Frequently Asked Questions
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SCATTERING TUBES
No. A bag should not be used with the Scattering Tubes.
The Scattering Tubes are produced from recycled materials and can be recycled after use. They can also be kept indefinitely by families if they wish.
Yes, every Passages Scattering Tube comes with a unique geotag code to create an online memorial and add a pin to our Etern.life Memorial Map, free of charge. The code will be beneath the barcode on the bottom of the Scattering Tube, and begins in "GEO-".
To view the Memorial Map, visit https://etern.life/
We offer up to 3 lines of engraving and line art to the side of the tube and a photo added to the top of the lid. Upon purchase through our online store, by phone, or by email, please provide the information (name, dates, message) that you would like engraved on the side of the Scattering Tube. If you would like to add a photo to the top of the tube, it can be emailed to artdept@passagesinternational.com.
If we have approved artwork by 12pm MST, we can produce the tube and ship it the same day. Shipping charges are not included.
ECO-FRIENDLY CASKETS
Please visit our resource library for detailed instructions on how to assemble these products:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WpWI_NGwilsYzLopNg-MCxB0IKeBbuUk?usp=sharing
No. The weave of this casket is such that visual access to the casket is limited by the construction of the casket.
Since the willow and seagrass caskets are essentially woven baskets, the fabric privacy shield prevents visual access to the interior of the casket.
The caskets do not seal but will securely contain the body of the deceased. The lining of each casket features a leak-resistant interior lining that will temporarily contain any minor leakage of fluids. This lining will break down in the ground when the casket is buried.
This depends on the type of soil and the depth at which the casket is buried. Generally if the casket is buried in a relatively shallow grave with healthy (not too dry or too moist) earth it will break down in 12 to 24 months.
These caskets are extremely durable. They are weight tested to 350 lbs and feature paulownia wood bases and rope handles that support the entire weight of the body and casket. Remember that many furniture items are produced from wicker (willow), and hot air balloon baskets are also made from willow. Bamboo is also extremely tough and durable: in Asia it’s used in scaffolding for the construction of large multi-story buildings.
No. No plastic or metal components are used in the construction of any Passages burial or cremation containers.
BIODEGRADABLE URNS
Almost all of our Biodegradable Urns include a unique geotag code to create an online memorial and add a pin to our Etern.life Memorial Map, free of charge. The code will be beneath the barcode on the bottom of the Scattering Tube, and begins in "GEO-".
To view the Memorial Map, visit https://etern.life/
Many of our products are made by hand and will vary in appearance. Some are painted in small batches, sometimes with hand-mixed paint colors. Photographs of our products can vary in color due to whether the photograph was taken outdoors (in natural light) or in a studio environment, the background, the screen or device it is being viewed on, or color shifts in the printed catalog.
In tests it has been found that water biodegradable urns will sink between three and five minutes after being placed in the water. The time it takes for the urn to sink may vary significantly depending in local weather and water conditions and the weight of the cremated remains.
Within 24 hours of being placed in the water, the Journey Earthurns and Shell Deep Water Bio Urns will not be recognizable. Depending on local water conditions it can take between 30 and 90 days to completely degrade.
Sand & Gelatin urns are designed to break down within 2–3 days once submerged in water, depending on water temperature and movement. Himalayan Rock Salt urns dissolve over a slightly longer period, typically 3–4 hours in water. The dissolution time can vary based on the salinity and temperature of the water.
Please note that these are organic products that biodegrade naturally over time.
It can take several months depending on local conditions. Generally the more moisture in the soil, the quicker the urn will biodegrade.
Yes. All of Passages urns are TSA compliant, very durable, and travel well. Since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has implemented procedures that require urns that are to be carried into the cabin of a commercial aircraft to be x-rayed by security screeners. If security screeners are unable to view the contents of the urn during the x-ray process, the urn must be checked as baggage. To avoid uncomfortable situations, all of Passages International’s urns are constructed to clearly allow security screeners to view the contents of the urn. That said, the TSA can change its rules and regulations at any time.
We do not recommend shipping any of our products unless they are still in their original packaging as we sent them. In most cases carriers will not accept products containing cremated remains unless they are in a carrier-approved container, so if an urn must be shipped we recommend shipping the urn separately from the remains if possible. While our urns are very durable, shipping anything as an individual can result in damage. FedEx and UPS do not allow shipping an urn with cremated remains inside. Please follow the guidelines for shipping cremated remains with USPS here: https://about.usps.com/publications/pub139.pdf
Included with each urn is a water soluble bag and cotton tie. These bags are NOT packed inside the urn, rather they can be located in the box that the urns are shipped in. (Occasionally the bags will fall to the bottom of the box during shipping) The bags are EPA approved and will dissolve in 60 seconds when placed in warm or cold water. Scattering Tubes do not need or include a bag.
No. Passages biodegradable urns are engineered to be durable and will not begin to biodegrade until they are placed in “the elements” (earth or water). This allows families to wait until they are ready to scatter or bury the cremated remains.
To close the urn, squeeze a bead of biodegradable glue (comes with the urn) around the edge of the opening and place the lid in the opening. Apply light pressure for two to three minutes or until the glue is dry. Wipe away any excess glue with a clean, damp cloth.
For water burial, place the urn onto the water surface with the top facing up (top has fewer holes). The Urns are designed and engineered to briefly float and gracefully sink.
Click here for detailed instructions on assembling the Economy Pillow urn.
GREEN BURIAL / SCATTERING LAWS BY STATE
Laws can change, and local regulations may apply. Always confirm current laws with local authorities or consult legal counsel before proceeding with burial or scattering plans.
See https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/burial-cremation-laws for the most up-to-date information.
In these states, there are no specific state laws regarding the scattering of cremated remains. It's recommended to use common sense when choosing a location. Always obtain permission from private landowners and consult local authorities for public lands. For water burials, follow federal regulations.
Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Florida (FL), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Kansas (KS), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)
- Arkansas (AR): Written permission is required from landowners for scattering on private land. For water burials, remains must be scattered at least 500 yards from shore in seas or navigable waters; scattering in lakes or streams is prohibited.
- Indiana (IN): Remains must be placed in a grave, niche, crypt, designated scattering area, or on consenting private property. A disposition form must be filed with the county recorder within 10 days.
- Iowa (IA): Scattering on public or private property requires permission.
- Kentucky (KY): Scattering on public land is generally not permitted; private land requires landowner permission.
- North Carolina (NC): Scattering is allowed on uninhabited public land. For water burials, remains must be removed from their container before scattering.
- Private Land: Always obtain permission from the landowner before scattering remains.
- Public Land: Consult municipal or borough regulations; practices vary, and it's essential to ensure compliance with local rules.
- Water Burials: Adhere to federal regulations, which typically require scattering at least three nautical miles from shore. Some states may have additional requirements.
In many states, bodies are typically buried in established cemeteries. However, private property burials may be allowed, especially in rural areas, provided local zoning laws are followed, and the burial location is recorded with the county.
- Embalming: Generally required if final disposition doesn't occur within a specific timeframe (e.g., 24 or 48 hours) or if the body is transported. Refrigeration is often an acceptable alternative.
- Caskets: Not universally required for burial or cremation, but individual cemeteries or crematories may have their own policies. Alternative containers are usually permitted.
This alternative disposition method is legal in some states (CA, CO, FL, AZ, CT, ID, IL, KS, ME) and not in others. It's essential to verify its legality in your state.
BLOOMING ORNAMENTS, BOOKMARKS, & MINI CARDS
Upon special request we are able to print the bookmarks and mini cards in color. Please note that the pricing on all our price sheets is for black and white prints only.
Due to size constraints, typically only the front of the cards and bookmarks can be personalized. If you want the back personalized as well, please call us.
Passages purchases high-quality seeds that are routinely tested. In these tests, germination rates of over 85% have been recorded. However, these products are natural and there are no guarantees that flowers will bloom from individual ornaments. There are many factors that determine whether a seed germinates. An ornament may not grow because it is not watered consistently or effectively, is not exposed to enough light, or is not placed in a temperate environment.
SHIPPING AND DELIVERY
Order fulfillment and processing takes place from both our Albuquerque, New Mexico warehouse as well as our Somerset, New Jersey warehouse. It is our goal to ship within 24 hours of order placement, although most orders will ship the same day. We typically ship using UPS, although FedEx and USPS may be available upon request for small packages. Orders are typically shipped ground or with economy services. Additional shipping options are available, up to and including UPS Next Day Air, but charges will apply. Passages is able to extend discounted shipping rates directly to our customers without their own shipping accounts.
Once orders are fulfilled, the tracking numbers will be sent to the email provided and will be available in your online account.
UPS shares our passion for environmental responsibility and, just like Passages, is taking steps to minimize its carbon footprint. We ship all UPS packages through their Carbon Neutral Shipping program. With this program, UPS is saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel and eliminating thousands of tons of carbon emissions per month, while putting funds towards further reducing carbon emissions. To learn more, click here.
Orders placed by 3pm MST (NM warehouse) / 3pm EST (NJ warehouse) will ship the same day. Online orders must be received by 2pm for same day shipping (some exceptions may apply.) Handling charges apply.
Flat-packed
While single flat-packed caskets can ship with small package carriers. Flat-packed caskets require assembly. One flat-packed container can be shipped using parcel services (UPS & Fed Ex).
Assembled Caskets
LTL Freight shipping is required for shipping assembled caskets and multiple caskets at once. Casket(s) will come wrapped and strapped on a pallet on a large delivery truck. Lift gate and additional accessorials are available at an additional cost. Air Cargo shipping options are available for customers who require rush casket shipping. Some delivery locations or situations may require additional accessorials which may cost additional. Economy freight is included in the purchase of 1+ adult caskets. Must be within the Continental United States. Priority freight and air cargo options are available upon request or if needed.
Economy freight: 5-7 business days | Priority freight: 3-5 business days | Air cargo: 1-2 business days
Most urn orders that are shipped via UPS Ground start at roughly $15 per package. Overnight shipping can cost in excess of $100 depending on the product and where it is being shipped to. Standard delivery (4-5 business days) is included on all adult caskets (not including discounted caskets). Expedited casket delivery is available for an additional fee (usually $125 for two day shipping to many locations).
For retail orders, we offer free UPS Surepost Shipping. However, this service is delivered through the US Post Office, and transit times are not guaranteed. Additional shipping options are available, up to and including UPS Next Day Air, but charges will apply.
Passages urns can be shipped again after receipt, but should be shipped empty. Several of our urns can be damaged during shipping, especially if they are shipped with cremated remains loaded into them or if they are not packaged correctly and in their original packaging. Check with local shipping representatives about regulations prior to shipping cremated remains to ensure that you are familiar and complying with any requirements.
Yes, customers in New Mexico, New Jersey, or nearby states are welcome to pick up their order if they prefer, free of charge. Same-day pickup orders must be placed by noon (12:00) in the time zone of the warehouse they will be picked up from, otherwise orders will be ready for pickup by noon the following day. Pickup hours are from 8am-12pm, and 1pm-4pm Monday through Friday.
If FedEx shipping is important to you, we can provide you with FedEx shipping services (or any other) on a case by case basis. The cut-off time for orders needing to ship via FedEx the same day, is 2pm MST. In addition, anything that we ship for you via FedEx will ship on your FedEx account and will be subject to a FedEx imposed pick up fee. This FedEx pick up fee will appear on your FedEx bill.
We stand behind the quality of our products. If you are not happy with an item for any reason, please return it to us within 30 days. Please ensure it is in its original condition and packaging, and we will work with you to make it right.
If there are quality issues or the product was damaged in shipping, please contact us through the link below. Please include detailed information and photos if possible.
Retail customers may request a replacement, credit, or a full refund. Wholesale customers will be offered a replacement or credit to their account.
Once the item is received back in the original condition, a credit or refund will be issued.
Please click here to begin the return process.
Although damage is exceptionally rare, it is VERY important that you inspect the overall condition of your packages BEFORE signing for your freight shipment. Failure to note shipping damage may delay or prevent us from shipping replacement parts/items.
If any of the packages appear torn, damaged, crushed, or if you’re concerned about the condition of any item, please open the affected carton(s) and inspect for damage.
Refuse any damaged boxes and accept the remainder of your order.
Note which item and the number of boxes that are damaged or are being refused on the driver’s paperwork.
If the entire shipment is damaged, refuse the shipment and write “DAMAGED – REFUSED” on the delivery receipt.
Contact us immediately at (505) 830-2500 to report the incident.
As of March 1st, 2025, new requirements have been put into place. Please visit https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Shipping-Cremated-Remains-and-Ashes to follow proper regulations.