Effective September 3, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 601.12.9.3 to include language describing a new label for use in marking shipments containing cremated remains.
The Postal Service has developed a new label for customer and sales and service associate (SSA) use to enhance visibility for these types of sensitive shipments. Label 139, Cremated Remains, applied to mailpieces containing cremated remains, is intended to be placed on the address side of the mailpiece. Additionally, the Postal Service will also redefine its definition of cremated remains to include both human and animal (pet) ashes, when mailed domestically.
Although these revisions will not be published in the DMM until September 3, 2013, these new labels may be used immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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600 Basic Standards For All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
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12.0 Other Restricted and Nonmailable Matter
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12.9 Liquids and Powders
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12.9.3 Cremated Remains
[Revise the second sentence of 12.9.3 to read as follows:]
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 via Priority Mail Express or Registered Mail service.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the September update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 8-22-13
