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RetURN.org ID

ID specifications

RetURN.org IDs are designed to remain with cremated remains for the long term. This page covers the label itself, what is on it, and where it goes.

A RetURN.org ID label: black print on bare silver aluminum showing the RetURN.org ID wordmark, the code CP2-R6SY, the line Scan to see their wishes or enter code at RetURN.org/ID, and a QR code.
2″ × 0.75″ anodized aluminum ID shown at actual proportions.

How the label is made.

RetURN.org IDs are produced by Camcode using the Metalphoto process: a photosensitive anodized aluminum in which the image is sealed beneath the anodized surface rather than printed on top of it.

That is the reason for choosing it. A printed label carries its image on the outside, where handling, cleaning and light can take it off. On this construction the anodized layer is above the image, so the code cannot scuff or fade off the surface.

Dimensions
2 inches × 0.75 inches
Process
Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum, supplied by Camcode
Image
Sealed beneath the anodized surface rather than printed on top
Colour
Black image on bare anodized aluminum. The silver is the metal itself, not ink
Substrate
Three-mil aluminum foil, thin enough to follow a curve
Adhesive
High-performance permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive
Full bond
Reaches full strength within approximately 48 hours of application
Bonds to
Metal, ceramic, wood and plastic; flat, contoured or textured surfaces
Readability
Expected to remain legible for 100 years or more indoors, per the manufacturer of Metalphoto. Rated for twenty years and more outdoors
Tamper evidence
Not tamper evident. The adhesive is chosen for permanence, not for destructing on removal

In the manufacturer’s words. We asked Horizons Imaging Systems Group, the company that makes Metalphoto, how long an ID should last on an urn kept indoors. Their written answer, dated 15 September 2026: “Based on its demonstrated performance in harsh outdoor and industrial environments, as well as its successful use in critical applications since 1950, it is reasonable to expect that Metalphoto nameplates and labels will remain legible for 100 years or more when installed in a normal indoor environment, provided they are not subjected to unusual physical damage or conditions.” Read the letter (PDF).

What we ruled out. Polyester and destructible vinyl are the usual choices for asset tags and cost less to produce, but they are rated in years rather than decades. An urn can sit on a shelf far longer than that, and a label that outlives its own legibility is worse than no label at all.

What is on the label.

An annotated RetURN.org ID label. Callouts to the left name the RetURN.org ID branding, which tells a stranger the code leads somewhere, and the human-readable unique ID, which can be read out or typed in when a camera will not focus. Callouts to the right name the QR code, which opens what the family recorded in one scan, and the instructions to scan or enter the code.
Every ID carries the same elements, and its own unique code.

Each physical ID is assigned individually. IDs are randomized rather than issued in publicly predictable sequential order.

Where the ID goes.

The bottom of the urn, or the underside of the lid. Somewhere it stays with the urn, is out of the way, and can still be found by someone looking for it.

For labels, pick a flat area where the adhesive can make full contact.

The ID does not have to be a label.

Manufacturers and other organizations with appropriate production equipment can incorporate the RetURN.org ID directly into the urn. Depending on the material and manufacturing method, that may include laser engraving, CNC routing, etching, or another permanent marking process approved for the product.

We provide the unique ID and production artwork. This is the urn manufacturer program.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the label stay legible?

The manufacturer of Metalphoto, Horizons Imaging Systems Group, 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 or conditions.

The same material has been used for aerospace, defense and heavy-equipment identification since 1950, because the image is sealed within the anodized layer and resists UV, abrasion, corrosion, chemicals and heat. Read the letter (PDF).

Is the physical label tamper evident?

Not necessarily. The physical ID is designed primarily for long-term adhesion and readability. It should not be described as tamper evident unless the final selected material has been specifically tested and documented as such.

The RetURN.org record provides additional context about when and how an ID was registered.

Can an ID go on a curved urn?

Potentially. It depends on the curvature, material, and whether the label can maintain full contact. Contact us if the intended surface is significantly curved.

Can we change the label design?

No. A consistent permanent identifier is important so someone finding the urn knows what they are looking at and where to go.

Can an ID be reused?

No. Each RetURN.org ID is intended to identify one set of cremated remains.

More questions about the RetURN.org ID itself, what it costs and what happens when someone scans it, are answered in the RetURN.org ID questions on the main FAQ.

For the programs that use these IDs: funeral homes and other providers, or urn manufacturers.