How to Pack and Ship Cremation Remains

One of the cremations services offered in Monticello, FL is help with packing and shipping cremation remains (cremains). After cremations are completed, the cremains may need to be packed and shipped to another location. This location could be a place that was special to the deceased or it could be back home where the deceased grew up and where their other family members are buried.

 

Funeral home directors handle the process of shipping human remains for burial somewhere else, but generally family members assume possession of cremains and are responsible for getting them where they need to be. But funeral directors can help make sure the cremains are packed correctly (in TSA-approved containers or a sturdy container for shipping by the U. S. Postal Service), which is one of the biggest issues people encounter when they are trying to ship cremains.

 

Most American domestic airlines will carry cremains. Carrying cremains could refer to a person who is taking the cremains with them to a specific place or it could refer to the cremains being shipped as air cargo. When shipping cremains by air, the container with the cremains in it. It must be security friendly. Because the contents of the container must be completely visible when scanned for TSA approval, they must be very thin-walled and lightweight urns that are made with wood or plastic.

 

Be sure to tell the funeral home director that you intend to ship the cremains by air and they will make sure that you get a TSA-approved container for the cremains.

 

If the cremains are not in a security friendly container, the TSA will not allow it to pass through security. If their scanners can’t see the contents of the container, they can’t let the container on a plane. You can save yourself a lot of time, money, and extra grief by making sure that you get the right kind of container when the cremains are returned to you by the funeral home.

 

Be sure that the airline you select will carry cremains. Go to the airline’s website. If there is no information on it about shipping cremains, contact the airline to find out what its policy is before you arrive at the airport with your container of cremains.

 

It’s important to have original signed versions of all documents that are relevant. These would include a certified death certificate, the cremation authorization form, the cremains receipt, and the authority of the authorizing agent form.

 

The only legal way in America to ship cremains domestically or internationally is by using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). No other private shipping companies will knowingly accept or transport cremains.

 

For USPS shipment, the cremains must be packaged in a strong, durable container. Every domestic cremains shipment is done using USPS Priority Mail Express. International cremains shipments are done with USPS Priority Mail Express International Service. The only restriction on international shipments is that receipt of cremains must be accepted by the country they are being shipped to.

 

All cremains that are shipped using USPS must have a Label 139 sticker. This sticker makes it easier for mail handlers to know that the contents inside are cremains. The sticker should be affixed to the package beside to the shipping address.

 

If you’d like information about cremations services in Monticello, FL, talk with our knowledgeable and compassionate team at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations for guidance.