Ideally, you would have your loved one’s remains in your city and ready to deal with as necessary, according to their final wishes. But sometimes, life doesn’t exactly work out according to plan.
Shipping cremated remains is a task that requires meticulous attention to detail, respect, and adherence to legal and regulatory guidelines. Whether you’re sending them domestically or internationally, it’s crucial to handle them with the utmost care.
This article outlines the dos and don’ts of shipping human remains safely, ensuring a respectful and smooth process, so let’s get started.
Before shipping cremated remains, thoroughly research and comply with the regulations of the shipping service and the destination country or state. Different countries and shipping carriers have specific rules regarding the shipment of human remains.
For example, you might live in the United States, but you might be shipping cremated remains back to your home country because your loved one’s wishes indicated that they wanted to be buried in their birthplace. In this case, you would have to have a conversation with the authorities in that country before making any shipping arrangements.
In the United States, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is the only legal carrier for shipping cremated remains domestically. Use their Priority Mail Express service with the appropriate packaging and labeling.
For international shipments, you need to comply with the regulations of the destination country and choose a carrier authorized to handle such shipments. Contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country for specific guidelines.
Proper cremated remains packaging is essential to ensure they are transported safely and respectfully. The USPS provides specific guidelines for packaging cremated remains.
Use a durable, leak-proof, and sift-proof container. Typically, this is the urn provided by the cremation funeral home.
Make sure to spend the money necessary to buy a good-quality urn from the funeral home, so you don’t regret it later.
Place the primary container in a sealed plastic bag. This is to prevent any leakage or damage.
Use ample padding material, such as bubble wrap or foam, around the primary container. This will ensure the safe transport of ashes and protect them from damage during transit.
Use a strong, rigid outer container to provide additional protection. The USPS offers a Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box, which is specifically designed for this purpose.
Proper labeling is crucial for the safe and respectful handling of cremated remains. Affix the USPS Label 139, which is the “Cremated Remains” label, to all sides of the package. This label ensures that the package is handled with care and priority when mailing cremains.
Clearly write the recipient’s address and your return address. Double-check for accuracy to avoid any delivery issues.
Although it may be difficult to quantify the value of cremated remains, insuring the package can provide peace of mind in case of loss or damage during transit. USPS offers insurance options for Priority Mail Express shipments.
You can also use another company to insure cremated remains if you want to be covered on all ends.
Inform the recipient about the shipment details, including the tracking number and expected delivery date. This ensures they are prepared to receive the package and can track its progress.
Using unauthorized carriers to ship cremated remains can result in legal issues, loss, or damage. In the United States, only the USPS is authorized to ship cremated remains domestically. Using other carriers, even reputable ones, is not compliant with federal regulations.
Using inadequate packaging can lead to damage or loss of the remains during transit. Always use proper containers, padding, and outer boxes as specified by the shipping guidelines.
Inadequate packaging not only disrespects the remains but also increases the risk of mishandling. The one thing you will not regret is spending more on packaging and an urn for your loved one’s remains.
Ignoring legal requirements and regulations can result in significant delays, fines, or even the return of the shipment. Ensure you comply with all legal requirements, including obtaining necessary permits and documentation for international shipments.
Tracking the package allows you and the recipient to monitor its progress and ensure it reaches its destination safely. Always use a shipping service that provides tracking, and share the tracking number with the recipient.
Certain documentation may be required for shipping cremated remains, especially for international shipments.
Are you already overwhelmed by all you have to do for a cremated remains funeral? Don’t fret.
We have some bonus tips below which will help make the process simpler and easier for you.
Consider the timing of the shipment to avoid delays caused by holidays or weekends. Shipments sent just before weekends or holidays may experience delays due to reduced postal service hours.
Once you have cremated your loved one, the only thing left of them would be your memory of them and that can’t be enough sometimes. Many people lament that they didn’t keep a better memento of their loved ones, like a recording of their voice or a keepsake of a lock of their hair.
If you have the time to plan properly, make sure that you keep a lock of your loved one’s hair and store it properly so you can always have a piece of your loved one with you. You will also notice that you start forgetting their voice after a while, and having a recording of it, will keep their memory very fresh in your mind.
This can help alleviate or hasten up the grieving process, which can take years sometimes.
If you aren’t familiar with the process of how to ship ashes, being a first-timer, it’s better to work with an expert.
Funeral homes have experience and knowledge in handling and shipping cremated remains. They can assist with the packaging, documentation, and shipping process, ensuring everything is handled correctly.
For example, at Lone Star Cremation Home, you can plan your cremation, so if you are ill or your loved one is, then you can start planning the arrangements. You can prepay for the cremation funeral and start putting things together so you aren’t doing it all at the last minute.
Be aware of cultural sensitivities and religious practices related to the handling of cremated remains. Some cultures have specific rituals and requirements that need to be respected during the shipping process.
It’s extremely important to keep this in mind if you have an interracial marriage since your partner’s culture might have different rules regarding how cremated remains should be treated.
Prepare for contingencies by keeping extra copies of all documents and having a backup plan in case the package is delayed or lost. Having a clear plan in place can help mitigate stress and ensure the remains are treated with the utmost respect.
This is also why having a memento of your loved one, like a lock of hair or a voice recording is so important. At least you will have something of theirs in case the cremated remains go awry.
Consulting with legal and professional advisors can provide additional guidance and ensure all legal requirements are met. They can also help navigate any complex regulations or requirements specific to the destination.
This is especially important if there is a huge estate that has to be dealt with since the process of inheritance and related tasks can take a long time to come to fruition.
Clear communication with the recipient, funeral home, and shipping carrier is essential for a smooth shipping process. Ensure all parties are aware of the shipment details and any specific instructions or requirements.
Keep everyone in the loop by creating a Whatsapp chat group. This way you don’t have to message each person individually, taking up a lot of your limited time and resources.
It’s not every day that you would be planning to or thinking about shipping human remains. It’s an unusual circumstance and deserves some additional care.
That’s why the article above with its myriad tips should be a good start. If you need more help with the process, the staff at Lone Star Cremation would be happy to answer all of your questions.
We make things simple, affordable, and convenient. Also, we bring tons of experience to the process so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Chat with us today to learn more about shipping cremated remains.
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