Black cat and brown dog laying next to each other on the ground.

Losing a pet can be one of the hardest things that people have to endure. Walking through the home, seeing all the places where a cat, dog or other animal once spent time. It is a difficult loss that is often as crushing as the loss of a relative, although people might not expect it. Planning for the final rest of a beloved pet takes time, but there are ways to make it easier. With this guide, pet owners will know their options for cremation urns, how to arrange for the cremation of a pet, and what to expect from the process.

Types of Pet Cremation

When pet owners consider cremation for their pets after they die, they may have different options. Companies that provide cremation for pets offer unique services than cremation for humans. The choice that people will make depends on their budget, as well as what they plan to do with the remains.

Communal Cremation

Communal cremation is one of the most affordable cremation options for pet owners. With this type of cremation, the company cremates the remains of several pets at once. At the end of the process, the remains are mixed. As such, pet owners can’t get individual pet remains after the service. The business may offer a cemetery or scattering ground for the remains, but it depends on the company. Communal cremation may cost $50 to $100.

Partitioned Cremation

Partition cremation is an alternative to communal cremation. It’s designed for pet owners who are trying to keep costs down, but want to receive the remains afterward. This approach involves cremating multiple animals at once, with a partition to separate them. People can request the remains be given to them, but there’s a possibility that there may be remains from other pets mixed in as well. This type of cremation cost $75 to $200.

Private Cremation

Private cremation is the most expensive type of cremation for pets. It is similar to cremation services for humans. Private cremation involves cremating one animal at a time. For large animals like horses, private cremation may be the only option available. As such, private cremation costs $250 to $500.

Multiple pets photoshopped together including dogs, cats, and birds. Multiple pets photoshopped together including dogs, cats, and birds.

Best Cremation Urns for Pets

Choosing the right urn can be a surprisingly wonderful experience for pet owners. Although the process often comes at a sad time, there is such variety that everyone can find something they will love.

How to Size Cremation Urns

Although there are standard sizes in urns for adult humans, pets vary too much in size. As a general rule, pet owners should assume that they will need 10 cubic inches per 10 pounds of a pet’s weight. For example, a 50-pound dog might need 50 to 60 cubic inches. It’s possible to divide remains among several urns. This is a popular approach for pet owners who want to place a small amount of remains in a keepsake urn or cremation jewelry. When in doubt, it’s better to buy a larger urn than necessary.

Pet cremation jewelry. Pet cremation jewelry.

Cremation Urns for Dogs

The loss of a favorite dog is difficult, but it is easy to honor their memory. Besides an extensive line of urns, In The Light Urns offers a variety of dog-themed cremation jewelry for customers. The Black Dog Jewelry Urn features a dog made out of black crystals and stainless steel. The Big Dog Paw Print Pendant Ash Urn has the outline of a large dog’s paw print on stainless steel. For something with high durability, the Paw Print Cylinder Pendant Keepsake Urn is waterproof. Pet owners who want something more traditional might consider the Wooden Heart & Paws Cremation Necklace Urn. For those who enjoyed taking their dogs hunting, the Paw Print Bullet Pendant Urn could be the perfect choice.

Pet cremation jewelry. Pet cremation jewelry.

Cremation Urns for Cats

Losing a beloved cat can be a devastating experience. All those nights spent cuddled with a cat can come to life again with several cremation jewelry options. The Cat and Kitten Pendant Ash Urn features the outline of a cat with a kitten in stainless steel. For something a little less traditional, the Kitty Cat Ash Urn showcases the lines of a cat’s face on stainless steel. Pet owners who want a striking, conversation piece might consider the Cats Eye Crystal Ash Necklace Urn. This urn is made from stone that looks like a cat’s eye when the light touches it, for an unusual beauty.

Photo Cremation Urns

Photo cremation urns are a great way for pet owners to highlight the pet that they loved in real life. These urns come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some are intended for scattering and would make a perfect keepsake after a memorial. Others are sturdy, made of wood, cultured stone or durable metal. For something that feels as real as life, the Crystal Memory 3D Heart & Light Box is a great choice. The light box shines directly into the crystal, for a perfect view.

Heart shaped photo cremation memorial. Heart shaped photo cremation memorial.
Custom Photo Memorials

Ornament Urns

Ornament urns and memorials are an excellent option for pet owners who want to showcase their love for their pets, but who don’t want to buy or wear jewelry. The Personalized Ceramic Oval Ornament has a full-color picture depicted on ceramic. Although this ornament doesn’t hold remains, there are a variety of ornament keepsake urns that will.

The In My Heart Paw Print Photo Wood Bulb Ornament Urn is a wooden memorial Christmas ornament urn for ashes, with an aluminum threaded closure, to tightly secure the ashes. The In My Heart Paw Print Photo Wood Bulb Ornament Urn is a wooden memorial Christmas ornament urn for ashes, with an aluminum threaded closure, to tightly secure the ashes.
In My Heart Paw Print Photo Wood Bulb Ornament Urn

Cremation Jewelry

Cremation jewelry is a wonderful way to keep a pet close to the heart. The Color Photo Pendant Heart Urn uses a unique process to engrave the photo directly onto the pendant’s surface. The Heart Stainless Photo Jewelry Pendant offers a scalloped heart shape featuring the photo of a loved one. These options are great for gifts after a memorial, or simply to honor years with a beloved pet.

The Heart Stainless Photo Jewelry Pendant - Love Charms™ Option is polished stainless steel diamond pendant. This pendant can hold your favorite photo of your loved one. The Heart Stainless Photo Jewelry Pendant - Love Charms™ Option is polished stainless steel diamond pendant. This pendant can hold your favorite photo of your loved one.
Heart Stainless Photo Jewelry Pendant

Free Urns

The loss of a pet can come unexpectedly, and the costs for their final care can add to an already-thin budget. In The Light Urns offers a variety of free urns that only require the cost of shipping. These urns are durable but have minor cosmetic imperfections that make them unsuitable for regular sale, such as scratches or dents. For pet owners who are trying to keep costs down, a free urn might allow them to keep their loved one’s remains close to them.

Death Care Practices for Pets

Making a plan after the death of a beloved pet is a difficult process for many people. In most cases, pet owners can decide how they want to handle the remains of the pet. Cremation is available for most types of pets, depending on the location. Pet owners who want to cremate a less-common pet, such as a fish or reptile, may need to call around and find out who offers the service.

A dog with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. A dog with its tongue hanging out of its mouth.

Death Care Practices for Dogs

Although many people choose to bury a beloved dog, they can be cremated as well. When dogs get older, some pet owners may choose euthanasia as a humane way to allow their pet to rest. This service can be done at a vet clinic or at home, depending on the company providing the service. Dogs are larger pets, which means that they need to be buried several feet underground. Dogs who worked in some kind of service may have public funerals or memorials.

Calico kitten looking up at the camera. Calico kitten looking up at the camera.

Death Care Practices for Cats

The earliest burials of cats have been recorded thousands of years ago in Egypt. These days, most people have their cats cremated. They can also bury a cat on private land or in a designated pet cemetery, although they should choose a sturdy box to keep out predators. It is common to hold a funeral or memorial service to provide a final farewell for cats.

Goldfish from the front. Goldfish from the front.

Death Care Practices for Fish

For decades, many people have handled the death of a pet fish by placing the body in a local stream or flushing it down the toilet. Experts do not recommend this practice, because it can release toxins or fish diseases into the water supply. Instead, people may want to arrange to have the fish cremated. Otherwise, families can place the fish in an appropriate-sized box and bury it at least several inches underground, to avoid predators.

Parakeet. Parakeet.

Death Care Practices for Birds

Like cats and dogs, birds are common pets. They can live a very long time, up to 75 years or more for certain species. Burying a pet bird is common, but cremation for birds in rising in popularity. Since birds tend to be lightweight, the cremation process may take much less time than it would for other animals.

Guinea pigs frolicking in the grass. Guinea pigs frolicking in the grass.

Death Care Practices for Small Animals

Attending to the death of small animals is a regular process for pet owners. Most live for only 2 to 3 years with good care. As with birds, the cremation process for small animals is shorter than average. Pet owners may want to consult with a vet or local animal shelter to find out their options.

Chameleon. Chameleon.

Death Care Practices for Reptiles

When pet owners suffer the loss of a reptile, such as a turtle or lizard, they can choose between burial and cremation. Reptiles can live much longer than most other types of pets, sometimes outliving their original owners. It is common to bury reptiles a few feet underground, especially larger ones. Many crematory businesses will handle the cremation of reptiles, but pet owners should call first to be sure.

Horse looking into the distance. Horse looking into the distance.

Death Care Practices for Horses

The loss of a beloved horse can be a devastating blow to the people who love them. Unlike smaller pets, where cremation is more of a convenience than a necessity, cremation may be the only choice available for a horse or other large animal. Pet owners should investigate their options in advance. While many crematory services will handle pets as well as humans, they may not be equipped to move the body of a horse to the facility. There are businesses that specialize in horse cremation, and they usually offer transportation as part of the service.

What to Do With Pet Remains

Experts estimate that the vast majority of pets are cremated in the United States. Although pet owners often expect to cremate a beloved pet after they die, they may not know what to do with the cremated remains. Like human remains, the remains of a pet will not spoil over time. As such, if people need extra time to think about what they want to do, they can store the remains safely in their homes until they are ready to make a choice.

Scattering Pet Remains

Scattering is a popular way to handle pet remains. If it is a public place, pet owners should investigate what they need to do in order to scatter the remains legally. In many cases, it is a good idea to scatter the remains over a broad area. Raking the remains into the soil can be a great way of returning a pet’s body to the earth.

Burial for Pet Remains

Although many pet owners choose cremation so that they do not have to bury a pet, burial is still a common option for cremated remains. If pet owners have access to a pet cemetery nearby, they may choose to purchase a plot for the burial. Otherwise, they could consider burying the remains on their own property. For many people, burying or scattering remains is an important part of the grieving process. They may want to involve family members in a memorial ceremony to the pet.

Cremation Urns

Pet owners who can’t bury a pet might consider keeping the remains in an urn. Urns come in all shapes and sizes, so people are sure to find the right product that perfectly suits their pets. Although there are urns designed specifically for pets, it’s easy to choose one that works with a pet owner’s décor and style. The remains of small pets might fit in a keepsake urn, but larger dogs might need an adult-sized urn.

How to Arrange for Pet Cremation

Arranging for a pet‘s cremation depends on several factors. If the pet dies at a vet hospital or clinic, the location may have a partnership with a cremation service that handles everything. When a pet dies at home, pet owners have more options, but they also have more decisions they have to make. These tips can help.

Set a Budget

The first thing that people should do before scheduling cremation services is to set a budget. Cremation for a pet can cost hundreds of dollars. Many pet owners are left with significant vet bills at the end of a pet’s life. When people call around to find out prices, they should ask what is included in the service. For example, the service might include cremation and a simple urn for the remains, but charge extra for transportation. As a general rule, pet owners should plan to spend at least $50 but probably not more than $500, unless the pet is a horse.

Get Recommendations

In most cases, vet clinics have crematory services that they can offer. They usually have a partnership with a company that will come and pick up the pet, cremate the remains, and deliver it back to the clinic. Animal shelters may be able to help make arrangements, as well. Pet owners may want to start by asking for recommendations from their vet or shelter. This is particularly important for pets that aren’t cats or dogs. The vet is more likely to know of a service that will cremate different types of animals, especially larger animals.

Choose a Location

Pet owners may have many options to choose from, depending on the type of cremation that they want. People who want communal or partition cremation should make sure that the location offers this type of service. Private cremation is the default, particularly for businesses that primarily handle human remains. Pet owners may want to factor in distance as well as price. If they have to drive a long way to pick up the remains, that may be an important factor in the decision.

Arrange for Transport

If the pet will need to go to the crematory service from home, transportation will have to be arranged. The company offering cremation may provide transportation as part of the service, or as an additional fee. Pet owners may think that they want to bring the pet to the service, but they should still investigate transportation options. After the death of a pet, people often don’t feel like going out. The idea of taking a lost pet may be too much to bear.

Preparing for the Death of a Pet

The way that people prepare for the death of a pet depends on the pet’s age, health and other factors. Some pet owners are able to spend months getting ready for the inevitable. Others are caught by surprise, having to say goodbye without planning.

Make Arrangements for Death Care

Once the pet is gone, people will need to have a plan for how they will handle the pet’s remains. It’s a good idea to ask a local vet for options and estimates, when appropriate. If making arrangements is too difficult, pet owners can ask for the help of a family member or friend. Someone else can make a few phone calls or browse online to find out available services. Asking for help in this way can make it easier for pet owners to focus on their pets.

Allow Time for Extra Pet Care

Attending to a pet in their last days or hours is much like attending to the health of any dying family member. It’s going to take a lot of energy and time. Pets who are in bad health may want to be close to a loved one as they pass. Pet owners should do what they can to make time for extra pet care in these final hours. It can be difficult to push off regular responsibilities, but it is an important part of the grieving process.

Two girls cuddled up next to a pug on the couch. Two girls cuddled up next to a pug on the couch.

How to Help Children Cope With Pet Death

Pet death is often the first exposure the children have to the dying process. It can be very difficult for them, especially young children who don’t understand what’s going on. Parents can help them by taking the time to explain to them, and making room for them to grieve.

Explain the Process

Parents may want to start by explaining what happens to people and animals when they die. Pet owners who are planning for cremation can briefly summarize the process. The conversation should be relatively brief, using simple terms. That way, children are more likely to get at least some information out of it.

Make Room for Sadness

Helping children through a bad situation often reveals for parents the biases and expectations that they were raised with. When dealing with grief, many people learn that stifling it is harder than letting it out. Some adults grieve in silence, but this isn’t true for everyone. Many people, especially children, expressed sadness through vocal and visible means. Parents should make room for their children to be sad about the experience. They shouldn’t rush a child to be quiet or stop crying.

Model Good Self Care

When children are coping with the loss of a pet, they may look to their parents to understand what they should do. In this moment, parents do best when they model good care for themselves and others while they grieve. People don’t have to save their own sadness for after the children go to bed. However, they can demonstrate good emotional regulation by controlling their outbursts and otherwise taking care of themselves. Parents whose grief manifests as anger should take care not to direct it at others.

Encourage Children to Participate in Rituals

Everyone grieves differently. Someone who wouldn’t think much of attending a funeral might not understand how important it is for others. Just like adults, children want to have a sense of closure after a pet dies. They may want to participate in a funeral or memorial service for the pet. Parents should consider involving their children in planning. Allowing children to have some decision-making power in this way can help them to express their grief in a healthy manner.