Pet Cremation: Losing a pet can feel like losing a family member or a close friend, especially if you’re attached to the pet. For instance, if your deceased pet was a dog who gave you unconditional love, was a source of comfort, and even provided security, the pain can be unbearable. When you think of the happy times you spent together, you’ll want to give your pet nothing short of a proper and decent send-off.
While choosing between pet cremation and burial is personal, many now prefer cremation. This is because it’s more economical and allows you to carry your pet’s remains wherever you go. Moreover, pet cremation services, like Lawnswood pet cremation, are now readily available in most parts of the world.

Can All Pets Be Cremated?
Dogs, cats, and horses are the most cremated animals; however, any pet can be cremated.
What Happens After The Death Of A Pet?
If your pet dies at the veterinary clinic, typically, the vet will preserve them and arrange for their transportation to the crematorium. However, suppose your pet dies at home, you can either take it to the crematorium yourself, ask for pickup services, or call your vet, who’ll arrange for the transportation to the crematorium.
Your pet will be preserved in the crematorium until the day of cremation, which is usually a few days at most.
What To Expect In A Pet Crematorium
To find a pet crematorium, ask your vet, who’ll probably know a good one, or run a Google search that’ll show you the ones near you. Most crematoriums usually have:
- An office: This is where you’ll discuss and arrange your pet’s cremation.
- Cremation room: The cremation chambers are traditionally separate from the office.
- Viewing room: This is where you’ll view the cremation as it happens during a witnessed cremation.
- Memorial room: Urns, keepsakes, jewelry, and other pet memorial-related objects are displayed in this room.
What Happens During Cremation?
During cremation, an attendant will place your pet in a cremation compartment, where their body will be reduced to ashes and dry bones after being subjected to intense heat in the range of 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the animal’s size, the process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours. For instance, a full-grown horse will take longer to cremate than a cat. The cremains are then processed to a uniform consistency after pins and other metal objects, like a dog’s collar buckle, are removed.
If you’re up to it, you can choose to witness the cremation from the viewing room, but if not, you can collect your pet’s ashes after a few hours or have them delivered to you.
Pet cremation costs vary depending on the size of the animal and the type of cremation you choose.
Types Of Cremation
- Private: Your pet will be cremated individually in a separate chamber. You’re guaranteed to get only your pet’s ashes with this type of cremation. It’s usually the costliest type of cremation.
- Some crematoriums have facilities that enable pets to be cremated in partitioned spaces simultaneously. You’ll, however, not be fully guaranteed of getting only your pet’s ashes.
- Communal: Here, the remains of several pets are cremated together in the same chambers, and the crematorium usually disposes of the ashes.
What Can Go Into The Furnace With Your Pet?
Contrary to human cremation, where it’s a requirement to have a biodegradable container or casket around the body during cremation, for pets, it’s not. Crematoriums, however, will allow your pet to be cremated while wrapped in their special blanket, together with selected toys and other items, as long as regulations are followed.
What To Do With Your Pet’s Cremains?
Handling your pet’s ashes can help you grieve and also find closure. There are many ways you can deal with your pet’s ashes. Some of which are:
- Holding them in an urn: You can simply place your pet’s ashes in a unique urn and display it on a shelf. You can personalize it by placing the pet’s picture next to it.
- Scattering: You can honor your pet by scattering its ashes on land or in water, guided by the activities that your pet loved. You can sprinkle the ashes along their favorite hiking trails or their special place in the yard, or use a biodegradable urn to scatter ashes in the water.
- Cremation jewelry and art: This is created by having your pet’s ashes mixed with melted glass to create decorative jewelry and art.
- Memorial Tree: You can plant a tree in honor of your pet and scatter their ashes around it as a memorial.
Conclusion
Whether your pet died from natural causes or was put out through euthanasia, planning for their interment can add weight to your heavy heart. Therefore, this guide is intended to take some burden off your shoulders.