When families talk about funeral planning today, the conversation often includes distance. Adult children may live in other states, a memorial service might be scheduled months after a death, or a loved one’s ashes may be headed to an artist who will create glass art or cremation jewelry. As the U.S. cremation rate continues to rise — projected to reach roughly two-thirds of all deaths in the coming years, according to the National Funeral Directors Association — more families are asking very practical, emotional questions: Is it safe to mail ashes? Is it legal? What exactly do we have to do so nothing goes wrong?
This guide walks you through mailing cremated remains within the United States using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), which is currently the only carrier that will transport human or pet ashes. We’ll cover the required USPS kits and labels, how to pack an urn correctly, what documents are helpful, and when it might be better to hand-carry ashes instead of mailing them. Along the way, you’ll see gentle pointers to Funeral.com resources and collections — cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, pet urns, and cremation necklaces — that can make broader decisions about what to do with ashes a little easier.
USPS Is the Only Carrier That Ships Cremated Remains
In the United States, USPS is the only shipping company that will accept cremated remains, whether human or animal. Private carriers such as UPS and FedEx do not allow ashes in any form. If you need to move ashes across state lines and you are not carrying them yourself, USPS is your only legal option.
USPS also has very specific rules that protect you, postal employees, and the package itself. Cremated remains must be sent using Priority Mail Express; you cannot use slower services like Priority Mail or Ground Advantage for ashes. Packages must be clearly marked as containing cremated remains so they receive careful handling and are not misrouted.
These rules apply whether you are mailing a full-sized urn, small cremation urns, keepsake urns holding just a portion of ashes, or even tiny amounts destined for cremation jewelry or glass memorials. As more people choose cremation — something the Cremation Association of North America notes has been steadily rising for years — these mailing rules have become a normal part of everyday funeral planning rather than a rare exception.
A New Requirement: USPS Cremated Remains Box and Kits
USPS has gradually tightened its rules for shipping ashes, and one of the most important changes is packaging. Customers mailing human or animal cremated remains in any form (ashes, jewelry, keepsakes) are now required to use the special Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box for these shipments. In other words, you may not simply use your own random box; you must pack the inner container inside the clearly marked USPS Cremated Remains box.
That means every shipment of ashes should meet three basic requirements:
- Use Priority Mail Express service.
- Place the ashes in the branded Cremated Remains box (often called “BOX-CRE”).
- Apply the high-visibility cremated remains labels to every side of the package.
To make this easier, USPS provides free Cremated Remains Kits you can order from the Postal Store or pick up at selected post offices. Kit contents can vary slightly, but typically include a Cremated Remains box, Priority Mail Express tape, cushioning material, a plastic inner bag, and a printed copy of Publication 139, How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains. The kits are free; you pay only for the Priority Mail Express postage and any optional services like insurance or signatures.
Required Labeling: USPS Cremation Label 139
In addition to using the Cremated Remains box itself, USPS requires that packages containing ashes be clearly marked with Label 139 (Cremated Remains). This bright orange label increases visibility so postal workers can handle the package with extra care, keep it upright, and ensure that it is routed correctly.
Best practice is to place Label 139 on every side of the box — front, back, both sides, top, and bottom. Retail post offices can provide the label, and you can also order it through USPS online. Although the Cremated Remains box already features printed markings, using Label 139 on all sides is still recommended so there is no doubt about what is being transported.
How to Pack Cremated Remains Safely for Mailing
USPS offers detailed packing guidelines in Publication 139, but the overall idea is simple: ash must be fully contained, well protected, and clearly identified even if something happens to the outer box. In practical terms, that means layering your protection.
Choose a secure inner container
The ashes must be in a sift-proof container, meaning no powder can escape even if the container is jostled or turned upside down. That inner container might be the temporary plastic box provided by the crematory, a tightly sealed cremation urn, or a small travel urn if you are mailing only a portion of the remains.
If you plan to keep ashes in a permanent urn later, you may choose something simple and durable for shipping, then transfer to a more decorative design from Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection once everything arrives safely.
Include identification inside
USPS recommends including a slip of paper inside the inner container or in a sealed bag around it with:
- The full name of the deceased
- Date of death
- Sender and recipient names, addresses, and phone numbers
This creates a backup record in case the outer label is damaged or separated from the package.
Bag, cushion, and protect the urn
Place the inner container into a sturdy, sealed plastic bag, such as the one provided in USPS Cremated Remains Kit 2. Then surround it with ample cushioning — bubble wrap, foam, or tightly crumpled paper — so the container cannot shift around inside the Cremated Remains box. If you gently shake the sealed box, you should not feel anything moving.
Add contact information inside the outer box
Before you seal the box, add another piece of paper with full sender and recipient contact details. This is another layer of safety for identifying the contents if the shipping label is damaged.
Seal, label, and address the box
Use strong tape to seal every seam of the Cremated Remains box. Address it clearly with full names and accurate ZIP codes, affix Label 139 to each side, and use a Priority Mail Express label or barcode (not stamps). At the post office counter, you can also request signature confirmation or insurance for additional peace of mind.
Helpful Paperwork to Have Ready
USPS does not generally require a death certificate to mail ashes within the United States, but it is a good idea to keep key documents readily available. For domestic shipping, many families keep a copy of the death certificate and the cremation certificate with their personal records and bring copies to the post office just in case questions arise.
For international shipping, requirements become much more complex. Some countries do not accept mailed cremated remains at all, while others require original documents, translation, or consular approvals. USPS advises labeling the contents as “Cremated Remains” on customs forms and checking directly with the destination country’s embassy or consulate before you attempt to ship internationally. In many cases, it may be simpler and safer to hand-carry ashes on an international flight.
Mailing Pet Ashes and Sending Ashes to Memorial Companies
The same USPS rules apply whether you are mailing human remains or mailing pet ashes. If you’re sending the ashes of a dog, cat, or other companion animal, they must still go via Priority Mail Express in a Cremated Remains box with Label 139.
This is common when families share ashes among relatives in pet urns for ashes, send a portion of ashes to a company that creates glass or metal memorials, or plan to have the ashes set into cremation jewelry. If you want to keep most of a pet’s ashes at home while sharing small keepsakes, collections such as Pet Cremation Urns for Ashes, Pet Figurine Cremation Urns for Ashes, and Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes can help you create a central memorial while still mailing smaller portions to others.
For very small amounts of ashes — for example, the tiny pinch used in a pendant or charm — some jewelers will send a dedicated kit that already meets USPS packaging rules. Always follow the instructions provided by the memorial company and still be sure that the outer shipment uses Priority Mail Express and the Cremated Remains box with Label 139.
Mailing vs Hand-Carrying Ashes: Which Is Better?
Sometimes you have a choice: mailing the ashes ahead or flying with them in your carry-on. The right answer depends on your comfort level, your timeline, and the specifics of your trip.
The Transportation Security Administration confirms that cremated remains are allowed in carry-on or checked luggage. However, the container must be X-ray scannable, and out of respect for the deceased, TSA officers will not open an urn. That usually means using a temporary urn made from plastic, wood, or lightweight material rather than heavy metal or stone.
Hand-carrying may be better when you plan to attend a service soon, want the reassurance of keeping the urn with you at all times, or are already travelling by air. Mailing may be better when no one is able to travel, when ashes need to reach a distant cemetery or funeral home, or when you are sending a portion of ashes to a specialized service such as a water-scattering company or a memorial artist.
If you are still deciding what kind of urn will work best for travel, the Funeral.com guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Actually Fits Your Plans walks through how container size, material, and design affect both travel and long-term placement.
Coordinating with Funeral Homes and Family at the Destination
Before you ship anything, talk with the person or organization that will receive the package. That could be a funeral home, a cemetery, a cremation provider, or a family member. Ask which name should appear on the label, whether someone will be available to sign for Priority Mail Express on the delivery day, and whether they have any local paperwork requirements such as a burial permit or original cremation certificate.
For families still thinking about keeping ashes at home, scattering, or planning a water burial after the package arrives, Funeral.com’s Journal offers in-depth guides such as Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally and articles on biodegradable urns and scattering options. These resources can help you decide what to do next once the immediate shipping concern is behind you.
Choosing Urns and Jewelry with Shipping in Mind
Because shipping adds one more step to the process, it can help to choose memorial products that work well for both travel and long-term remembrance.
If the plan is to keep a single focal urn at home, the Cremation Urns for Ashes collection includes secure, lidded designs in wood, metal, and other durable materials that are appropriate for mailing and display. When ashes will be shared — for example, some kept at home, some mailed to a sibling, and some sent to a scattering company — small cremation urns and Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes make it easier to divide and ship smaller portions.
For those who feel drawn to wearing a small amount of ashes close to the heart, Cremation Jewelry and Cremation Necklaces offer an intimate, portable memorial. The Funeral.com article Cremation Jewelry 101 explains how these pieces are made, how much ash they use, and who they might be right for.
Cost often plays a role too. If you are already asking how much does cremation cost, remember that urns, jewelry, and shipping are all part of the overall picture. Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost? Average Prices and Budget-Friendly Options breaks down typical expenses and helps you prioritize what matters most for your family.
Final Thoughts: A Plan That Feels Safe and Respectful
Mailing a loved one’s ashes can feel intimidating, but with the USPS Cremated Remains kits, clear Priority Mail Express rules, and a careful packing process, it is both legal and safe. The most important ingredients are a sift-proof inner container, a properly labeled Cremated Remains box, and a bit of extra time to double-check addresses and paperwork.
As you navigate these choices, remember that mailing ashes is just one piece of a larger story: choosing urns and keepsake urns, deciding between scattering, keeping ashes at home, or a water burial, and finding meaningful ways to honor a life. You do not have to decide everything at once; you can take each step as you are ready.
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