Frequently Asked Questions

A RetURN.org ID is a permanent unique ID for cremated remains.

Place it on an urn or other container, register it, and add the information you want connected to the remains. Anyone who has the container years from now can scan the QR code to see the information and wishes you chose to share.

You can identify whose remains they are and record what that person wanted done with their cremated remains.

You decide what information appears on the profile.

Because urns can stay in families for decades.

They get inherited. They move from house to house. The person who knew the story may no longer be around. Labels and paperwork can become separated from the remains.

The RetURN.org ID gives the container a permanent connection to the information someone may need later.

Yes.

The RetURN.org ID is designed for existing urns as well as new ones.

It depends on whether you need the ID itself, or only need to switch on one you already have.

$29.99 for an urn you already own. That is the ID mailed to you, activation included.

$19.99 to activate an ID that is already on the urn, for urns that arrive carrying one.

Either way it is one payment. There is no subscription and no renewal: the profile stays online for good.

No.

Each ID is permanently associated with its RetURN.org record. The goal is for the information to remain available years or decades from now.

Yes.

The person managing the ID can sign in and update the information or wishes connected to it.

They are taken to the RetURN.org profile connected to that specific ID.

They do not need an account to view the information that has been made available to them.

The label is Metalphoto anodized aluminum, with the image sealed inside the metal’s surface rather than printed on top. Its manufacturer has told us in writing that it is reasonable to expect the label to remain legible for 100 years or more in a normal indoor environment, provided it is not subjected to unusual physical damage.

The details are on the ID specifications page, along with the manufacturer’s letter (PDF).

Not easily, and not cleanly.

The label is anodized aluminum foil three thousandths of an inch thick, on a permanent adhesive that cures firmly within 48 hours of being applied. Once it has set, it is not coming off in one piece.

We would rather say that plainly than promise more. If an ID ever does need to move, because the urn is replaced or the label is damaged, the answer is a replacement ID rather than a peeled one, and the record follows.

No.

You can register the ID now and update the wishes later. The point is to keep the information connected to the remains, even as circumstances or plans change.

Yes.

RetURN.org is designed so organizations can offer IDs with urns and cremated remains. IDs can be provided as labels or incorporated into new urns.

More than most people expect. They can be scattered, buried, placed somewhere permanent, or turned into something else: glass, jewelry, a reef, even a vinyl record. Fourteen options are laid out on our home page with what each one actually involves.

You don’t have to pick just one, and you don’t have to decide now. See what you can do →

Search the directory by where you are and what you want done. It lists funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories and scattering providers that receive cremated remains.

For specialty options such as reef memorials, memorial glass, jewelry and tattoos, the companies are listed inside each option’s guide rather than on the map.

Either way you work directly with whoever you choose. We never take possession of cremated remains. Find a provider →

No.

People end up holding cremated remains for all kinds of ordinary reasons. You inherited them. You bought a house or cleared a storage unit and they were already there. The person who wanted them has died too. A marriage ended. You have moved six times and they are still in the box.

Every participating provider listed on RetURN.org has agreed to receive inquiries from people looking for help with cremated remains. You do not have to feel bad about asking.

Possibly, but don’t guess.

Who has the legal right to make decisions about cremated remains varies by state and circumstance.

Tell the provider exactly how the remains came into your possession and what you know about the person. The provider can tell you what they are able to accept and whether they need authorization or documentation before moving forward.

You can still use RetURN.org to find and contact a provider even if you do not know whether you have the legal authority to transfer the remains.

Do not throw them away or make assumptions about who they belong to.

Photograph the container and anything attached to it, including labels, numbers, funeral home information, crematory information, or other identifying details.

Then contact a provider that accepts inquiries involving unidentified remains and explain exactly how you found them.

Start by documenting what you found and where you found it.

If you do not know how the remains came to be there, or you are unsure whether you have authority to transfer them, talk with an appropriate local authority or licensed funeral professional before taking further action.

RetURN.org can help you find participating professionals who may be able to point you in the right direction.

No.

Cremated remains may stay with families for decades. Older containers can have less documentation, so tell the provider what you know and what you do not.

Start anyway.

Tell the provider what you have and what you do not. If there is a label, identification number, crematory name, funeral home name, or other information on the container, include it when you contact them.

The provider can tell you what else they require.

Sometimes.

The U.S. Postal Service is the carrier used to ship cremated remains in the United States. If a provider accepts remains by mail, confirm that with them first and follow the current shipping requirements.

How to transport cremated remains

Sometimes.

Rules governing cremated remains vary by state, and providers must follow the requirements that apply where they operate.

Many providers can work with families in other states. Ask before sending anything.

Usually.

Families commonly divide cremated remains among relatives or keep a small portion in a keepsake. Tell the provider what you have and they can explain what options are available.

Possibly.

If separating the remains is appropriate in your situation, a provider may be able to help. If you are uncertain who has authority over the remains, do not assume you should open or divide the container yourself.

Usually not.

Some providers accept remains by mail, some arrange drop-off, and some can hold a short committal or other service if you would like to attend.

Using the RetURN.org provider directory is free.

Individual providers decide whether they charge for their services. Some options may be available at no cost, while others, such as a private niche, individual burial, or memorial product, may have a fee.

It depends on what you and the provider agree to.

Before transferring the remains, ask exactly what will happen, where it will happen, approximately when it will happen, and what confirmation you will receive afterward.

Then don’t.

You can use RetURN.org to understand your options without committing to one. Before transferring the remains, make sure you understand whether the decision can be changed later.

Scattering and many other forms of final disposition cannot simply be undone.