How to Ship Cremated Ashes
Learn how to safely and respectfully ship cremated remains using the USPS Cremated Remains Kit. Step-by-step guidance, what’s included, and how BONAVENTURE can help.
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📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Why Proper Shipment Matters
Shipping cremated remains (also known as “cremains”) is more than a logistics task—it’s a meaningful final step in honoring a loved one’s legacy. Making sure the package is handled with dignity, regulatory compliance, and respect ensures that the transition from crematory to destination (or ceremony) is as seamless as possible.
Is It Illegal to Ship Ashes in the Mail?
Shipping cremated ashes is completely legal within the United States, but it must be done through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) — the only carrier authorized to transport cremated remains domestically or internationally.
While the process is secure, it’s important to follow the proper steps to ensure your loved one’s ashes arrive safely and respectfully. BONAVENTURE’s guide to shipping ashes walks you through each detail — from selecting the official USPS Cremains Kit to proper labeling and packaging — so you can ship with confidence, care, and peace of mind.
While the process is secure, it’s important to follow the proper steps to ensure your loved one’s ashes arrive safely and respectfully. BONAVENTURE’s guide to shipping ashes walks you through each detail — from selecting the official USPS Cremains Kit to proper labeling and packaging — so you can ship with confidence, care, and peace of mind.
What Is the USPS Cremated Remains Kit?
The USPS offers a free “Cremated Remains Kit 2” (SKU P_BOX_CREKIT2) that includes everything you need to safely prepare cremains for shipment. USPS Store The kit features:
A Priority Mail Express cremated remains box, reinforced and clearly labeled “Cremated Remains.” USPS Store
A roll of Priority Mail Express tape to securely seal the box. USPS Store
Bubble cushioning material to protect the inner container. USPS Store
A self-sealing plastic bag (14” × 17”) for placing the cremains container inside. USPS Store
A copy of Publication 139: “How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains”, with all the postal guidelines. USPS Store
Because the box is pre-printed and reinforced specifically for cremated remains, it helps ensure visibility, proper handling, and compliance with USPS protocols. USPS Store
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Step-by-Step: How to Use the Kit to Ship Ashes
Prepare the Cremains Container. Ensure the urn or temporary container is sealed, appropriately labeled, and placed in the self-sealing plastic bag provided.
Cushion the Interior. Use the bubble cushioning to surround the bagged container inside the box so there’s minimal movement.
Seal and Label. Use the Priority Mail Express tape to close the box securely. Follow the instructions in Publication 139 for correct labeling (e.g., “Cremated Remains”).
Ship via Priority Mail Express. Cremated remains must be shipped via Priority Mail Express—no other USPS service qualifies. USPS Store
Track the Shipment. The kit includes USPS Tracking® service, so you can monitor the package from send to receive. USPS Store
Notify the Destination. Inform the recipient or ceremony provider (such as BONAVENTURE) of the tracking number and expected arrival so everything is ready.
Why This Kit Matters for BONAVENTURE Families
When your scattering ceremony is planned in a natural destination—whether a national park, coastline, or remote meadow—the logistics of how the ashes arrive matter deeply. Using the USPS kit ensures:
Bottom Line: USPS is the only legal way to ship ashes in the United States
Regulatory compliance, reducing risk of delay.
Secure packaging, so the remains travel safely.
Respectful appearance and handling, reinforcing the dignity of the occasion.
Seamless transition from crematory to wherever the scattering takes place, be it in the wild or at a curated destination.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Ash Scattering: Common Questions and Tips
Q: Can I use any box instead of the USPS kit?
A: No, it is not legal– the USPS kit is pre-approved for cremains and ensures you meet USPS requirements (Priority Mail Express only, correct labeling, tracking). It’s the most reliable option.
Q: When should I ship?
A: Ship soon after receiving the ashes and once you’ve scheduled your ceremony. Tip: Choose a shipping day to avoid weekend or holiday delays.
Q: Do I need to keep documentation?
A: Yes. Retain the tracking number, receipts, for peace of mind as the package travels.
Q: Can I use FedEx or UPS?
No. Only USPS is authorized to ship human cremated remains in the U.S. Cremation.Green+1
Q: Do I need special labels?
Yes — use the official kit with the “Cremated Remains” printed box
Q: How much does it cost?
The kit is free from USPS, but shipping costs (Priority Mail Express) depend on weight and zone. Direct Cremate
Q: What about international shipping?
It’s possible only when Priority Mail Express International is available and when the recipient country allows cremated remains. Check regulations early. ICCFA+1
Q: What should I include inside the box?
In addition to the cremains, put a piece of paper with sender and recipient contact info, and include documentation like the death certificate or cremation certificate. USPS+1
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
How to Travel with Cremated Remains:
A Complete Guide to a Smooth and Meaningful Journey
When a loved one’s final wish is to rest somewhere extraordinary—beneath Yellowstone’s wide skies, along Hawaii’s glimmering coast, or within the stillness of the Tetons—the journey becomes part of the farewell itself. Traveling with cremated remains is both a practical and deeply emotional act. It asks for preparation, respect, and knowledge of regulations so the passage is as seamless as it is sacred.
If you’re beginning this process, BONAVENTURE’s resource How to Travel with Cremated Remains: A Helpful Guide offers a detailed starting point. It outlines TSA and airline requirements, how to select the right urn for screening, and how to navigate international travel with sensitivity and care.
✈️ Airplane — traveling with ashes
Most airlines allow cremated remains, but each has its own policies regarding carry-on versus checked baggage. In nearly all cases, remains should travel in a carry-on bag within a lightweight, TSA-approved urn. Materials such as wood or biodegradable paper are ideal because they can be easily scanned. Always carry the cremation certificate and death certificate in your personal item, as they may be required for verification at security checkpoints.
🧳 Luggage — carrying ashes during travel: Traveling by Car
For those driving to destinations like Zion, Glacier, or Mount Rainier, carrying ashes by car offers flexibility and privacy. Keep the urn in a secure, upright container—ideally cushioned within a travel box or the USPS Cremated Remains Kit if mailing or transporting long-distance. Avoid leaving the container in direct sunlight or heat for extended periods, and plan ahead for overnight stops or transfers to ensure the remains are always handled respectfully.
Mailing Cremated Remains
If you cannot personally travel, BONAVENTURE can receive your loved one’s ashes safely through USPS Priority Mail Express using their official Cremated Remains Kit. To learn exactly how mailing works and what to expect, see Can Cremation Ashes Be Mailed? What You Need to Know About Shipping Ashes Safely.
If You’re Traveling to a National Park
For families planning a scattering at a protected destination, the National Park Service provides guidance on memorialization and permits. Each park has its own rules to ensure the ceremony remains respectful and environmentally sound. It’s also wise to review the 10 Essentials for Safe Hiking to prepare for varying terrain and weather conditions. If you’re unsure where to begin, BONAVENTURE’s guide How to Scatter Ashes in a National Park explains the process step-by-step.
Scattering Ashes at Sea
Some families prefer to return their loved ones to the ocean. When scattering at sea, it’s essential to follow EPA guidance on burial at sea and file a Notice of Scattering within 30 days. BONAVENTURE’s resource Scattering Ashes at Sea explores how to plan a ceremony that feels both safe and transcendent.
Creating Meaning Along the Way
No matter how you travel—with suitcase, shipping box, or your own steady hands—this journey holds emotional weight. BONAVENTURE’s offerings, from 50 Creative Ash Scattering Ideas to What to Say at a Celebration of Life, can help you find language and ritual that feel authentic. Each step—booking the flight, filling out the permit, selecting the urn—is a quiet act of devotion, carrying someone’s story toward its final horizon.
To explore how BONAVENTURE can help facilitate your destination scattering with care and simplicity, visit How BONAVENTURE’s Ash Scattering Service Works.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
🔔 How to Scatter Ashes the Right Way
1. Can I Travel with Cremated Remains on a Plane?
Yes. Most airlines allow passengers to carry cremated remains in their hand luggage, provided the urn is made of a material that can be X-rayed (such as wood or biodegradable paper). You’ll need the cremation certificate and death certificate on hand for verification. BONAVENTURE recommends keeping the urn in a padded case and treating it as a carry-on—never checked baggage. For complete guidance, read How to Travel with Cremated Remains: A Helpful Guide.
2. What’s the Safest Way to Mail Cremated Ashes?
The United States Postal Service is the only authorized carrier for mailing human ashes domestically or internationally. Always use Priority Mail Express with the official USPS Cremated Remains Kit, which includes all required labeling and tracking. BONAVENTURE’s guide Can Cremation Ashes Be Mailed? walks you through the process from packaging to delivery confirmation.
3. Do You Need Permission to Scatter Ashes in a National Park?
Yes. Each U.S. National Park requires a special use permit for ash scattering to ensure ceremonies are conducted respectfully and sustainably. You can apply through the National Park Service Memorialization page. BONAVENTURE’s detailed guide How to Scatter Ashes in a National Park explains how to apply, where scattering is permitted, and how to honor both your loved one and the land.
4. What’s the Best Way to Plan a Meaningful Scattering Ceremony?
A thoughtful scattering ceremony begins with intention—choosing a location that mirrors your loved one’s spirit, preparing words or readings, and inviting participants to connect with nature. BONAVENTURE’s guides, including 50 Creative Ash Scattering Ideas and What to Say for a Celebration of Life, offer creative ways to make the moment deeply personal. Whether among wildflowers, mountains, or waves, the most meaningful ceremonies are those grounded in love and place.
Understanding U.S. Cremation Laws: What You Should Know
Legal Basis & Consumers’ Rights
Cremation is a fully legal method of disposition across the United States, but each state sets its own laws around how cremation must be conducted and how the cremated remains may be handled. Pulvis Art Urns For example, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give itemized price lists and allow consumers to pick only the goods and services they want, including cremation options. Pulvis Art Urns+1
Authorization for Cremation
In most states, a designated “authorization agent”—typically a spouse, adult child, or next‑of‑kin—must sign a cremation authorization form. If more than one person qualifies as next‑of‑kin, often all must agree or all must sign. Pulvis Art Urns
Disposal of Cremated Remains
Disposal laws vary widely. While some states allow ashes to be scattered without restriction, others require permits or restrict scattering in public lands, some regulate burial on private property, and others restrict interment in certain places. Pulvis notes this variation and advises families to check state and local laws before selecting a location. Pulvis Art Urns+1
Key Take‑Aways for Planning
Always verify the domicile state’s regulations where the cremation or scattering will occur.
Ensure the authorization paperwork is signed by the correct person(s) as required by state law.
If you plan to scatter ashes, check whether the land (private, public, sea) requires permits, location restrictions, or has limitations.
Make sure your chosen urn or container meets any cemetery, land‑use, or scattering regulations. According to Pulvis, restrictions may apply on what type of urn or container may be used in burial or planting settings. Pulvis Art Urns
Even if scattering is allowed broadly, public land or needs for environmental protection may impose further requirements—therefore, when in doubt, check with the land manager or relevant authority.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
How BONAVENTURE Supports This Legal Framework
At BONAVENTURE we work within this regulatory environment to ensure you can focus on honoring your loved one rather than navigating legal complexity. We help by:
Guiding you through the authorization process and verifying necessary signatures.
Helping you identify whether the location you’ve chosen allows scattering or interment under local rules.
Ensuring your chosen container or urn will comply with both land‐use and cemetery rules.
Coordinating permits or required documentation if you select public lands or specialized sites.
Recommended Resource
For more detail on state‐by‐state laws about cremation and disposition of remains, see the original article by Pulvis Art Urns: “Cremation Laws in the USA – 2023 Guide.” Pulvis Art Urns
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Bringing Cremated Remains or Bodies into the United States: A Complete Guide
Transporting human remains to the U.S. involves specific federal guidelines to ensure safety, legality, and respect for the deceased. Whether you are shipping ashes or traveling with them in person, understanding these rules helps prevent delays and ensures a dignified process.
1. Importing Cremated Remains
Fully cremated ashes do not require a death certificate to enter the U.S.
Cremated remains may be shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS), the only carrier authorized for human ashes domestically and internationally. Using an official USPS Cremains Kit ensures proper labeling and secure packaging. See BONAVENTURE’s guide to shipping ashes for step-by-step instructions.
When traveling with ashes yourself, the TSA requires ashes to be in a temporary or permanent container made of lightweight, x-ray-friendly materials such as wood, plastic, or cardboard. Lead or metal containers may not be allowed.
2. Importing Non-Cremated Human Remains
Bodies in coffins or remains intended for interment or subsequent cremation must be accompanied by a death certificate stating the cause of death.
If the death certificate is not in English, provide a certified English translation.
CBP officers will examine the death certificate to ensure compliance with CDC importation rules. If requirements are not met, CBP will hold the remains and coordinate with the appropriate quarantine station.
If a death certificate is unavailable for returning remains, the U.S. embassy or consulate may issue a consular mortuary certificate confirming the deceased did not die from a quarantinable communicable disease.
3. Exemptions and Additional Notes
Corpses in coffins, along with accompanying flowers, are exempt from duty. CBP officers may inspect flowers for agricultural restrictions.
Items such as clean, dry bones, human hair, teeth, fingernails, or toenails are generally exempt from documentation requirements.
4. Air Travel Considerations
When traveling by air, ashes must be transported in containers that can pass TSA X-ray machines.
Suitable containers include temporary or permanent urns made of plastic, wood, cardboard, or non-lead ceramics.
Airlines may have additional documentation requirements, especially for international flights, such as a cremation certificate, death certificate, or export permits.
5. Planning and Best Practices
Keep copies of all documentation: cremation certificate, death certificate, shipping receipts, and tracking numbers if mailing.
Notify the receiving party of arrival timing and handling procedures.
For scattering in National Parks, follow the NPS permit rules and hiking safety tips (10 Essentials).
For scattering at sea, follow EPA guidelines to remain compliant.
6. BONAVENTURE Support
BONAVENTURE helps families navigate both travel and shipping of cremated remains with care and respect. For step-by-step guidance on safely traveling with ashes, see How to Travel with Cremated Remains: A Helpful Guide.
You Must Sign for Cremated Remains: Secure Delivery Matters
When shipping cremated remains, it’s important to remember that USPS requires the recipient to sign for the package. This ensures your loved one’s ashes arrive safely, securely, and directly into the hands of the intended recipient. Always use tracked, signature-required shipping services when mailing ashes, whether domestically or internationally.
Signing for the shipment is more than a formality — it guarantees accountability and peace of mind, preventing loss or mishandling during transit. BONAVENTURE’s guide to shipping ashes safely walks you through the proper packaging, labeling, and delivery options, ensuring every step complies with USPS regulations and federal guidelines.
