Instructions For Sending Ashes with the United States Postal Service
Please note: The following information is for San Diego County burials only.
For other locations, please contact us for the correct shipping address, prices and forms.
View the Informational Flyer
You can download the PDF which includes instructions and our letter of authorization.
Continue reading below:
The USPS has a "How-To" on their website: http://about.usps.com/publications/pub139/pub139_v00_001.htm
Your funeral home may be able to assist you in shipping ashes if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself. You can also call us, and we can walk you through the process step by step.
Things that must be included in your package:
Ship To:
Ashes on the Sea
P.O. Box 710693
San Diego, CA 92171
Your loved one's ashes will be scattered at sea usually within 30 days of receipt. California law requires ashes be scattered within 60 days of receipt. We will email you when we have dispersed the ashes. If you wish to be called before the ashes are scattered, please let us know. There is no additional charge for the phone call. If there is no answer, we will leave a voice mail.
Questions? Please view our Frequently Asked Questions section or call us at 858-277-2799.
USPS Guidelines
Cremated Human Ashes may only be shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS) - Neither Federal Express nor UPS allow for the shipment of ashes at this time. A private courier service may be used, although this can be quite expensive.
The USPS has the following regulations, which you can find in USPS Publication 52:
12.9.3 Cremated Remains
[1-26-14] Human and animal ashes (cremated remains) are permitted to be mailed provided they are in a strong and durable container and packaged as required in 9.2. The identity of the contents should be marked (Label 139, is preferred) on the address side next to the shipping label. Mailpieces sent to domestic addresses must be sent using Priority Mail Express service.
You can download the PDF which includes instructions and our letter of authorization.
Continue reading below:
The USPS has a "How-To" on their website: http://about.usps.com/publications/pub139/pub139_v00_001.htm
Your funeral home may be able to assist you in shipping ashes if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself. You can also call us, and we can walk you through the process step by step.
- If we are obtaining the California burial permit for you, Please mail the original or a certified copy of the death certificate (this will be returned to you).
- If you have a valid California burial permit that states disposition as "At Sea off the coast of San Diego County" then we do not need the death certificate. If you have any questions about this, please call us, or fax / email us your paperwork to check.
- Please print out this letter of authorization and fill it out.
- Please ship the ashes with the following guidelines:
- Pack the cremains in a siftproof container. The original plastic bag provided by the crematory is sufficient as a siftproof container.
- Put the siftproof container in a padded shipping box - your mortuary or funeral home can provide you with one.
- Send using Priority Mail Express. You can also request Label 139 to affix on the address side of your package.
- In an envelope, enclose your check or money order. We also accept credit cards. Print a credit card authorization or go to the bottom of this page to pay online securely.
- If you desire additional services, write them in and print out the shipping page and use it as an order form.
Things that must be included in your package:
- Your name
- Your relationship to the deceased
- Your complete address
- A phone number where we can reach you
- Your e-mail address if you have one
- Any other information you feel we need to know
- PLEASE let us know when you have shipped the ashes as well as if you have any additional requests, such as if you are mailing more than one box, if you want flowers, a phone call on the day we are going out, etc.
Ship To:
Ashes on the Sea
P.O. Box 710693
San Diego, CA 92171
Your loved one's ashes will be scattered at sea usually within 30 days of receipt. California law requires ashes be scattered within 60 days of receipt. We will email you when we have dispersed the ashes. If you wish to be called before the ashes are scattered, please let us know. There is no additional charge for the phone call. If there is no answer, we will leave a voice mail.
Questions? Please view our Frequently Asked Questions section or call us at 858-277-2799.
USPS Guidelines
Cremated Human Ashes may only be shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS) - Neither Federal Express nor UPS allow for the shipment of ashes at this time. A private courier service may be used, although this can be quite expensive.
The USPS has the following regulations, which you can find in USPS Publication 52:
12.9.3 Cremated Remains
[1-26-14] Human and animal ashes (cremated remains) are permitted to be mailed provided they are in a strong and durable container and packaged as required in 9.2. The identity of the contents should be marked (Label 139, is preferred) on the address side next to the shipping label. Mailpieces sent to domestic addresses must be sent using Priority Mail Express service.
