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Written by Mitch Tapner.
5 minute read
If you’re waiting on ashes, or wondering how they’ll reach a family member who lives elsewhere, there are a few straightforward options. One common misconception is worth clearing up early: you generally can’t just post ashes like a parcel. Here’s how it actually works.
Key takeaways:
Most often, ashes are collected in person by whoever is authorised to receive them, or returned to the family by the funeral director as part of their service. When collecting ashes, you may need to provide identification or confirmation that you’re authorised to receive them, depending on the crematorium or funeral director.
If the ashes need to travel further, a specialist courier may be able to deliver them safely, which we’ll explain below.
Only in a very limited way. Royal Mail’s guidance allows ashes in the post only up to 50 grams per item, in a sift-proof, securely closed container, with sturdy outer packaging and the sender’s name and return address clearly visible. Fifty grams is a small, symbolic portion, roughly a tablespoon, not a full set of remains, which typically weighs somewhere between 1.8 and 4 kilograms. So while a small token amount can technically go in the post, a full set of ashes generally can’t.
Other major couriers, including FedEx, DHL, UPS and DPD, generally don’t accept human ashes at all, whether within the UK or abroad. And it’s worth knowing that postal and courier services generally don’t accept liability if ashes are lost or damaged in transit, so it’s sensible to think carefully before sending a full set this way.
If ashes need to travel a significant distance, specialist ashes couriers and repatriation services can provide door-to-door delivery. They may transport ashes from a crematorium or funeral director to a family home, or between crematoria, with trained staff and signed-for paperwork helping to keep track of them throughout the journey.
Taking ashes abroad usually involves some additional requirements. You may need a copy of the death certificate and a certificate from the crematorium confirming the cremation and identity of the person who died. If you’re travelling by air, the urn will normally also need to be suitable for airport security screening.
It’s also worth understanding your ashes rights, particularly who is authorised to receive or make decisions about the ashes if they’re being transported to another family member or destination.
If Aura is carrying out a direct cremation for your family, we hand-deliver ashes back to you in a durable scatter tube, rather than posting them. The tube is designed to make it easier to keep the ashes safely at home or scatter ashes somewhere meaningful when you’re ready. That way, there’s a person to hand them to, and a moment to talk through anything you’re unsure about.
If you’d like more information about direct cremation and Aura’s funeral plans, then our downloadable guide can help. Find out why others are choosing this affordable, no-fuss alternative to traditional funerals and why it might be right for you too.
Download our guide by clicking the link below and learn more about this simple funeral plan option.
Only in small amounts. Royal Mail allows up to 50 grams per item in the post, a small symbolic portion, not a full set of remains. Full ashes generally need a specialist courier or in-person collection instead.
Most often, they’re collected in person by whoever is authorised, or handed over by the funeral director. Specialist couriers exist for situations where ashes need to travel further.
Yes, specialist ashes-courier and repatriation services can handle international delivery, generally with documentation such as a death certificate copy and cremation certificate, and an x-rayable urn for air travel.
In a limited way. Royal Mail permits up to 50 grams per item, in a sift-proof, securely closed container with sturdy outer packaging, but this only covers a small token portion, not a full set of ashes.
Postal and courier services generally don’t accept liability for loss or damage to ashes in transit. It’s worth bearing this in mind and asking any specialist courier directly about their own procedures before sending a full set.