Royal Mail Policy on sending Ashes in the post
You cannot send the whole amount of cremated human remains / cremation ashes in the post. You can however send up to 50g of ashes.
The Post Office prohibits the full amount being sent either: nationally via Royal Mail and Parcelforce and internationally through Parcelforce Worldwide UK, which includes mail services: First Class, Second Class and Special Delivery
The consequence is that Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to items, not that you will fined for sending them.
This is what they say:
- UK & International – Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
- Volume per item must not exceed 50g.
- Ashes must be placed in a sift-proof container and securely closed. Items must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage.
- The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
Here is the link to Prohibited Goods on the Post Office Website – What can I send?
We can arrange the transport of ashes both nationally and internationally – transporting cremation ashes
Can I fill cremation jewelry with ashes and ship from US to UK? Is there anything special that has to be done?
Hi Erin
Small amounts of ashes can be sent for items such as jewellery.
Kind regards
Richard
Thanks for this and it is really helpful. I really opted to have an urn necklace so I don’t have to go through with this dilemma. I think whoever thought of jewelry that holds cremated ashes did a really great job. It has really helped people who are grieving the loss of loved ones. I myself have a piece that has my father’s ashes with me and it has really help me deal and cope with the loss.
What about dog ashes?
No, sorry.
Human or animal ashes
UK & International – Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Volume per item must not exceed 50g.
Ashes must be placed in a sift-proof container and securely closed. Items must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage.
The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
I wish to send some of my wife’s ashes to Cyprus to be spread over her father’s grave. I know the limit is 50g. Could you tell me how much this would cost me financially? Or do I have to contact the local Post Office.
James, that is the limit for the UK, I am afraid I don’t know what it is for Cyprus. As for the cost it would be the same as any other airmail package, the Post Office is the place to check, sorry not much help here.
Regards
Richard
My sister in South Africa would like to send me a small amount of ashes in a locket.Will this be passed through UK customs please.
I believe so but I can not guarantee it obviously.
Regards
Richard
I want to send my remains to the UK from Canada is this possible what forms would I have to get to do so. I guess I am ok with 50g but wondering is there a way to send all in 50g packages? I am making my will now and want to have correct information for my executors and trustees.
Dear Stella
You can use a couirer service that will transport the full amount, as 50g is a very small amount. Here is the lnik that may be useful – Transporting Ashes – Courier Service I hope this is useful.
We want to send the allowed amount of ashes to Australia to my Uncle’s family – he lived and died here in the UK but his children are still in Australia. Can I do this through the Royal Mail with appropriate packaging as detailed above?
The Royal Mail permit the sending of a small amount of ashes in the post. I have had a look at restricted and prohibited items in the australian post and I can’t find any references to ashes or cremated remains, have attached the relevant page from the Australian Postal Corporation: https://auspost.com.au/sending/check-sending-guidelines/dangerous-prohibited-items
I hope this helps
Thanks
Richard
Hi. I need to send a small amount of ashes of my aunt to her daughter in USA. I know that it needs to be in a siftproof container, securely closed, cushioned and tightly packaged. It will be less than 50g. Do I need a specific form to do this? Thank you.
On shipping from the US to UK, for the 50g weight, is that 50g for the ashes only or is it the combined weight of the container and ashes? We are looking to move back to the UK from the US and I want to ship my mother and father’s ashes (separately) to the UK.
Dear Robyn
I believe the restriction is 50g of ashes per parcel, not including the weight of the packaging. However you may wish to clarify this with Royal Mail: https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/contact
You can travel with ashes in hand luggage as long as you have the correct documentation. https://scattering-ashes.co.uk/help-advice/travelling-with-ashes/
Hope this helps.
My husband is deceased and I am left with his mothers cremated ashes. I live in the US and My husband’s sister lives in England..what is the proper procedure to send these ashes and can zip mail them COD
Hi Michelle, you cannot send more than 50g of ashes using USPS into the UK. They will get most likely be stopped at customs and either held or returned. You can use a specialist courier such as can been seen here.
https://scattering-ashes.co.uk/services/transporting/
Can I post 50 grams of human ashes from uk to usa I using using royal mail and if so fo I have to declare to royal mail what I am posting? Please
Hi this should help https://www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm
My grandfather passed away in India on holiday, he was cremated there however we would like the full ashes to be sent to the UK for us to scatter. Is there a service that can provide this. We have the death certificate and cremation documents.
Whats the go, when you want to post 50g of remains from the UK to USA?
Will it be allowed through? Or do I need to make sure that the postal service from USA to UPS?
Dear Sarah, you should definitely be able to post them from the Post Office without any issues and there is a chance it will get to the US. But USPS state they only accept ashes packages transported by Priority mail and that’s not something you can request without going through Parcelforce here and Parcelforce wont accept ashes.
So in conclusion it could be problematic, I’m sorry.
Kind regards
Richard
Hi I live in Australia and want to send my grandmothers cremated ashes back home to UK can they be posted we have death certificate and cremation certificate
Hi Julie
No, the UK Post office only accept a token amount to put in the post. This is the courier service that can transport them: https://scattering-ashes.co.uk/services/transporting/
Kind regards
Richard
Hi, Can you please confirm if the Statement below is correct?
Received from a US site that ships memorial glass
It looks like Royal Mail allowing the shipment of cremated remains is only applicable inside of Europe. As the US requires cremated remains to be shipped via USPS Priority Mail Express, we are still unable to ship cremated remains back to the UK. Unfortunately, we are still not able to work with clients in most of Europe
Hi Darren
This statement sounds correct as far as I can tell. Royal Mail allow the shipping of up to 50g of ashes domestically and internationally however incoming customs is another matter I’m afraid.
I have just contacted Royal Mail, who have told me I cannot send any cremains in the post.
So what do I do now?
Please can I ask how you contacted Royal Mail? The link above to their website still states that you are allowed to send up to 50 grams of ashes through the post, therefore you should experience no problems at your local Post Office.
I would Luke to send ashes to Canada BC can I do this? How much would it cost for 50 grams to be sent?
Hi there, if you are in the UK you can send up to 50 grams of ashes internationally however for prices you will need to speak with your local Post Office and also to check that Canada allow the import of ashes.
I want to send cremated cashes to a Queensland address how much would this cost and can my local post master help me?
Dear Sonia
If you are based in the USA USPS can arrange the transport of ashes internationally however, you would need to speak with your local Post Master to check that Cremated remains are not otherwise prohibited by Australian customs. https://about.usps.com/publications/pub139.pdf