Many pet owners experience added stress if they’re unaware of the pet cremation process, leading to uncertainty about handling their pet’s remains. I’ve been leading a team of veterinarians and pet cremation specialists since 2007. Sharing my first-hand experience, I’m going to explain how pet cremation works to help you decide if you should pursue this and which type better suits your situation.
Pet Cremation Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Pet cremation uses intense heat to reduce a pet’s body to its basic elements, transforming organic matter into the pet’s ashes or cremains you can keep as a lasting memorial. Most cremation service providers offer various cremation options, including private cremation for single pets and communal cremation for multiple pets together. Newer methods, such as Aquamation, use water-based systems to achieve the same respectful results. This is the method that Paws into Grace uses. It’s eco-friendly and has some amazing benefits over traditional fire cremation.
Each method handles the pet remains with dignity, offering families various choices based on their preferences and budget. I hope this information on the process of pet cremation and aftercare services will help you make the best choice.
| Pet Cremation Type | Details | Pros | Cons |
| Individual, fire cremation | A divider separates the bodies in the chamber | Cost-effective; cremains returned in an urn | Not eco-friendly |
| Communal fire cremation | Bodies of pets are placed together in the chamber | Lowest cost; environmentally efficient | No cremains returned |
| Individual water cremation | Pet is placed in its own chamber within a water-tight vessel | Gentle method; complete ash return | Availability, it may not be offered in smaller towns |
| Communal water cremation | Body is placed with others inside the water cremation machine | Lower cost than individual, eco-friendly | No cremains returned |
1. Individual Fire Cremation Service
While Paws Into Grace doesn’t perform in-house fire cremation services, we’ve partnered with a San Diego-based trusted pet crematory for traditional fire cremation.
- Preparation: Your deceased pet will be gently cleaned, and their tag verification will be logged in our tracking software.
- Placement: The pet crematorium will place the tray with the body into a cremation chamber.
- Cremation: At 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, the chamber will reduce the body into bone fragments. The entire cremation takes about one to two hours for small animals, and longer for larger pets.
- Processing the remains: Once the cremation is complete, our partners will process the bones into a fine, sand-like consistency called cremains.
2. Communal Fire Cremation Service
In this method, several pets are cremated together, leading to a more affordable option compared to private cremation.
- Preparation: We prepare the deceased pet and retrieve any memorial items wanted. After the pet has been gently cleaned, the tag is verified and logged in our tracking software.
- Placement: Next, we transfer your pet to our partner crematorium. They will then place the tray with your pet’s body into a cremation chamber.
- Cremation: The animal cremation process takes place in a specialized chamber designed with intense heat to turn bodies into cremains.
- Processing the remains: Our partner, Oceans of Love, will scatter the communal ashes in the ocean. The cremains of several pets are mixed, so you can’t get your pet’s individual ashes in this option.
3. Individual Aquamation Service
Our pet crematorium in Escondido provides water cremation or aquamation, which is the most gentle method for caring for your deceased pet.
- Preparation: We carefully prepare the body through proper cleaning. We collect any memorial items, such as the clay paw print and fur clipping, that come standard with our individual cremation option.
- Placement: We will place the body into a separated chamber. We log their placement within the machine and verify their tracking tag at this step and at several other points along the way.
- Cremation: Water cremation uses a combination of temperature, water flow, and alkalinity to break down the organic remains gently. This mimics natural decomposition.
- Processing the remains: The cremation will reduce the organic matter to bones. We carefully dry the pet’s remains in our drying area before they are processed into ash. After the cremains have been processed, your beloved pet will then be placed into the urn of choice.
4. Communal Aquamation Service
The remains of pets are mixed in an aquamation chamber, so note that you won’t receive your pet’s cremains in this option.
- Preparation: Before the cremation, we clean and place each pet in the chamber with other pets.
- Placement: In this method, multiple pets are cremated together in an open chamber that is solid steel on 4 sides. The chamber is perforated on top and bottom to let the water through.
- Cremation: Temperature, water flow, and alkalinity will break down the organic remains gently. This accelerates the natural decomposition that would occur with burial.
- Processing the remains: Our partner, Oceans of Love, will scatter the communal cremains in the ocean. Oceans of Love sends us coordinates and pictures to update on our website and social media.
Related Questions
Related QuestionsDo You Actually Get Your Pet’s Ashes Back?
When you choose individual cremation for your beloved companion, you get your pet’s ashes back, which you can put in an urn or scatter them. We can also put a small portion of their cremains in memorial keepsakes, like jewelry or ornaments, to preserve your pet’s memory. If you’re not getting the cremains returned due to communal cremation, they will be respectfully spread at sea.
How Long After a Pet Dies Are They Cremated?
While the time until a pet is cremated after death can vary, a pet crematory will aim to perform the cremation service within 24 to 72 hours. This timeframe allows for transportation and preparation while guaranteeing a timely handling of your beloved companion’s remains.
How Much Does Pet Cremation Cost?
Our communal cremation prices start at $175, and individual cremation costs around $275. However, the final prices depend on your pet’s weight.
Is It Possible to Witness the Cremation of My Pet?
The main service at our facility, Aquamation, takes place in an enclosed stainless steel chamber, so families would not be able to see their pet being cremated. However, we offer private viewings, where your pet will be decorated with flowers, and you’ll be given extra time with your pet to say goodbye. You can have family and friends attend this, just as you would a viewing or memorial service for a person. After the private viewing has ended, families have the choice to gently place their pet into the Aquamation machine at our office, with the compassionate guidance of our cremation office manager, who will carefully assist in placing your pet into the machine.
Conclusion
Pet owners can choose cremation with confidence when they have clear information about what happens when their beloved pet passes and how cremains are respectfully handled throughout the service. Paws into Grace offers a caring and respectful pet cremation service that you can trust.
