Losing a pet can be very difficult, so you may not know what to do when it happens. However, understanding after-death options can make a challenging time easier. If you are considering cremation, this article will be an excellent resource. It outlines everything you need to know about pet cremation services to help you make an informed decision.
What is pet cremation?
Cremation is a funeral option available for both humans and pets. It is a process where all organic matter in a body is reduced by extreme heat to bone fragments. These bone fragments are reduced further to produce a powder referred to as “cremated remains” or “ashes.” Pet cremation is this process applied to a dog, cat or or other loved creature after their death.
How is pet cremation performed?
The cremation process varies depending on the type of cremation chosen. There are two types of cremation – flame cremation and aquamation. These processes are performed quite differently but produce similar end-products.
Flame Cremation
Flame cremation is often the standard form of cremation. It uses flames and extreme heat to produce ashes from your pet’s body.
While in the chamber, the body is exposed to extreme temperatures ranging from 760 to 980 Celsius (1400 to 1796 F), which incinerates organic matter. Any remaining bone fragments that are not destroyed in the process are reduced to a grey powder, with a consistency like coarse sand. The ashes are then placed in a container or urn and returned to the family or owners.
Aquamation
Aquamation uses the chemical process of alkaline hydrolysis to cremate remains. The body is treated with heat, pressure, water, and alkali to create a reaction that speeds up decomposition.
The process begins similarly by preparing the body. However, unlike flame cremation, medical implants do not need to be removed. Again, a container or casket is not used. Personal belongings and clothing must be removed unless it is protein-based (e.g., wool) because they will not break down during the process.
After preparation, the body is placed in a stainless steel vessel that is filled with water and potassium hydroxide (alkali). The vessel contents are exposed to high temperatures (200 to 320 F / 93 to 160 C) and agitation to prevent boiling and break down matter.
Remaining after the process is bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The liquid is released from the vessel and disposed of via sewage or wastewater systems. The remains and equipment are rinsed, and the bone fragments are pulverized into a smooth, tan or white powder. The ashes are placed in an urn and returned to the family or owners.
What pets can be cremated?
Almost any type of pet can be cremated, providing that the equipment can do so. Therefore, you can cremate nearly any pet, from rats to horses. However, the length of time needed for cremation and the cost will vary depending on the animal’s size and the type of cremation chosen. This is outlined further below.
Pet cremation service levels
In addition to choosing between flame cremation and aquamation, owners must also pick the service level of pet cremation they would like for their pet. Most facilities offer three levels – communal, individual/partitioned, and private.
Communal cremation
As the name suggests, this type of cremation involves your pet being placed in the same cremation chamber or vessel as other pets. Because of this, cremated remains will be mixed, so they are typically not returned to the family or owners. However, this makes it the cheapest of the three options.
Individual/Partitioned Cremation
This involves your pet being separated by partitions in the cremation chamber or vessel. Therefore, your pet’s ashes will remain relatively isolated from the ashes of other pets and will be returned to the owners afterward. This option is often affordable but more expensive than communal cremation.
Private cremation
This option involves your pet being cremated independently in the cremation chamber or vessel. This helps ensure you will only be receiving the ashes of your pet. For this reason, it will often be the most expensive option.
Cost of pet cremation
The cost for pet cremation varies depending on the options you choose and the size of your pet. However, it will often range from $50 to over $400.
First, let’s look at the type of cremation chosen. There is not a significant price difference between flame cremation and aquamation. However, flame cremation can cost a little less. The cost will still likely fall within the same range of flame cremation but will probably be on the higher end of that range.
Nonetheless, it is important to remember that aquamation has a lower impact on the environment. It uses less energy and eliminates direct emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful chemicals. The equipment is also often more expensive. All of these things contribute to the cost. Nonetheless, the price varies more depending on the size of the animal and the type of pet cremation chosen.
In general, larger pets are more expensive to cremate, regardless of the type of cremation. This is because process take longer and they take up more space in the cremation chamber or vessel. A small animal like a hamster may cost as low as $30, while a large dog like a Great Dane will likely cost over $400.
Communal cremation is typically the cheapest option because it is quicker and more efficient than other options. This will ranges from $30 to $200+ depending on the animal’s size.
Individual/partitioned cremation is more expensive than communal cremation. This is because there are more space constraints involved in this option. Nonetheless, it will usually remain relatively affordable, with prices ranging from $150 to $300+.
Private cremation is more expensive but offers assurance that you will only be receiving your pet’s ashes. So naturally, this service comes at a higher price. Private cremation often ranges anywhere from $150 to over $500.
Other fees included in pet cremation are often administration and logistics. This can include things such as transportation, urn cost, delivery of ashes, and more. This can vary greatly depending on the situation. An urn, for example, can cost anywhere from $10 to upwards of $2,000.
Some may also choose to witness the cremation, which may be offered at some pet crematoriums for an additional fee. Other costs will often be for optional services such as a ceremony, celebration, memorial, etc.
Cremation or burial?
One of the highlights of cremation is that it offers more flexibility and convenience and does so at a fraction of the cost.
Pet burial will often be more expensive than cremation, ranging from $300 to over $2,000. This is because there are typically more fees involved.
One main thing to consider when burying is where you will bury the pet. If you want to bury in a pet cemetery, you must first find one. If you can find one nearby, you must then pay cemetery fees. This includes paying for the burial plot, casket, grave marker, maintenance fees, etc.
Choosing to bury in a public or private location may minimize these fees, but it brings more considerations. For example, you must look at laws and regulations, consider location (e.g., will the spot where you bury the ashes remain the same over time?), and consider practicality (e.g., transport time, gas money, the timeline of events, etc.).
Burials also often use more resources and have a more significant impact on the environment. For example, embalming may be necessary to help preserve the animal until burial. However, this can be expensive and leach into the ground during decomposition, as will chemicals from the casket.
Overall, pet cremation is often more hands-off, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and provides more freedom and flexibility. However, the choice to bury or cremate is a personal one. Therefore, it is important to choose what is best for you.
What to do after your pet’s cremation is complete?
There are many things you can do without pet’s cremated remains. Many choose cremation because it means that they can keep the remains of their furry friend with them forever. This is an excellent option. However, there are many others you can do with ashes to honour your pet.
Some may want the experience of burial without the additional fees. Therefore, burying the urn may be a great way to achieve this. This can be done in a cemetery or on public/private property in most cases. A cemetery may be preferred if you want to ensure the location remains the same over time and is not disturbed, something not guaranteed when burying on public or private property. However, there are still likely cemetery fees, but they will often be less than those associated with a burial.
Another common option is scattering the remains. This can be done on any private land or unoccupied public land in Canada. Therefore, you have many options to choose from. You can scatter at their favourite part, the backyard of your family home, the lake they liked to frolic in, and more. Again, it is crucial to remember that the location may change or develop over time.
Many may choose to keep the remains in an urn and display it on a mantle or dedicated location in the home. However, if that does not interest you, you can instead keep a portion of the remains put in keepsakes or keepsake jewelry so that they can be shared with several members of the family.
There are also many unique things you can do with ashes after cremation. You can turn them into a tree, incorporate them into fireworks, shoot them into space, add them to a plush toy, combine them with paint to create a portrait, etc. The options are essentially endless.
How to find pet cremation service near me
Cremation has become a popular choice for many pet owners. Similarly, it is a common service used by veterinarians. Therefore, there is likely at least one location in your area. However, the types of pet cremation offered may vary. Nonetheless, it is expected you will be able to find a site that will provide communal cremation, if not anything else. Additionally, some crematoriums or hydrolysis facilities used for humans may offer these services or be willing to perform them if asked.
You can begin your search here. Otis Pet Cremation offers personalized service including pet pickup, communal cremation and semi-private/individual cremation. Click here.