If it is difficult to transport the remains yourself, you can send them by mail. It is not illegal to send ashes within Japan. Sending ashes by mail is called "sōbō." The handling of ashes is clearly stated in the "Law Concerning Cemeteries, Burials, etc." The only illegal acts are sending ashes overseas and disposing of uncrushed ashes on private property. The post office will handle ashes via "Yu-Pack." Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express do not handle ashes. Currently, only the post office offers "sōbō." Even when sending ashes via "Yu-Pack," there is no special compensation and they are treated the same as regular parcels. Since ashes have no monetary value, please understand that you will not be compensated for any loss or damage between the time the parcel is received and the time of delivery. Shipping costs are the same as for regular parcels. There is no special charge for ashes. They will handle not only the ashes of the deceased, but also the ashes of ancestors and pets. When sending ashes via Yu-Pack, you can bring them to a post office, a handling center, a convenience store, or have them picked up from your home.
Ashes are often sent when closing a grave or holding a permanent memorial service, and are often sent when moving to a new cemetery or temple. Scattering the ashes also requires the bones to be crushed into powder beforehand, so they must be sent to a bone crushing service in advance. Even when using the ashes to make jewelry or for memorial services at home, the ashes are generally sent by mail.
We recommend using an ashes transport kit. This kit includes a cardboard box, packing tape, cushioning material, and a Yu-Pack shipping label. Bone transport kits are readily available online, including on Rakuten and Amazon. If the ashes were to spill out during transport, it could be a serious incident, so be sure to package them carefully. Older urns, in particular, may contain water. Be sure to drain the moisture before sending.
Depending on the reburial destination, you may need a "Burial Permit" or "Reburial Permit" issued by your city or town hall, so it's a good idea to prepare these in advance. When you submit a "Death Notification" to your city or town hall, you will first be issued a "Cremation Permit." This "Cremation Permit" is stamped by the crematorium to form a "Burial Permit." A "Burial Permit" is a document required when closing a grave and interring existing remains in a different location. It is issued by the city or town hall that oversees the cemetery where the remains are currently interred. Application procedures and contact points may vary depending on the municipality, so please inquire. By mailing the "Reburial Permit" along with the remains to a temple or cemetery, you can inter or scatter the ashes.
★ "Scattering Mountain" offers a collection service for remains, limited to Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, and surrounding areas. There is a fee, but we are happy to accept ashes if you are hesitant to send them by mail.
⇒Check in detail
|