Our relationships with our pets are a remarkable joy of life. Our furry friends quickly become part of the family, and it can be difficult to imagine life without the joy and love they provide.
Whether you are a dog person, a cat person, or have a deep love for horses, the connection we share with our pets is unmatched. Each pet is unique, and the memories we share with them cannot be replicated with any other animal.
Unfortunately, there will come a time when we have to face life without our beloved companions. Even the pets with the longest life spans do not typically outlive their owners. It’s a heartbreaking fact of life that one day, we will have to lay our pets to rest. This is an incredibly difficult and emotional time for an individual or family, and the grief we feel is a reflection of the pure love we still hold for our furry loved ones.
When a pet does pass away, a decision must be made regarding our pet’s final resting place. Some people opt to bury their pets, choosing a part of their yard or garden to commemorate their faithful companion’s memory. However, you can also choose to have your pet cremated if the service is available where you live.
For questions regarding the availability of pet cremation where you live, you should always talk to your local veterinarians. When it comes to cremating a pet, however, you may be surprised to learn it is a common option for many pet owners.
There are three different types of pet cremation. Here’s everything you need to know about animal cremation and memorial services, so you can make an informed decision for your incredible pet.
Animal Cremation
Cremation is one of the most common ways to lay human loved ones to rest. It’s more popular than traditional burial, thanks in part to its environmental impact and ease of process. Although certain religious traditions such as Judaism and Islam do not allow for cremation, other religions such as Christianity may permit the practice. Religious tradition, cost, and memorial options all impact many peoples’ decisions when choosing between burial and cremation.
The same factors can influence the way we choose to lay our beloved pets to rest. Animal cremation has been common for almost as long as human cremation, although it may not be your first thought when considering your furry friend’s final rites.
In the modern-day, cremating an animal once it has passed away is a service that most veterinarians know well, and they can recommend a careful and considerate crematorium for your remarkable pet.
While the traditional option of burying a family pet on the family property will always be a staple, the option to cremate a pet that has passed on has grown in popularity. One of the main reasons why this option has grown in popularity is that it’s become more available and therefore more convenient. With the rise of pet memorial service options, a more pet parents are choosing formal final rites like cremation to honor their beloved animals’ lives.
There are three types of pet cremation you may consider if you choose this form of memorial.
Three Types of Pet Cremation
If you are new to pet cremation, you may be surprised to find out that there is more to the process than transforming your beloved pet’s remains into ashes. While the process is not as complex as human cremation, pet parents still have decisions to consider when they choose pet cremation. There are three common ways to cremate your remarkable pet: communal cremation, partitioned cremation, and private cremation.
Communal Cremation
Communal cremation is the most cost-effective way to cremate a pet, as multiple pets are cremated at one time. Because the cremation is communal, it can be more cost effective. However, pet parents won’t be able to receive their loved one’s ashes if they choose communal cremation because they will be mixed with other pets.
Partitioned Cremation
During partitioned cremation, your precious pet will still be cremated alongside other beloved animals. Unlike communal cremation, however, there will be partitions between each pet.
Although you can’t guarantee that the ashes you receive will only contain your adorable pet’s remains, partitioned cremation does provide more options to commemorate the legacy of your beloved companion. This form of cremation is more expensive than communal cremation, but less expensive than private cremation.
Private Cremation
Private cremation is the form of pet cremation that most closely resembles human cremation. Our treasured pets are part of our families, and private cremation is a dignified way to honor their memory and impact.
In a private cremation, your pet will be taken individually and cremated alone. You will then receive their ashes, much like you would in human cremation.
You may decide that this form of cremation is the most respectful of your cherished pet’s legacy. However, any of the above cremation processes are an ethical, safe, and loving way to process your pet’s remains.
Similarities Between Human and Pet Cremation
The physical cremation process is similar for beloved humans and cherished pets. They both require temperatures between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, and they are both common ways to prepare a loved one’s body for memorial.
However, human cremation does not allow communal cremation, and human cremation has slightly stricter rules in place regarding the cremation process. Animal cremations are less regulated and overseen by a local facility. Still, many animal crematoriums understand that our pets are precious, and they will treat our loved ones with the utmost respect.
The cost of animal cremation varies more than human cremation. For instance, the cost of cremating a beloved English Mastiff is going to be more expensive than the cost of cremating a small Tabby cat.
While there are certain costs that are fixed depending on the services offered to your community, such as the form of cremation that you choose, the cost for private cremation will vary based on the size of your treasured companion.
Memorial Options for Pet Cremations
In a communal cremation, the ashes collected after the cremation are typically scattered in a designated area and are impossible to receive. In partitioned and private cremation, you’ll receive your furry friend’s ashes, so you can honor their legacies however you choose.
Some pet parents will decide to hold pet memorial services. Others will create their own personal memorials for their pets by displaying their ashes in commemorative urns or scatting the ashes over places that meant a lot to their beloved animals.
No matter which way we choose to show our love for our animal companions, a memorial provides an opportunity to share the story of our pets’ remarkable lives.
Creating a Memorial Diamond Out of Your Pet’s Ashes
A pet is more than an animal—they are a part of your family. Our pets hold a special place in our hearts, and the impact they hold on our lives is remarkable. When a pet passes away, it can be incredibly hard to say goodbye, and it’s natural to want to commemorate their legacy and impact.
Pets are loyal, loving, and always there for us. Whether we’re having a wonderful day or we’re struggling to keep our chins up, our faithful dog, cat, or rabbit provided pure love that never failed to make us smile. One way of memorializing the relationship you shared with your pets is to turn their ashes into a memorial diamond.
This seven-stage process takes the ashes collected after the cremation and purifies them down to their carbonic elements. Once this carbon has been purified from your pet’s ashes, it is grown into an authentic diamond in a lab that replicates the environment in the Earth’s mantle where diamonds are naturally grown.
These diamonds are then cut by our master cutters, and you’re given the option to choose a color, setting, or engraving to honor your pet’s unique personality.
When this process is complete, you will have an authentic diamond graded by IGI, one of the most respected diamond rating agencies. This unique method of commemorating your beloved pet’s legacy is a way of keeping them with you for all of eternity.
Sources
Cremation Process | Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
Pet cremation: questions and answers for veterinarians | VIN
