Aftercare Options
There are several options for aftercare for your pet's body. These are influenced by financial and personal considerations, or religious beliefs. Most veterinarians will inform you of the choices, as they generally have a relationship with a nearby crematory or pet cemetery. Cremation or burial is the most common preferences.
A tiny percentage of pet owners may prefer more unconventional options, such as taxidermy for freeze-drying. We recommend that they investigate fully how that is accomplished, before deciding. There are some details and aftereffects that may deter the choice.
Cremation: This option enables you to keep your pet's ashes in an urn or other special container in your home, bury them - or even scatter them later, in a location that will be meaningful to you. And there is no time pressure on you to make any of these decisions.
You can have your pet's body cremated, either with other pets as a group cremation, or individually. In the less expensive group cremation there are no cremains returned. With individual cremation, the ashes are returned to keep and deal with at your discretion. You can choose a permanent urn, but at this point there is no rush to do that.
Usually, your veterinarian will be glad to make the arrangements and notify you when you can expect to have the ashes returned. Generally, pet owners are surprised at the small quantity or cremains that are returned.
Burial: Burial at a pet cemetery is also a common choice. Each has its own requirements, and any specifics should be worked out in advance, between you, your vet, and the cemetery. Burial has a sense of permanence and respect that many pet owners appreciate.
There are many pet cemeteries across the country. You can find them in the Yellow Pages, under Pet Cemetery and Crematories, or through your veterinarian. And they can be found on the Internet through the International Association of Pet Cemeteries (iaopc.com). Try to make arrangements beforehand if you can. Immediately after the death of a beloved pet is not a good time for you to make a good choice.
Burial at home is preferred by many, but may not be practical, or permitted, in your area. Be sure to check your local zoning restrictions. Also, this option is not an option for those who live in a city or rent. Your veterinarian may have this information for you. If it is allowed, and you decide to bury your pet in the yard, keep in mind that one-day you may relocate to a new home.
Whatever choices are made, you may want to bring a few personal items with you, to be buried or cremated with your pet's body. This may be a special toy, coat, flower, poem, picture, etc. Also, you may appreciate clipping and saving a bit of your pet's fur. Many pet owners take comfort in having this special remembrance.
