Let me just offer my condolences right off the bat. You probably didn’t just stumble onto this article while looking for some light reading. You are probably dealing with the soul-crushing loss of your beloved pet.
Losing a pet is an agonizing experience. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your grief, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Consider reading our quotes about pet loss or our advice on processing the loss of a pet if you need to work out your pain a bit more.
I’ve been there and understand the feeling too well. Unfortunately, even amid this bleak time, you’ll have to deal with a few important, time-sensitive issues.
For starters, you’ll need to figure out what to do with your dog’s body. Cremation is likely the most popular choice among owners, but there are a few other options, which some owners find more appealing.
Part of the reason that cremation is popular is that it’s generally pretty affordable and convenient. We’ll talk about the average costs of the service and explain some of the alternative options below.
The Cost of Pet Cremation
The average cost for a dog cremation is usually between $50 and $150.
However, like any other service, cremation costs vary from one market to the next. Some factors that affect cremation costs include:
- Location / Region. Cremations services vary in pricing based on what part of the country you live in. It’ll cost more to get your pet cremated in Manhattan than it in Topeka.
- Pet Size. Larger dogs tend to be more expensive to cremate, and many cremation services will charge based on the size of your pet.
- Transfer Fees. The transferring of your pet’s body to the crematorium is not included as part of the cremation price. Some vet offices may have a partnership with certain crematoriums to get this transfer service at a discount. Otherwise, you will have to pay the crematorium to pick up your pet’s body from your home (usually around $50 give or take).
- Viewing Fees. Some cremation centers allow you to attend and observe the cremation process for an added fee. Some owners find this to be a therapeutic process.
- Cremation Urns + Other Memorial Options. Most owners will choose to have their pet’s ashes housed in a urn, wooden box, or some other housing container. You can purchase your own privately, or oftentimes cremation services will provide you with an urn of your choice for an added cost.
- Burial Plots. Some crematoriums offer the option to have your pet’s ashes buried on-site or in a partner burial location. This would be another potential added fee.
Despite all the potential variety in pricing, the vast majority of crematoriums have “low-cost” options for owners with tight budgets.
Pet Cremation Options to Choose From
When considering cost, it’s also important to keep in mind that there are several types of cremation services you can choose from.
- Private (Most Expensive). With private cremations, your pet’s remains will be the only remains present in the cremation chamber, so the ashes won’t be mixed with other individuals’.
- Individual (Mid-Range Cost). Individual cremations are somewhere between the private and communal options. Your pet’s remains are cremated at the same time as several other pets, but the remains are kept in separate chambers. While some cross-contamination is more likely than with completely private cremations, the risk is fairly minimal.
- Communal (Most Affordable). With communal cremation, several pets are cremated at once and in the same chamber, resulting in the ashes all being mixed together. If the ashes are sent to you, you may have some of your own dog’s remains along with other pets. Many times the crematory will dispose of the ashes for you, sprinkling them in a dedicated on-site space, such as a garden.
The Basic Cremation Process: What You Should Expect
Understandably, a lot of dog owners are apprehensive about the cremation process. But it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the basics of the procedure, so that you’ll know what to expect after dropping off your pet.
- You’ll start by contacting a local crematorium. The staff will help guide you through the process and explain the various options available to you. For example, there are varying levels of cremation and different manners in which the staff will prepare the ashes. Once you’ve made your choices and scheduled an appointment, you’ll drop off your pet off with the staff.
- The staff will place your pet in a cremation unit. Once turned on, the machine will reach temperatures ranging between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This will essentially vaporize your pet’s body, leaving behind a coarse dust and pieces of bone.
- Any non-organic material will be removed from the ashes. This includes things like surgical pins, microchip implants or collars. Some crematoriums will carry out this step by hand, but others will use magnets to help expedite the process.
- The remaining ashes and bones will be crushed to create uniformly sized particles. Typically, the resulting product will have the texture of fine sand.
- The remains will be transferred to a container and returned to you. The type of container used will vary depending on the facility and your own personal preferences, but sealed plastic bags, cardboard boxes or small metal tins are the most common vessels used.
Usually, the cremation process itself can be completed in a few hours or less, and you’ll typically be able to pick up your pet’s remains the same day you drop them off.
What Should You Do With Your Pet’s Ashes?
After having your dog cremated, you’ll receive a small package from the crematorium containing your dog’s remains. Different owners choose to handle these remains in different ways.
Some like to put the ashes in a vase, urn or similar container. If you think this is the option you’d like to take, see our suggestions on some beautiful pet cremation urns you may want to consider.
You could even create a small shrine for your pet by displaying the vase along with a few photos of your pet and other keepsakes.
Alternatively, you may wish to spread the ashes at your pup’s favorite beach or forest, or perhaps scatter them in some other place that has sentimental value for you and your pet.
Just be sure to follow all relevant laws and regulations when doing so, as some locations have rules about where you are and are not allowed to scatter ashes.
Pet Cremation Alternatives
If cremation doesn’t feel right for you and your pet, there are a couple of other options available to you.
Burial
You can simply bury your dog if cremation isn’t within your budget or doesn’t seem appropriate for your circumstances.
You’ll need to research the laws in your area first to ensure that you don’t get yourself into trouble and be sure to follow all local ordinances in effect – especially those regarding burial depth and burial containers.
Many rural areas allow you to bury your pet on your own property, but this is rarely legal to do in urban areas. In such cases, you’ll need to find a local pet cemetery, which is designed specifically for such purposes.
Note that pet cemeteries will typically charge you for the plot space, so you may need to call around a bit to find a location you can afford.
Burial plots usually cost between $400 and $600, and you’ll often be required to purchase a casket too. Dog caskets range in price from $50 no-frills models to exquisitely crafted models with price tags climbing into four-figure territory.
Keep in mind that while burial is more-or-less free (aside from the cost of a burial container) for those who needn’t buy a plot, it will take plenty of effort and planning to carry out. It’ll also involve lots of contact with your dead pet, and you’ll have to physically dig and re-fill the grave too. So it’s certainly not the easiest option on both a physical and emotional level.
If you do end up burying your dog, you may also want to consider adding a touching pet memorial stone on the spot where your dog is buried.
You could use one of these stones even if you didn’t want to bury your pet, and simply place the stone in a favorite backyard hangout your buddy enjoyed as a simple outdoor memorial.
Other Pet Memorial Keepsakes
If you aren’t crazy about the idea of keeping your canine’s remains, there are plenty of other ways to remember your pet.
You may want to consider keeping a photo of your dog in a beautiful frame, or even commissioning a custom portrait of your beloved pal that you can hang on your wall in loving memory.
Some pet portrait services offer a variety of painting styles and designs that allow for creative, unique portraits of your furry pal you’ll treasure forever.
Custom photo books are another option – and they’re a great way to document and remember all the fun times you’ve had with your buddy over the years. Collecting and reflecting on the various photos can also be a helpful tool for processing your loss and letting yourself fully grieve.
Memorial jewelry is yet another option. Some Etsy artists will even laser cut a necklace charm with the silhouette of your dog, provided you have an appropriate photo you can send for them to use as a base.
Taxidermy
Although taxidermy is more commonly used to display the trophy’s harvested by hunters and anglers, you can also have a pet preserved in the same way.
Some owners may find this concept a bit macabre, but others find it the perfect way to honor their pet and keep them close for years to come.
I don’t want to explain the specifics of the procedure given the sensitive subject matter, but a taxidermist will essentially turn your pet into a semi-permanent “statue,” which you can then place in your home.
Check out this link if you’d like to learn more about the actual process, but I implore you to use caution – it’s a bit graphic and may be very upsetting for those who’ve recently lost a pet.
Taxidermy is often a relatively expensive process, but the actual prices vary widely from one location to the next. Your pet’s size will also play an important role in determining the price. Figure that you’ll spend at least $500 having your pet preserved in this manner, and you may need to spend more than twice as much in some cases.
Dog Cremation FAQs
How long does it take to get a cremated dog back?
It usually takes anywhere from 1-3 weeks to complete the process of having your deceased pet transferred to the crematory, having their remains undergo the cremation process, and finally receiving the remains returned to you in the mail.
What do vets do with cremated animals?
Veterinarians themselves do not handle the cremation process. Instead, they will often partner with a commercial pet crematorium and have the remains disposed of through group / communal cremation.
With the communal cremation option, multiple pets are cremated together and the remains are disposed of by the crematory.
Can you cremate your pet at home?
No — it is essentially impossible to cremate your pet at home, as you would need an industrial-caliber oven.
Can my pet’s ashes be cremated with me?
Not usually. Most states don’t allow pets and humans to be buried together.
There are a few exceptions – Pennsylvania and Virginia allow some options for companion burial, although the specific logistics vary. In New York, humans can have their cremains (ash remains) buried with their pets, but only in a pet cemetery.
Do you really get your pet’s ashes back with pet cremation?
Yes — so long as you opt for the private or individual cremation option, you will receive your pet’s ashes back.
In a communal cremation, since your pet is cremated alongside several other animals, the ashes will usually simply be disposed of. If you are able to have communal ashes sent to you, they will be the ashes of several different animals, not just your pet.
Is it better to cremate or bury your dog?
This is largely a personal choice, but generally cremating your dog’s body will be much easier than burying your dog.
After losing a pet, the difficult manual task of burying a plot in your backyard can be overwhelming (although some might find it therapeutic). You also will need to check with your city and local ordinances on whether or not you can legally bury your pet on your property – in many cases it may not be allowed.
In addition, if the ground is frozen or the weather is not co-operating, burying a deceased pet can be nearly impossible. Poorly conducted burials may also result in predators and wildlife digging up your pet’s body.
Cremation is generally the preferred option. Once you receive your pet’s ashes, you can bury them more easily and – if you bury them in an urn – you can even relocate the ashes upon moving.
Plus, you can choose from a number of special, unique memorial options with your dog’s ashes. From pet memorial jewelry to unique urns, there are many creative, beautiful ways to pay tribute to your pet with your dog’s cremains.
How much does it cost to cremate a 70-pound dog?
Prices can vary based on several factors, but a private cremation service will generally cost around $200 – $250 for a 70-pound dog.
***
I lost a beloved pet about a decade ago – a chocolate lab mix who’d lived by my side for nearly 16 years. For a variety of reasons, I decided that burial was the best option for me and the best way to honor her. She now resides on a beautiful hillside overlooking her favorite stomping grounds, and I can visit her anytime I like.
But, while I’m happy I chose this option, preparing the site was physically and emotionally grueling. Some may find the process cathartic; I just found it draining. Despite being in relatively good shape, I was physically sore for a week after digging her grave. Undoubtedly, the pain originated in my heart, but my shoulders seemed to take the brunt of it.
We’d love for you to share your own experiences in the comments below. Dealing with a deceased pet is simply horrible, and your story may help others understand that they aren’t alone and that others have dealt with a similar tragedy.
Leave a Comment