A Complete Guide to Pet Cremation, Urns & Memorials
The loss of a pet can be hard. They are often considered a real part of the family and their passing on can leave a huge hole in your life. When they first do pass away, your high emotions can mean it’s difficult to organise post-passing care. This is why despite it being a hard topic to face, it's important to plan for it early to help yourself out when it does happen. By knowing your options beforehand, you will be able to deal with the pain better. It may be hard to think about, but you will be grateful that you've done it in the future.
As part of accepting and acknowledging the passing of a pet, it is important to understand both the grieving process and what happens to your pet once they die. This can help to ease any stress once the time comes and make you feel less anxious in your pets final days.
One of the most popular choices for those that experience the loss of a pet is to have them cremated and over 90% of pet owners choose this as opposed to burying them. In this guide, we have put together all you need to know about pet cremation including the services that are offered, the costs involved and anything else you might need to know. Hopefully, this guide will help to ease your worry and help you make the right choice when the time comes.
Dealing with the loss of a pet
While the loss of a pet one day is inevitable, chances are that it will hit you hard. There is some good news, however - there are many different ways that you can deal with the loss to make it a little easier.
Preparing ahead of time
Once your pet has unfortunately passed, it can be difficult to process the influx of information that comes on you and it can end up being very overwhelming. If you prepare in advance and get the details sorted, you can focus on grieving and healing once the time comes. Discuss options with both your pet's care team and your family to understand the grieving process that you will go through before it happens.
Some of the things you will want to consider includes:
- How your pet will transition. Will this be at home or the vets? While sometimes the decision is out of your hands, it is worth trying to plan it should you have the choice.
- Consider if you want to bury or cremate your pet
- If opting for cremation, think of the options for pet crematoriums and where you would like them to go
- Decide if you would like to scatter your pet’s ashes or if you want to keep them
What is the setup of pet cremation?
Pet cremation usually features four key places:
A memorial room - This is where you will choose the urn for your pet and see what keepsakes are available for your pet
The business office - Here you will sit and plan out the details of your pet cremation
Viewing room - If you do want to witness the process, you can do so here. It is completely up to the individual.
Cremation room - This is where the cremation chamber is housed and where the process will happen
How much does pet cremation cost?
The cost of pet cremation depends on the facility. Do your research and speak to different places to find out the costs.
How long after a cremation will I get my pet’s ashes back?
Most pet crematoriums will perform the cremation a few days after they receive the body and you will get the ashes within 24-48 hours after taking place.
What pet Urns are available?
There are thousands of pet urns available and it is a good idea to do your research and find the one that is right for your preference. Speak to the pet crematorium if you have any questions; they can also offer more competitive pricing that you can find online.
Traditional Indoor Urns
An indoor urn is usually a metal urn or wooden box that you can keep in your home. These can often be engraved, which is the perfect way to remember your pet.
Indoor Plant Urns for pets
If you want to incorporate something living into your pet’s urn such as a plant or bonsai tree, it is worth looking into The Living Urn Indoors for Pets. This is made from high-quality porcelain and comes in three colours - celadon blue, honey butter and white. You can also choose a PlantUrn for Pets which you can plant a succulent or small plant on top and is made from recycled hardwoods.
Pet Tree Urns
Pet Tree Urns is a patented design and the market leader in the category. It enables you to grow a beautiful tree from a BioUrn that holds your pet ashes and there are over fifty-three options available depending on where you live.
Scattering Urns for Pets (On Land)
It can be a nice idea to scatter your pet’s ashes on land somewhere that means a lot to you and your pet. This might be somewhere they loved to go for a walk or where you had a special day out together. It can be a good idea to look into biodegradable scattering urns such as the Eco Scattering Urn for Pets.
Scattering Urns for Pets (in Water)
Many pets love to spend time in the water, so why not lay their ashes there? You can select an Eco Water Urn for Pets which is a biodegradable urn that comes packaged in a bamboo cylinder case. It floats on top of the water for a few minutes until the bottom slowly breaks open and the ashes are released.
Pet headstones
If you are looking for a beautiful way to honour your pet, a headstone is a great option. You can get their details engraved and it can be placed somewhere special such as your garden.
Pet Keepsakes and Jewellery
Some people may decide to keep a small portion of their pet's ashes with them as a keepsake. This can be a piece of jewellery, glass decorative pieces or an ornament - the choice is down to you.
Remember it is important to prepare yourself for your pet’s passing so when the time comes you will be ready. You won’t have to worry about the technical aspects and instead can focus on remembering your loved and cherished friend. If you are looking for a cremation urn for your pet, we have a number of options that you can find on our website.