What if it’s not the remains of my dog or cat? How does the cremation company ensure each pet’s ashes are separate? Losing pets is distressing enough, and not knowing what will happen to their ashes can create stress in this time of grief.
Do You Really Get Your Pet’s Ashes Back?
If you opt for individual cremation, you’ll get your pet’s ashes back. For individual cremation, your pet will be separate from other pets during the entire process. With communal cremation, your pet will be cremated with others and you will not receive those ashes back. They will be respectfully spread at sea with the help of our partners, Oceans of Love.
At Paws into Grace we use a quality control & tracking system where each pet is assigned a unique metal tag that stays with them throughout the entire cremation process. The tag is verified by our staff at least five times, at every stage of the cremation process.
Discussing your preferences and expectations with your chosen cremation provider is important to ensure you receive the ashes, if that is what you desire. Selecting a trustworthy cremation service like Paws Into Grace and understanding the various options will ensure you receive your pet’s ashes.
Understanding the Pet Cremation Process
There are multiple types of cremation and it is important to understand the differences between each one. We are able to perform both individual cremation and communal cremation with traditional fire cremation and Aquamation (water cremation).
Cremation types you may commonly see include the following:
| Type of Cremation | What Happens to the Ashes? | Memorial Options for the Ashes? |
| Individual | Returned to owner | Yes |
| Communal | Scattered at sea or burial | No |
Individual Cremation
With individual cremation, the pet is cremated separately from other pets, ensuring that the remains you receive are exclusively theirs. We recommend this option if you want to keep the ashes of your pet as a memorial.
- Pets are kept separate from other pets
- Ashes returned to the owner
- Each pet is assigned a unique metal tag that stays with them throughout the entire cremation process. The tag is verified by our staff at least five times, at every stage of the cremation process.
Communal Cremation
Communal cremation involves multiple pets being cremated together. Because of this, it is impossible to separate the ashes of individual pets afterward. Most find this option is more economical, although you will not receive the ashes of your cat or dog.
- Pets are cremated with others
- Ashes are not returned to the owner
- We use Oceans of Love, a Southern California based company that respectfully spread the ashes of our pets who have been communally cremated.
Ensuring the Authenticity of Your Pet’s Ashes
The Paws into Grace cremation facility uses tracking tags and systems to ensure the authenticity of the ashes. These methods provide a transparent way to monitor your pet throughout cremation. In this way, pet owners will have no doubts about whether it’s your pet’s ashes or not.
- Upon departure from your home or care, your pet is assigned a unique ID number.
- This information is attached to your pet’s remains as a stainless steel tag, which stays with them throughout the entire cremation process.
- The ID number is verified throughout each stage.
The stainless steel tags, which stay with each pet throughout the entire cremation process, to ensure you receive your pet’s ashes back.
Selecting a Trustworthy Pet Cremation Service
Another way to ensure you’re truly getting your pet’s remains back is to select a reputable cremation service and ask questions about their process to ensure complete transparency.
Research and Reputation
When finding a reliable pet cremation service, we recommend starting with thorough research.
- Contact multiple pet cremation companies in your area and compare their services.
- Consult local veterinary clinics to find out which crematories they recommend.
- Read customer reviews and testimonials online.
Transparency and Communication
Communication is key when entrusting a pet crematory with your beloved furry friend. This is why we are transparent about our process and willing to answer any questions you may have.
A trustworthy cremation company should be open about services and pricing and even allow you to tour their facilities if requested. Listening to your instincts is crucial. If something feels wrong or a company seems hesitant to provide information, it may be best to explore other options.
Customization Options
Each pet has unique characteristics and traits that have endeared them to their human families. The pet cremation service must cater to those individual needs and preferences by offering personalization options.
Some possible customization choices we offer include the following:
- Choosing between private, semi-private, and communal cremations
- Selecting a suitable urn for the ashes of your cat or dog
- Incorporating personalized memorial items, such as necklaces or lockets, glass globes, or marbles into the process
- Requesting an extra paw print or fur clipping as a keepsake memory
These options will allow you to honor your pet’s memory in a way that feels personal and meaningful.
Related Questions
What Should I Expect Regarding the Amount of Ashes After Cremation?
The amount of ashes you receive after your pet’s cremation will depend on their size and weight. Generally, the ashes will be a fraction of your pet’s original weight. For example, a smaller pet may produce a few ounces of ashes, while a larger pet could much more than that.
Conclusion
You will be able to collect the ashes of your pet if you choose individual cremation. Paws into Grace offers compassionate cremation and aftercare services to give back a pet’s remains back to you.
