Pet Cremation Services: All You Need To Know

Your pet is a member of your family; they’ve seen you through difficult times and shared many joyful experiences with you. And after they’re gone, you want to give them an appropriate monument to honor all the joy they brought into your life. While movies often feature backyard graves, this is not always the case. Instead, pet cremation has become the most popular and cost-effective way to say goodbye to our four-legged pals.

If you’re unsure whether pet cremation is best for you, this guide will answer all of your questions.

Which pets are suitable for a cremation?

Dogs, cats, and horses are the most commonly cremated animals. Almost any pet, including birds, rabbits, hamsters, and even exotic creatures like monkeys, can be cremated. So, how much does the cremation of a dog or other pet cost? It varies depending on the animal’s size and the sort of cremation used — more on that later.

Should you bury or cremate your pet?

What is best for you, like with any end-of-life care, will be different. Cost, effort, and if pet cremation is accessible near you are all factors to consider.

It’s not always possible to bury your favorite pet in your backyard. You’ll need to dig at least three to five feet into the earth and keep an eye out for any gas or water lines, as well as any municipal laws prohibiting the burial of pets. In the winter, a frigid temperature may prevent you from burying your pet. Finally, what happens to your pet’s grave if you move to a new home?

You can absolutely take it that way if you reside in an area where a pet cemetery exists. However, with just 100 pet cemeteries in the country, you may not be able to bury your pet in one.

Pet cremation is frequently the most practical alternative because it is usually less expensive while still allowing you to create a monument for your pet. Pet cremation is a popular choice among many families: according to the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, cremation is used in 99 percent of pet funerals each year.

Will you get your pet’s ashes back after he or she has been cremated?

The method of cremation you pick determines whether you get your pet’s ashes back. For pets, there are three sorts of cremation options: communal, partitioned, and private.

• Communal: Your pet gets burned among other animals in a community cremation. It is impossible to get your pet’s ashes due to the presence of many animals.
• Partitioned: In this instance, your pet will be burned among other animals, but each animal will be separated. You can request your pet’s ashes, but there’s a chance that some remains from other animals will be mixed in with your pet’s ashes.
• Private: Your pet will be cremated alone in a private ceremony, and the ashes will be returned to you.

The number of ashes you’ll receive is determined by your pet’s size. According to experts, you will receive roughly 3.5 percent of your pet’s weight prior to cremation.

How much does a dog or pet cremation cost?

Dog cremation costs vary depending on the size of your pet and the style of cremation you select. The most affordable option is communal cremation, which generally costs less than $70. Private cremation, on the other hand, can cost up to $250, although it usually comes with a simple pet urn in which the ashes will be returned.

Pick-up fees, which are sometimes paid when you require the service outside of office hours, as well as expenses for a witnessed cremation, are other expenditures to consider. An urn, which can range in price from $75 to $1,000 or more, is also required.

What is the procedure for pet cremation?

The following are the basic phases in the cremation procedure:

• High heat (about 1400–1800 degrees Fahrenheit) is used to incinerate the animal’s remnants. It takes between two and four hours, depending on the size of the animal.
• Metal items are looked for and removed from the remains.
• Large fragments of bone that did not burn are crushed into a fine powder that looks like ash.
• The cremains will be put in your selected storage container for animals that have been cremated privately. An urn, box, or other enclosed container may be permitted by your crematorium. If the crematorium does not accept urns or if you are still searching for the appropriate last resting place for your pet, the cremains will normally be dumped into a plastic bag and given to you.

If your crematorium offers witnessed cremation, you can pay a nominal charge to be either in the cremation chamber or in a viewing room. Witnessed cremations can aid in the mourning process for pet owners who don’t want to leave their pet till the very end.

Alkaline hydrolysis is a relatively recent water-based technique for pet cremation. It’s becoming increasingly popular as a more natural and ecologically friendly cremation alternative. In a pressured chamber, water and a water-soluble alkali solution are used to break down the corpse. You’ll receive ashes at the conclusion of the procedure, which you may memorialize anyway you like.

How can I locate pet cremation services in my area?

Veterinary clinics have contracts with pet crematoriums in several cities. If you reside in a small town, the crematorium may be able to accommodate both people and dogs, but there will be two distinct sections for them.

You could look for “pet cremation near me” on the internet, but it’s usually a better idea to speak with your veterinarian. If you must euthanize your pet, you can usually opt to have it cremated, and your veterinarian will arrange for your pet’s transportation to the Crematory. If your pet dies at home, you can still contact your veterinarian to check if they provide mobile services, in which case they will come to your home and collect your pet for cremation.

Many pet owners prefer at-home euthanasia as a quiet way to let their pets go. These are licensed veterinarians that visit to your house and frequently provide animal cremation as a side service. They will take your pet’s body, cremate it, and return the ashes to you in a simple urn.

What should I do with the ashes of my pet?

You have several alternatives for what to do with your pet’s ashes, ranging from conventional solutions to more modern tributes.

• Scattering: If your pet enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, or camping, dispersing their ashes in an area they enjoyed is a meaningful way to remember them.
• Pet urns: A pet urn, which you may display in your house, is the most common method to remember your pet’s ashes. They come in almost every style and price range. You can display an image or their tags on the outside of the urn.
• Cremation jewelry: Cremation jewelry ranges from urn necklaces, which are hollowed-out vials into which ashes are placed, to cremation beads and glass jewelry, which are made by melting down the glass and then adding ashes.
• Cremation art: You may even make glass art out of your pet’s ashes to display in your house. The method is similar to that used to make glass beads and jewelry.
• Memorial forests: Memorial woods are a sustainable way to pay tribute to your pet’s life. Your pet’s ashes are scattered beneath a memorial tree in a protected forest, providing a lovely spot to visit in their honor. You can even choose to be buried beside your pet in order to leave a lasting legacy.

When it comes to what to do when your favorite dog, cat, or other pet passes away, today’s pet owner has more alternatives than ever. You may honor your pet in a number of unique ways with animal cremation, and you can rest confident that their remains will not be disturbed in the future.