Ashes Courier FAQs

No. Virtually all parcel networks globally prohibit the carriage of cremated human remains through their networks. Any ashes that are detected in these networks are stopped and returned to origin. SpeedLink can help with shipping ashes domestically or to international destinations.

For information on some international parcel express companies that prohibit ashes and humans remains in their networks, click on the following:

Parcelforce
Royal Mail
DHL
DPD
Evri (Hermes)
FedEx
UPS

No. Not in the UK* and most of Europe. However, most postal systems worldwide will allow ashes with strict guidelines which SpeedLink can advise on.

*The Royal Mail in the UK will only allow a token of ashes – 50g or less – to be sent via mail within the UK or internationally. This is far less than the entirety of ashes after cremation. Many European countries prohibit ashes in their postal networks altogether. To send human ashes in or from the UK, please Contact Us  for more information.

You can send ashes to SpeedLink in New York or Zurich via the USPS using Priority Mail Express® and Priority Mail Express International® service, Canada Post, Swiss Post, Australia Post and other postal systems.

Please ensure you have booked a repatriation service with us prior to sending ashes to our New York or Zurich offices. 

SpeedLink Repatriation - USA
697 3rd Avenue
Suite 601
New York, NY
10017
United States
Reception: 646-825-2455

You may also send ashes to our Zurich location:

SpeedLink Repatriation - Switzerland
Schärenmoosstrasse 77
8052 Zürich
Switzerland

Yes. Ashes can be sent with a service like SpeedLink, an international hand carry courier (OBC) or through airlines air freight networks. SpeedLink provides the very best personalised service for sending ashes across the UK, Europe and internationally.

No. Due to strict safety and security guidelines, airlines do not deal with members of the public on an ad-hoc basis, or businesses not registered as ‘Known shippers.’ In most cases, Known Shippers are IATA registered air freight services or freight forwarders.

Poor. Grieving families wanting to ship ashes are not freight forwarders core audience. Forwarders usually do not provide a thoughtful and personalised service as you would expect from a specialist ashes shipping company like SpeedLink. Sadly, forwarders often fail to advise the full scope and costs up-front. They are eager to get your order and payment and get the ashes in the air. In most cases this will cost between £1500 and £2000. They often fail to explain that you will need to hire a forwarder in the destination country, clear customs on arrival, and arrange for collection by an approved courier from the airline. This often adds substantial costs and stress at a difficult time. It’s not uncommon for the initial cost to double or triple to over £3000 in the end.

Yes. However, there are many points to consider such as airline specific regulations, country of destination regulations, customs, permits, and liaising with foreign embassies. Official documents should be translated into the official language of the destination country. It’s not as simple as carrying a bag on the plane whilst on holiday. Do not arrive at the airport and expect to be treated with kid gloves and whisked through security or through customs on arrival.

Yes. SpeedLink offers one of the safest and most secure ashes courier services in the world as well as lower cost, economical options. Even if a country prohibits ashes in their postal system, SpeedLink can still ship cremated remains to that country.

Simply give SpeedLink a telephone call to obtain a quote. Please ensure that you have to hand the collection and delivery addresses with postal or Zip codes, as well as the weight and dimensions of the urn. If you are happy with our quote and would like to proceed, we can confirm your booking with a payment by card over the phone or online via our online booking system.

No. Anyone is welcome to make use of our services. If you do not have a pre-existing credit account with us, you can pay by credit or debit card or BACS (EFT). Currently, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards.

SpeedLink is based in the United Kingdom and can collect from anywhere in the entire country including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland within 30 - 60 minutes. We can then ship to almost anywhere in the world.

We also have offices in New York, USA and Zurich, Switzerland where family members can send us their relatives ashes for import to the UK.

We can also provide a point-to-point service virtually anywhere.

SpeedLink ships to every single address in the United Kingdom including England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

SpeedLink can ship ashes and cremated remains to almost any country in world, with only a few exceptions such as Russia, Libya, Syria, North Korea, etc., etc.

SpeedLink can also offer our economy ashes shipping service to all countries via our New York and Zurich offices except to: Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, North Korea, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, or Vatican City. We can provide our Expedited Service to these countries. Please Contact Us for details.