Q: Where can I have my pet cremated?
A: Nearly every Veterinarian clinic in the country can arrange cremation for your pet. Your veterinarian is both medical doctor and funeral director for your pet, do not hesitate to ask probing questions to satisfy your curiosity and concerns. Check the "yellow pages" for pet cemeteries & crematories. Sometimes if you can deal directly with the crematory, you can get better levels of service and request on site visitation, which may cost more. If you are still having problems locating a cremation provider, contact a local funeral home or veterinary school in your area.
Q: How do I transfer my pet's ashes?
A: Pet and Human cremated remains are generally returned from the crematory in a temporary container made of plastic, cardboard or metal. Inside that container the cremated remains should be contained in a plastic bag that has been fastened with a twist tie or other fastener. The bagged ashes of your beloved pet can then be easily transferred directly into the urn "as is". Most companies include a new clean bag for your use should you need to funnel or transfer the ashes into the urn through a narrow opening.
Q: How many lines can I have on my engraved plate?
A: Please read about the specific urn as they are all different
Q: What do people put on the nameplate?
A: We see everything. Many of our plates just have just the Pet's name on them. Others have the Pet's name and the 'life' dates of the Pet. Still others have the Pet's name, then a 1-2 line saying, then the 'life' dates. Sample 'sayings' are listed below:
- In Loving Memory
- Forever In Our Hearts
- Gone, But Not Forgotten
- Always Remembered & Loved
- Faithful Companion
- Until We Meet Again
Q: Must I mail you the cremains?
A: Do not send us your pet's ashes. When you buy an urn off the internet you either have to install the ashes yourself, ask a family member or close friend to do it for you, or ask your veterinarian office to install the ashes (they perform this task frequently and understand your predicament). Another option is to have the urn shipped to your crematory or veterinarian for you to pick-up after the pet's ashes have been installed.
Q. What makes an urn an urn?
A: Urns are any container which you "the pet owner" feel best reflects the personality and dignity of your fallen friend's life here on earth. Ideally urns are 'tamper-resistant' and cannot be easily popped open while simply handling them. All of our urns are either screwed shut or have some other means for resisting accidental opening of the urn.
Q. What is Communal Cremation?
A: Communal cremation is when multiple pets are simultaneously cremated and their ashes disposed of on private cemetery grounds or taken to a local landfill.
Q. What is Private Cremation?
A: A private cremation is when 2, 3, or maybe 4 pets are cremated at the same time, but are physically separated by space or cremation bricks. The pets ashes are then removed from the crematory in reverse order to retain the integrity of the private cremation. The cremains are then generally processed in a commercial blender to attain a fine ash consistency and eliminate visible bone fragments. Private cremations reduce the cost associated with "Individual" cremations described below.
Q: Then what is Individual Cremation?
A: Individual cremation is one pet in one cremation unit at a time. Pure and simple, it is what most pet owners expect. Be sure to ask your provider for what type of service you are receiving. You deserve to know how your pet's cremation will be performed before the decision is made.
Q: How do I know what size of urn to buy?
A: Generally speaking, one pound of pet weight becomes about one cubic inch volume of ashes.
Q: What if I need an urn that is larger than 200 cubic inches?
If you are looking for a large urn over 200 cubic inches please email us with the pets weight and we can give you suggestions.
Q: What do people do with a keepsake urn?
A: A keepsake urn is usually a smaller than a typical urn and is used for keeping just a small amount of cremated remains. Typically, a keepsake urn would hold a teaspoons of cremated remains. The remaining ashes can be spread in an area that has meant a lot to you and your pet.