Abstract: A packet for containing documents and for providing thermal protection of those documents, the packet including a sacrificial ablating layer surrounding the documents, and a metal foil covering for shielding the ablating layer from contact with surrounding air. The sacrificial ablating layer of the packet may be comprised of a plurality of layers of paper forming an envelope for receiving the documents therein. In one embodiment, the envelope is formed by a plurality of stacked layers of paper, the stacked layers having a cruciform configuration having a central rectangular portion and a top flap extending from one of the edges of the rectangular portion, a bottom flap extending from an opposed edge and a pair of side flaps, the flaps being folded over the central rectangular portion to form an envelope for containing the documents to be protected.