As of March 1, 2025, the United States Postal Services requires the use of the Priority Mail Express (PME) Cremated Remains boxes for all cremated remains shipments (see article here). To accompany the original PME cremated remains box, USPS will now be introducing a new size that is a smaller version of the current box available to customers. This box allows customers to mail smaller items containing cremated remains (i.e., jewelry, glass art, keepsakes, etc.) with the same increased visibility as the larger box. The new box has inside dimensions of 9” x 7-1/4” x 5”.

The Small Cremated Remains Box Kits will be available for order through The Postal Store® on https://nfda.org/news/in-the-news/nfda-news/id/9501/now-in-effect-new-usps-shipping-requirement-for-shipping-cremated-remainshttp://www.usps.com on May 12, 2025, and offered in two varieties:

• Small Kit 1 (BOXCREKIT1SM): Small Cremated Remains PME box and PME tape
• Small Kit 2 (BOXCREKIT2SM): Small Cremated Remains PME box, PME tape, bubble cushioning, self-sealing plastic bag, Publication 139

Customers ordering these kits on USPS.com are restricted to a maximum of 5 kits per order.

Businesses who ship higher volumes of cremated remains shipments (i.e., crematoriums, funeral homes, etc.) can place orders for pallet quantities of boxes only through the packaging call center at 800-610-8734. Both cremated remains box sizes are available in pallet quantities to businesses through this order channel.

For questions regarding this change, please email Expeditedpackaging@usps.gov.