Can Pet Ashes Be Mailed? Nursing Pets
A devastating moment comes in your life when you need to mail pet cremated ashes to honor your feathered friend for the last time. Many pet owners make a glass piece with their pet ashes, while others infuse the ashes into jewelry.
Now, the question is “Can pet ashes be mailed?” Mailing pet ashes is legal both domestically and internationally. You can mail pet cremation ashes by packaging in a couple of containers: the leak-proof, strong inner container and the secure, robust outer package. In North America, the USPS only allows mailing pet ashes.
Apart from making jewelry and showpieces, some other reasons are out there to mail pet cremation ashes. The reasons include sending the ashes back home and distributing them among family members.
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Mailing Your Pet Ashes in the United States
If you’re going to mail your pet ashes in the United States, you’ll need to use the United States Postal Service (USPS) that only offers legal cremated ashes shipping. Other reputed companies, such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS, don’t ship cremated remains.
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How to Package Pet Ashes for Mailing
Once you’ve decided to mail pet ashes, you have to contact the United States Postal Service. You’ll need to follow some specific instructions for packaging the cremated remains. In this section, we’re now going to discuss how to package pet ashes for mailing.
#01. Inner Container
In order to ensure safe transit, the USPS wants you to make your ashes sift-proof and properly sealed with a durable inner container. Also, your mail could be x-rayed to check whether it carries any harmful or illegal substances.
So, we recommend you use a lightweight container made of cardboard, wood, fiberboard, or plastic. In this regard, you can use the Casket Depot Biodegradable Urn (the link takes you to Amazon). Don’t use metal, stone, or granite containers.
#02. Cushioning Material
Once you’ve sealed the ashes in a sift-proof inner container, you’ll need to make it shock-resistant to prevent it from getting damaged while shipping. To do this, add padding to the inner container with bubble wraps, foam peanuts, or air pillows.
On top of that, you’ll need to make sure that there is enough space to secure each side for maximum protection. The Perforated Bubble Cushioning Wrap from Amazon is our recommendation. You can even ship fragile and heavy items with this bubble wrap.
#03. Outer Package
The outer package could be either USPS-produced or customer-supplied. Whichever option you prefer, you’ll need to make sure that the outer package must be robust and sift-proof. To get the USPS-produced cremated remains box, you have to order it online.
Furthermore, you should line the outer package bottom with sift-proof materials. This is because if the inner container gets damaged, the sift-proof material will prevent pet ashes from being lost. Attach a paper with sender’s and recipient’s information to the package.
#04. Labels and Markings
Your package of pet cremated remained must be marked with label 139 on each side, including top and bottom. As an online tracking system, your package must also be marked with the priority mail express service label 11-B.
The label 139 is designed to enhance the entire shipping process much quicker, while the label 11-B needs to be used for online tracking. You can find both labels online at USPS.com or physically at a post office.
How Much Does It Cost To Mail Pet Cremated Ashes?
Since you can only ship pet cremated remains through the USPS, you have very limited options for pricing. However, the cost may vary from 10 to 30 bucks, depending on several factors of the package. Here is the estimation of sending domestic parcels.
| Type of Package | Size | Weight | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Package | 5.5” × 2.2” × 1.75” | 1 lb. | $10 |
| Medium Package | 11.25” × 8.75” x 6” | 3 lbs. | $18 |
| Large Package | 12.25” x 12.25” x 6” | 3.5 lbs. | $27 |
How Long Does The Parcel Take To Be Mailed?
The Priority Mail Express of the USPS usually takes 1 to 2 working days to deliver the parcel. The guaranteed delivery time ranges from 12 pm to 3 pm. However, you can ask for an emergency delivery for an additional fee. You can get the parcel between 10 to 11 am and even Sunday.
N.B. The emergency delivery services are not available in all states. That’s why you should confirm it with the USPS.
Mailing Your Pet Ashes Internationally
Not only does the USPS allow domestic pet cremation shipping, but it also mails your pet ashes internationally. However, you have to follow some extra rules for sending pet ashes abroad. Some countries, like Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, don’t allow pet cremation ashes.
If you want to ship cremated remains abroad, you may need to plan and research more because of the individual rules of each country. For instance, you can only ship 50 grams of pet ashes in the United Kingdom.
What to Do When Packaging Pet Ashes
For overseas shipping, the ashes must be put in a durable inner container sealed and sift-proof to prevent leakage. After that, the container should be cushioned with bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or air pillows for added protection.
Once you’ve cushioned the inner container with shock-resistant material, put it in a durable, sift-proof outer package, no matter what it’s USPS-produced or customer-supplied. For getting the USPS-produced outer package, you’ll need to order it online.
Finally, label 139 must be attached to your package on each side with a paper of sender’s and recipient’s information. Instead of using label 11-B (that needs to be used for domestic shipping), you’ll need to attach an international shipping label and a custom form (2976-B).
How Much Does It Cost To Ship Cremation Ashes Abroad?
In order to send pet cremation ashes abroad, you may need to cost around 50 to 80 dollars or as much as 130 dollars, depending on the weight and size of the package and the recipient country’s rules and regulations.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Overseas?
The Priority Mail Express of the USPS usually delivers between 6 to 10 working days, depending on which country you’re sending the package to. If you send a package overseas, the recipient may take it in around 10 to 12 days, including Sundays and other national holidays.
Wrapping Up
After all, you can send a package of your pet cremation ashes if it meets the requirements of the USPS rules and regulations. If you want to mail the ashes internationally, you’ll need to know the recipient country’s rules and regulations regarding mailing pet ashes.
However, we hope you find this post pretty helpful in mailing your pet cremation ashes. If you have any experience in sending cremated remains either domestically or internationally, you can share it with us by leaving comments below.
This was really informative. When we had our pet cremation, we really got some jewelry for each of us in the family to carry our pets ashes with us wherever we are.