The Process and Cost of Pet Cremation
Losing a beloved pet is a soul-crushing experience. For most owners, it’s like losing a family member, and dealing with time-sensitive issues may feel a bit too much. However, it’s necessary to make all arrangements on time to avoid any inconveniences.
What to do with the pet’s body is a primary concern, and many owners choose cremation for various reasons. It’s convenient and often pretty affordable. Moreover, some services include useful extras in their cremation service to make your parting easier.
So, how much does it cost to cremate a pet? In this article, we’ll guide you through animal cremations costs and processes so you can better understand the service you’re choosing and the financial implications.
The cremation process: understanding the basics
The process of pet cremation is relatively new, and many owners are still hesitant about it. People tend to prefer more traditional options like burials simply because they aren’t familiar with all the details of the process.
It’s important to understand the steps to cremation before you make the decision. While some details may differ between various service providers, pet cremation usually consists of several steps:
- Start by contacting a trusted local pet crematorium to discuss pet cremation costs and details. It’s not unusual to make the call once your pet passes away, but if your furry friend suffers from severe illnesses or old age, you may want to make the arrangements in advance. It will save you from planning this sad farewell while grieving.
- The next step is taking your pet to the crematorium. Usually, the pet crematorium will have a service that can arrange to pick your beloved friend up, usually requiring 24 hours notice. Or you can take them yourself.
- The service staff will take care of your pet and place them in the cremation unit. Depending on the method of cremation you choose, your pet will be alone in the unit or with other pets.
- The staff removes any inorganic materials from the pet’s ashes before handing them over to you. Items may include objects like microchip implants, collars, or surgical pins.
- Small pieces of bone are ground down to create a fine texture of ash.
- The staff puts the remains in a container of your choosing – usually an urn or casket – and hands it over to you.
The entire process is usually over within a couple of hours, and you can pick up your pet’s ashes usually on the same or next day.
Pet cremation methods
If you want to know how much pet cremation costs, you must first decide what method of cremation you’d like to use. There are three common types of cremation:
Communal
People looking for affordable dog cremation usually choose communal cremation. It’s the cheapest method and it involves cremating several pets at the same time – all in one chamber. It’s therefore impossible to collect a single pet’s remains and hand them to the owners. Usually, the crematoriums scatter the ashes in a garden or a field dedicated to this purpose.
Individual
Individual pet cremation is a semi-private method. Several pets are placed in separate chambers and cremated at the same time. There is a very slight possibility of cremation mixings. The individual method can vary a lot from one crematory to another, and so can the cost to cremate a dog or other animal this way.
Private
If you don’t want to worry about pet cremation costs and only want to focus on giving your beloved best friend the final farewell that they deserve, going with private pet cremation is surely the best option. Only you and your pet will be in the cremation chamber so you can have a private moment and you can be sure the remains aren’t getting mixed. The crematorium will deliver your pet’s ashes in an urn of your choosing.
What’s the average cost of a pet cremation?
The average cost of pet cremation depends on many factors. It usually stands anywhere between £65 to £280. However, just as with any other service, pet cremation costs can vary drastically from one market to another. For example, according to Dignity Pet Crematorium, a cat costs £175 but a goldfish £65.
Dog cremation costs are usually based on the size or weight of the animal. The theory behind this is that big pets take up more space in the chambers and take longer to cremate. On Dignity Pet Crematorium, small dogs under 10kg cost £185, but dogs classed as ‘giant’ over 47.1kg cost up to £280.
Moreover, many crematories offer extra options you can choose that may significantly influence the final price. Some of them include:
- Transfer fees from the vet’s clinic to the crematorium
- Viewing fees—many owners find it comforting to be present during the process, and crematories that offer this possibility usually charge extra
- Cremation urns and caskets may differ in shape, feel, and price
- Memorials and specialised mausoleum niches for scattering the ashes
If you don’t have the funds to prepare a proper goodbye for your furry friend, GoFundMe pet fundraising is a great option to involve friends, family, and even strangers who care to help. There are many pet owners out there who have gone through the same pain you’re experiencing and who would love to help you cope with your loss.
How to choose a pet cremation service
To give your furry friend the send off they deserve, it’s important to check that the crematorium you choose is fully licensed and registered. It’s also good to have a conversation to ensure they can provide a service in line with your wishes before you go ahead and also to check costs. All of this information should be available on the website.
Cremation alternatives
If you aren’t thrilled with pet cremation costs in your area, or you don’t feel it is the best option for your pet, you may consider other options. The most popular ones are burial and taxidermy.
Burial
If cremation doesn’t seem appropriate, you can always bury your pet. However, you need to research the laws in your county to ensure it is legal.
According to the UK Government, you do not need permission to bury a small domestic animal like a cat or a dog in your garden. Different rules apply if it is a larger animal, like a horse, or you want to bury a larger amount of animals (like in a pet cemetery). These rules exist so that groundwater supplies aren’t contaminated. You can read more about them on the Gov.uk website.
Taxidermy
Some owners decide to keep their pets close to them for many years to come by having their pet taxidermied. Although it’s a method most commonly used for displaying hunter’s trophies, taxidermy is also a perfect way to preserve and honour a pet for many owners.
Getting financial help with the cost of pet cremation
Pet cremation costs are the last thing you should worry about when your furry friend passes away. Sadly, it’s still a matter you need to settle. If you don’t feel you can afford the cremation or burial for your pet, at least not the type of goodbye you want to give them, consider starting a GoFundMe today. Browse fundraising ideas to learn more about ways to collect funds for your pet’s cremation.