under specific rules, and those rules are designed to protect you, postal employees, and every package moving around yours. USPS guidance is clear that cremated remains must be sent using Priority Mail Express (or Priority Mail Express International), and packaging must meet their requirements. You can confirm the current requirements directly in USPS Publication 139 and USPS’s official FAQ on Shipping Cremated Remains and Ashes.

This guide walks you through what’s actually in the free USPS kit, how to pack in a way that’s calm and secure, what happened to the old “Label 139,” how insurance and tracking work, and how this fits into the bigger questions families are usually carrying at the same time—choosing cremation urns for ashes, deciding whether you’re keeping ashes at home, planning water burial, and figuring out what to do with ashes when you’re not ready to decide everything at once.

Why USPS matters (and why the rules are strict)

When people say “USPS is the only major carrier that allows shipping cremated remains,” what they usually mean is: USPS has a defined, consumer-facing process for mailing cremated remains, and it’s the path most families can actually follow without private contracts. USPS requires Priority Mail Express for these shipments, a policy that has been reiterated by both USPS guidance and funeral-service industry resources. The National Funeral Directors Association has also summarized that Priority Mail Express is the service used for cremated remains shipments through USPS.

There’s also a relatively recent packaging emphasis worth knowing: USPS has stated that customers shipping human or animal cremated remains “in any form—such as ashes, jewelry or keepsakes—must use” the special Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box. That guidance appears in a USPS update from March 2025.

That sounds intense until you translate it into plain language: USPS wants a strong outer box, clear markings so it’s handled correctly, and a sealed inner container that prevents any powder from escaping. The goal is to reduce mishandling, damage, and the kind of “something went wrong” anxiety no family needs.

What’s in the free USPS “Cremated Remains” Kit?

USPS offers free supplies through The Postal Store. The most commonly referenced option is USPS cremated remains kit “Kit 1,” which the Postal Store describes as including one Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box and a roll of Priority Mail Express tape.

You may also see Cremated Remains Kit 2 listed in USPS search results for supplies; USPS has indicated that different kits may include additional packing components (such as cushioning, bags, and a printed copy of Publication 139). The best approach is to use USPS’s own “Cremated Remains” supplies results page to see what’s currently offered and choose what matches your needs.

If you’re thinking, “I need this today,” some retail locations may have the cremated remains box available for immediate shipping needs, but USPS also notes that the Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box is ordered online through The Postal Store.

What happened to “USPS Label 139”?

Many older articles (and a lot of nervous late-night searches) still revolve around USPS label 139 and USPS Publication 139. Publication 139 is still real and current—it’s the packaging guide. Label 139, however, is the part that often confuses people now.

USPS’s own FAQ states that Post Offices are not continuing to supply the orange Label 139 and that use of Label 139 has been discontinued. That’s a big deal for families who think they’re missing a required sticker. In practical terms, it means you should focus on using the approved cremated remains Priority Mail Express packaging and following Publication 139 rather than hunting for a label that is no longer distributed.

If you’ve seen older instructions about placing Label 139 on all sides, understand that those instructions reflect an earlier process. What matters now is following the current USPS requirements: the correct service (Priority Mail Express) and compliant packaging.

Step-by-step: how to package cremated remains the USPS way

Before you start, take a breath and set yourself up for a calm packing moment. Families often do this at a kitchen table, and that’s okay. If the ashes are still in a temporary container from the funeral home or crematory, you’re not doing anything “wrong” by leaving them there while you plan. You can make decisions in stages—many families do, especially as cremation becomes the majority choice in the U.S. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected at 63.4% for 2025, and CANA reported a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% in 2024.

Step 1: Choose your “inner container” (the part that actually holds the ashes)

USPS’s international mail manual guidance (often quoted and mirrored across USPS publications) emphasizes that cremated remains must be packaged in a sealed, siftproof container, then placed into a strong outer container with enough cushioning to prevent shifting and prevent any powder from escaping. See USPS Postal Explorer

In real life, your “inner container” might be:

• A temporary plastic container from the funeral home or crematory (often already bagged and sealed).
• A permanent urn (especially if you’re mailing an urn as part of your plan).
• A small container intended for sharing (if you’re sending only a portion to a relative).

If you’re still deciding what you want to keep at home, it can help to think of the mailing decision as one chapter of funeral planning, not the entire story. Families often choose one “home base” urn and then smaller items for sharing—keepsake urns, small cremation urns, or cremation jewelry for one person who needs closeness in a different way.

If you’re choosing an urn before you ship, Funeral.com’s collections can help you compare options in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming: Cremation Urns for Ashes, Small Cremation Urns for Ashes, and Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes.

Step 2: Seal and “double-protect” the ashes

Even if the remains are already in an inner bag, many families feel calmer adding a second layer of protection. That might mean placing the inner bag into another sealed bag (or the self-sealing bag included in some kits), then ensuring the closure is secure. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s peace of mind and compliance with the “siftproof” concept USPS describes.

If you’re moving ashes from a temporary container into an urn before shipping, do it slowly and set up your space so spills are unlikely. Funeral.com’s guide on transferring ashes can make this feel less intimidating if you’re doing it at home: Keeping Ashes at Home and Transferring Them to an Urn

Step 3: Cushion the inner container so it cannot shift

This is the part people underestimate. Imagine the box being turned sideways, set down firmly, or jostled. USPS guidance repeatedly emphasizes cushioning to prevent shifting and breakage.

Use bubble cushioning, packing paper, or foam so the inner container is snug on all sides. You want “no rattle” when you gently shake the box. If you ordered the kit that includes cushioning, use it; if not, add your own. Avoid loose, dusty fillers that could create mess if something tears.

Step 4: Place an identification note inside the box

USPS Publication 139 suggests adding a paper inside the outer package that includes sender and recipient information. It’s a simple backup in case the outer label is damaged.

Some families also include copies of a cremation certificate or death certificate when shipping for a formal purpose (like transport to a cemetery or international shipping). Requirements vary by destination and institution, so think of this as “helpful documentation,” not an automatic rule.

Step 5: Use the correct outer box and seal it thoroughly

USPS states you must use the special Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box for these shipments.

Close every seam securely with the Priority Mail Express tape from the kit (or comparable packing tape if needed). This is one of those moments where “extra tape” is not overkill—it’s care.

Step 6: Address clearly and ship using Priority Mail Express

USPS’s official FAQ is explicit that cremated remains must be shipped using Priority Mail Express (or Priority Mail Express International). Priority Mail Express includes USPS Tracking, which matters because tracking is often what helps families sleep that first night after shipping.

When you mail, keep your receipt and tracking number in an easy-to-find place. If you’re sending the package to a funeral home, cemetery, or relative, let them know the tracking number and the expected delivery window so someone can receive it promptly.

Tracking, delivery, and what “secure” really means

Tracking is more than a convenience here—it’s emotional reassurance. USPS highlights that Priority Mail Express comes with USPS Tracking.

Two practical habits help:

• Ship early in the week when possible, so a delay is less likely to push delivery into a weekend or holiday window.
• Make sure the recipient knows to be available and understands what the package is, so it isn’t left unattended longer than necessary.

If you’re coordinating a larger plan—one household keeping the main urn while others receive a portion—this is where keepsake urns and pet keepsake cremation urns can reduce tension. On Funeral.com you can browse Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes for human sharing plans and Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes for pet loss sharing plans.

Insurance: what you can insure (and what you can’t)

This is a tender topic, because families don’t want “value” to be the point. But insurance is about financial coverage for loss or damage, and you should understand the rules so you can choose what feels responsible.

USPS explains that Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail include up to $100 of insurance in the price, and additional coverage is typically available.

For cremated remains shipments specifically, the permitted extra services have been addressed in USPS rulemaking. A Federal Register notice about cremated remains packaging requirements noted that extra services permitted include additional insurance and return receipt only. See Federal Register

What does that mean in plain language? You can often insure the shipment for the value of the container, urn, or jewelry item being shipped, and for the service itself. But insurance can’t make grief “whole” if the irreplaceable is lost. So families often treat insurance as a practical backstop, while leaning on careful packing and tracking as the real protection.

How mailing ashes fits into the bigger “what do we do now?” questions

Mailing ashes is rarely the only decision happening. It usually sits beside questions like keeping ashes at home, whether you’ll do a scattering ceremony, whether you’re planning water burial, and how to involve family who live far away. It can help to remember: you’re allowed to separate “what needs to happen this week” from “what we’ll decide when we’re ready.”

If you’re keeping ashes at home for a while, Funeral.com’s guides can help you think through safe placement and household harmony without making it feel clinical: Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally.

If the plan includes water burial or burial at sea, you may find that your timeline looks different, because weather, travel, and permits can shape the date. Funeral.com’s water burial resources can help you plan with less stress: Water Burial and Burial at Sea: What “3 Nautical Miles” Means and Water Burial Planning: A Simple Checklist for Families.

And if you’re trying to choose the right container before anything ships, these guides are often the gentlest place to start: How to Choose a Cremation Urn and How to Choose a Pet Urn. When families want wearable closeness, cremation jewelry can be a meaningful “one small part travels with me” option; you can explore Cremation Necklaces and learn the basics in Cremation Jewelry 101.

Cost questions: shipping and cremation expenses

People often ask about shipping costs right alongside broader cost questions like how much does cremation cost. USPS shipping price depends on factors like destination and weight, and USPS occasionally implements price changes that affect Priority Mail Express. For the most accurate postage, it’s best to price your specific shipment using USPS tools at the time you mail; USPS has a public FAQ page tracking postage price changes, including Priority Mail Express adjustments.

On the cremation side, families are often relieved to see a clear breakdown that separates professional service costs from choices like the urn. If you’re trying to steady yourself with real numbers and what drives them, Funeral.com’s recent cost guide is a helpful place to start: Average Cremation Cost and What Changes the Price.

Common mistakes to avoid (so you don’t create a crisis)

Most problems happen when someone tries to improvise. The safest mindset is: follow USPS rules exactly, and treat the process like you’re packing something both fragile and emotionally important—because you are.

• Don’t use Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, or another slower service. USPS states cremated remains must ship via Priority Mail Express (or Priority Mail Express International).
• Don’t use a random box “because it’s sturdy.” USPS has stated customers must use the special Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box.
• Don’t assume you need to find the old orange Label 139. USPS says Label 139 has been discontinued, and you should follow current guidelines.
• Don’t pack loosely. Cushion so the inner container cannot shift and remains siftproof.

FAQs

If you’re in the middle of this right now, the goal is not to become an expert in shipping. The goal is to get through one careful process, with as little stress as possible, while you’re already carrying enough. Order the kit, follow Publication 139, pack so nothing can shift, ship with Priority Mail Express, and keep your tracking close. Then, when the ashes arrive safely, you can return to the softer questions—how you want to honor them, where you want them to rest, and what kind of memorial feels like love.