Shipping Cremated Remains: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025-2026

Losing a loved one is an overwhelming experience, and the logistics that follow can often feel like an added burden during a time of grief. For many families, the final resting place is not always where the death occurred. Whether you are sending a portion of a loved one’s ashes to a relative across the country or transporting remains to a meaningful location for scattering, understanding the process of shipping cremated remains is essential.

Navigating the federal regulations and postal requirements for mailing ashes can be daunting, but it is a task that must be handled with precision to ensure your loved one arrives safely. As of 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented stricter guidelines to modernize the transport of remains, making it more important than ever to stay informed about the latest legal requirements and packaging standards.

The Legal Landscape: Why Only USPS?

It is a common misconception that you can choose any major courier to transport ashes. However, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is currently the only legal carrier authorized to ship human or animal cremated remains within the U.S. Federal law and the terms of service for private carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL strictly prohibit the transport of human ashes.

This "Only One" rule exists because the USPS has established a specialized "hand-sort" protocol for these shipments. Unlike standard packages that go through high-speed automated sorting machines, packages labeled with the official "Cremated Remains" stickers are handled with a higher degree of manual oversight to prevent damage or loss.

In the 2022 fiscal year, the USPS shipped 165,838 sets of remains, and that number continues to rise. With the national cremation rate projected to exceed 80% by 2045, shipping ashes has transitioned from a niche service to a standard logistical necessity for the modern funeral industry.

Mandatory 2025 Updates and USPS Kits

As of March 1, 2025, the USPS has implemented a major policy shift regarding how remains must be packaged. Previously, mailers could use any sturdy, sift-proof box as long as it was properly labeled. Now, the USPS requires the use of official, branded Cremated Remains Packaging Kits (BOX-CRE).

The New Mandatory Kit (BOX-CRE)

The official kit is designed to be highly visible to postal workers. These boxes are bright orange and white, ensuring that they are never confused with standard mail. You can order these kits for free from the USPS online store, but they are generally not stocked at local post office branches.

New Small-Scale Shipping for Jewelry

In May 2025, the USPS introduced a Small Priority Mail Express box specifically for "cremated remains in any state." This includes ashes that have been incorporated into glass, stones, or jewelry. If you are mailing a keepsake or a piece of cremation jewelry, you must now use this specific 9" x 7.25" x 5" box rather than a standard padded envelope.

Step-by-Step: The "Box-in-a-Box" Method

To ensure the security of the remains, experts and the USPS recommend a multi-layered approach. Even with the mandatory outer kit, the internal packaging is your responsibility.

1. The Primary Container

The primary container is the urn or vessel holding the ashes. This container must be "sift-proof." A sift-proof container is one that prevents any fine powder from escaping, even if the box is shaken or inverted. This usually requires a threaded, screw-top lid. If the urn has a friction-fit lid (one that just slides on), you must seal the seam with heavy-duty adhesive tape.

2. The Inner Sealed Bag

Before placing the ashes into the urn, they should be contained within a sealed, heavy-duty plastic bag. This provides an extra layer of protection should the urn crack during transit.

3. The Secondary Container

Place the urn into a secondary sealed plastic bag. Then, place this into the official USPS BOX-CRE.

4. Cushioning and Padding

Use at least two inches of padding on all sides of the urn within the USPS box. Bubble wrap or high-density foam is preferred.

5. Interior Identification

Place a slip of paper inside the box—and a second slip inside the secondary plastic bag—that includes the sender’s and recipient’s names, addresses, and phone numbers. If the outer label is damaged or becomes unreadable, this internal identification allows the USPS to still deliver the remains.

Required Documentation for Shipping

While the USPS does not always demand to see documents at the counter for domestic shipping, having them inside the box is a best practice. For international shipping, they are mandatory.

• Cremation Certificate: A document from the crematory proving the remains have been processed.
• Death Certificate: A certified copy (or a high-quality photocopy for domestic transit) of the death certificate.
• Burial-Transit Permit: In some jurisdictions, this is required to move remains across state lines.

If you are shipping internationally, the requirements become much stricter. You must consult the USPS International Mail Manual (IMM) for the specific country. For example, Germany requires remains to be sent directly to a licensed cemetery or funeral director; they cannot be sent to a private residence.

Real-World Examples of Shipping Cremated Remains

Example 1: The Cross-Country Family Urn

A family in New York needed to send their father’s ashes to a sister in California for a private ceremony. They ordered the official USPS BOX-CRE kit two weeks in advance. They used the "box-in-a-box" method, wrapping the ceramic urn in several layers of bubble wrap. By choosing the "Signature Required" option, they ensured the package was never left unattended on a porch.

Example 2: The Keepsake Jewelry

In July 2025, a widow wanted to send a glass bead infused with her husband's ashes to her daughter. Under the new May 2025 rules, she used the Small Priority Mail Express box designed for jewelry. Even though the bead was small, using the official kit ensured it was hand-sorted and tracked with the highest priority.

Example 3: International Repatriation

Shipping ashes to the Philippines required the family to work with both the USPS and the local consulate. They had to include a "Consular Mortuary Certificate" alongside the Death Certificate and Cremation Certificate. This highlights why International Repatriation requires significantly more lead time than domestic shipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Shipping ashes is a high-stakes task where errors can lead to heartbreak. Here are the most frequent oversights:

• Using Standard Priority Mail: Many people assume "Priority Mail" is enough. Only Priority Mail Express is legal for cremated remains. Standard Priority mail is sorted by machines that can crush boxes or cause leaks.
• Improper Labeling: Even when using the official kit, you must ensure Label 139 (the bright orange "Cremated Remains" sticker) is applied to all six sides of the box. The kits usually come with these pre-printed, but if you are using a slightly older kit, you must add the stickers manually.
• Inadequate Padding: Thinking a "sturdy urn" doesn't need bubble wrap. Ceramic and even some metal urns can fracture under the pressure of other heavy packages in a mail truck.
• Forgetting the Signature: Never ship remains without selecting "Signature Required." This is the only way to guarantee the remains are handed to a person rather than left in a mailbox or on a doorstep.

Conclusion

Shipping cremated remains is more than just a logistical task; it is a final act of care for a loved one. By adhering to the 2025 USPS mandates, using the official BOX-CRE kits, and following the "box-in-a-box" method, you can ensure that your loved one’s remains are handled with the dignity they deserve. While the process is highly regulated, these rules exist to protect the sanctity of the remains and provide families with peace of mind.

If you find the process too complex to handle alone, remember that you can always reach out to a funeral professional. For those dealing with more complex moves, such as moving a body across state lines before cremation, our guide on Transporting Body Across States provides additional context.