Not at all! Our prepaid kit is a convenient and secure option that eliminates the stress of figuring out how to ship your loved one's ashes, but it is by no means required. Further information about the kit is provided in the above "How to Order" section in Step 3. If you place an order for a piece of jewelry and do not purchase a kit, instructions on how to ship your loved one's ashes directly to us will be provided in your detailed order confirmation (not the automated one you will receive immediately after ordering). Unfortunately, international clients are not eligible to receive kits as our prepaid labels will not be accepted outside of the US. All of our international clients are required to send the ashes in to our studio directly for this reason. We encourage any international clients to look into shipping regulations and guidelines for their region before placing an order with us.