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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 93238-93239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27537]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Parts 111 and 211

Cremated Remains Packaging Requirements

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to amend Publication 52, 
Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) by requiring 
mailers to solely use the Cremated Remains shipping supplies provided 
by the Postal Service when mailing human or animal cremated remains, 
also referred to as cremains or ashes, domestically or internationally.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected], with a subject line of ``Cremated Remains 
Packaging Requirements.'' Faxed comments will not be accepted.
    You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment 
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th 
Floor North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are generally 
available for review Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., by 
calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy, (202) 268-6592, or 
Jennifer Cox, (202) 268-2108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All submitted comments and attachments are 
part of the public record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any 
material in your comments that you consider to be confidential or 
inappropriate for public disclosure.
    The Postal Service proposes to amend Publication 52, Hazardous, 
Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), with the provisions set forth 
herein. While not codified in title 39 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), Publication 52 is a regulation of the Postal 
Service, and changes to it may be published in the Federal Register. 39 
CFR 211.2(a)(2). Moreover, Publication 52 is incorporated by reference 
into Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic 
Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.8.1, which is incorporated by reference, 
in turn, into the Code of Federal Regulations. 39 CFR 111.1 and 111.3. 
Publication 52 is publicly available, in a read-only format, via the 
Postal Explorer[supreg] website at https://pe.usps.com. In addition, 
links to Postal Explorer are provided on the landing page of USPS.com, 
the Postal Service's primary customer-facing website, and on Postal 
Pro, an online informational source available to postal customers.

Proposal

    The Postal Service will require mailers shipping human or animal 
cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes, keepsakes and jewelry) to be 
shipped in the Cremated Remains packaging supplied by the Postal 
Service. Previously, mailers were permitted to use any box if it was 
marked with Label 139--Cremated Remains.
    The Postal Service understands the mailing of cremated remains is a 
sensitive matter and believes this will improve visibility and enhance 
handling methods throughout processing and transportation.
    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal 
Service proposes to amend Publication 52 as follows:

Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail

* * * * *
4 Restricted Matter
* * * * *
45 Other Restricted Materials
* * * * *
451.22 Cremated Remains
[Revise section as follows:]
    Human or animal cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes, 
keepsakes and jewelry) are permitted for mailing as follows:
    a. Domestic:
    1. Must be sent via Priority Mail Express Service.
    2. Must be packaged according to 451.3b and Packaging Instruction 
10C.
    3. Mailers must use one of the special Priority Mail Express 
cremated remains branded boxes available on usps.com.
    4. Extra Services permitted with mailpieces containing cremated 
remains are additional insurance and return receipt only.
    5. Shipping labels may be printed and affixed through Click-N-Ship 
or other USPS-approved methods or at a Post Office location. Mailer 
generated labels must bear an Intelligent Mail package

[[Page 93239]]

barcode (IMpb) with the proper cremated remains Service Type Code (STC) 
and include the proper Extra Services Code (ESC) in the Shipping 
Services File (see Publication 199 on PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com).
    b. International:
    1. When permitted by the destination country, cremated remains must 
be sent via Priority Mail Express International service. Mailers must 
verify that the destination country accepts Priority Mail Express 
International and cremated remains before mailing.
    2. Mailers must use one of the special Priority Mail Express 
cremated remains branded boxes available on usps.com.
    3. The item must be packaged as required in 451.3b and Packaging 
Instruction 10C.
    4. The contents ``cremated remains'' must be indicated on the 
applicable customs declaration form.
* * * * *
451.3 Packaging and Marking
[Revise item b. as follows:]
    b. Powders and Cremated Remains. Dry materials that could cause 
soiling, damage, discomfort or destruction, upon escape (leakage) must 
be packaged in sift proof or other sealed primary containers and placed 
into sealed, durable, outer containers.

Appendix C
* * * * *
USPS Packaging Instructions 10C
[Revise opening paragraph as follows:]
Cremated Remains

    Human or animal cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes, 
keepsakes and jewelry) are permitted for mailing with restrictions, 
provided they are appropriately prepared according to section 451 and 
the following instructions.
* * * * *
[Revise the following sections as follows:]
Mailability

     International Mail: Permitted via Priority Mail Express 
International Service when permitted by the destination country (see 
the Individual Country Listings in the IMM).
     Domestic Mail: Permitted via Priority Mail Express service 
only.

Required Packaging
Primary Container

     International: A funeral urn is required as the inner 
container. It must be sealed and sift proof.
     Domestic: The inner container must be strong and durable 
and be constructed in such a manner as to protect and securely contain 
the contents inside and it must be properly sealed so that it is sift 
proof.

    Note:  A sift proof container is any vessel that does not allow 
loose powder to leak or sift out during transit.

* * * * *
[Revise the following sections as follows:]
Outer Container

    All cremated remains mailings must utilize the USPS-produced 
Cremated Remains outer packaging, found on usps.com.
    Insert your inner container into a sealed plastic bag, then place 
in the shipping box and add padding to the bottom, sides, and top to 
ensure there is no movement of contents during transit.

    Note:  It is recommended that you attach a slip of paper to the 
sealed plastic bag with the complete return and delivery addresses 
and the words ``Cremated Remains'' in the event the mailing label 
becomes detached from the outer container after acceptance.

Marking

    Domestic: A complete return address and delivery address must be 
used.
    International: A complete return address and delivery address must 
be used. The mailer must indicate the contents (Cremated Remains) on 
the applicable customs declaration form.

Documentation

    International: If available, and when required by the destination 
post, the cremation certificate should be attached to the outer 
packaging or made easily accessible. The sender is responsible for 
obtaining all the necessary documentation and permissions required by 
the national laws in the country of origin and the country of 
destination prior to dispatching these items.***
* * * * *

Christopher Doyle,
Attorney, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2024-27537 Filed 11-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
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