Arizona man says remains of late sister now missing after shipping through USPS

A Valley man who lost his sister earlier this year now says her remains are also lost after he shipped them through the United States Postal Service. At the end of April, Bob Severson mailed out packages with precious items, including his sister Joie Severson’s remains.

One of the packages was sent to their nephew, one to their sister, and the last to a man in northern Wisconsin, Gordy, with whom his sister had recently reconnected. While Joie Severson was still alive, she decided she wanted to be buried in northern Wisconsin. 

A week and a half later, after Bob had mailed out the packages, he said Gordy had contacted him, saying he had never received Joie’s remains. Out of the three of packages, only two of them made it. The one that was missing was the one with the remains inside.

A USPS spokesperson says an initial review suggests the urn separated from the box at some point from the initial drop-off in Arizona to the final destination in Wisconsin.

USPS has started a search for the urn and will continue to search to reunite the urn with the family. Now, nearly four months after the urn was last seen, Bob is trying to hold out hope his sister’s remains will be found.

USPS says there is a special process for shipping cremated remains, which includes ensuring the packaging is highly visible and that the remains are sent with expedited services.

For more information see Zach Prelutsky "Arizona man says remains of late sister now missing after shipping through USPS" 13News, August 24, 2024.