Losing a pet is one of the most difficult things families can go through. Our animals become part of the family, we care for them and they give us love in return. However, our pets' lives are short and while we give them as much love as possible in their lifetime, it doesn’t hurt any less when it's time for them to go. You may want to memorialise them after they have passed to keep them in your memory and reflect on their life with you. While it may seem difficult to think about what you want to do once your pet has passed, it’s a good idea to know what to expect so that you can be prepared. Understanding animal cremations allows you the chance to properly say goodbye to your special friends and part with them in the way you choose.
Â
Although it isn’t something anybody likes to think about, if you know what to expect, it will make the process much easier and stress-free. Here’s what you need to know about pet cremation and memorial services.
Dealing with the loss of a pet
You can never fully prepare yourself for the loss of a pet, especially if it is your first one. It’s a good idea to discuss your options with your family and your vet in advance so you know what you want to do and how you will do it. If you intend to sort everything out after your pet has passed, you may find it hard to really take in all the information and make the right decisions for you and your family. It’s best to think about it before it happens and plan as much as possible so that you are able to deal with your emotions as and when they come about. You may need to decide between burial and cremation, where the remains will go on top of learning to live your life without your best friend. It can be hard and there’s no reason to make it more difficult for yourself. Think about things before they happen and it will allow you an appropriate amount of time to focus your attention on the grieving process and how to heal.
Â
Take the following things into consideration when possible:
Â
-      Will your pet transition in the care of your vet or at home? Sometimes you don’t get to choose how this happens, but it’s good to plan just in case.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Will you bury your pet or have them cremated?
-Â Â Â Â Â Â What pet crematorium will you use?
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Will you keep your pet's ashes or have them scattered?
The grieving process
The grieving process often begins before your pet has passed, once you realise you don’t have much time left with them. It is no different to grieving your family and friends and can be just as difficult. You may find yourself in a period of denial, feeling like it’s not your time to go, there may be more treatments you can try or other vets that could help. You may begin to feel anger and guilt, perhaps towards yourself. You may feel like there was more you could have done or some way you should have known there was something wrong. These can be very strong feelings and the pet owner may lash out at anyone they can. It is all part of the process of grief. It’s usually after these stages that you will begin to feel the full extent of grief and sadness. It’s important to remember that your loved ones are there to support you and may be going through the same thing as you are. You should talk about your feelings as much as possible.
How do animal cremations work?
Some pet wonders may choose a burial, however, cremation is also an option, it is simply about what best suits you and your family. If you choose a cremation you can then decide whether to keep your pet’s ashes, scatter or bury them. The decision is entirely up to you and allows you to honour your pet's transition. You should try to familiarise yourself with the right pet crematorium and make sure they are a good fit for you. Animal cremations are no different to human cremations and you can often find crematoriums that cater to both animals and humans. However, many crematoriums just cremate animals.
Â
When choosing a pet crematorium, there will often be very friendly staff members there ready to guide you through the process. They may offer to show you around the facility and explain how things will happen. A common pet crematorium will be set up with the following:
Â
-      A memorial room where you can choose your pet’s cremation urn and a place to browse keepsakes they have on offer. Some places may allow you to take some of your pet’s ashes to be made into cremation jewellery or artwork.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Business office - the area where you can sit down and discuss your needs and desires.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Viewing room - While many pet owners may choose to wait in a private room, some crematoriums may offer a viewing room to witness the process.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Cremation room - This is where the cremation chamber is housed and where the cremation takes place.
Â
It's completely acceptable to ask for a tour of the crematorium so you can understand what takes place and where your pet will be cremated.
What pets can be cremated? Dog cremation options and more
The most common pets to be cremated are dogs along with cats and horses. It can be difficult to bury larger animals, so cremation offers a better alternative. You can cremate any animal if they are important to you, they deserve a good send-off. Small animal cremations can be done for birds, rabbits, hamsters and even exotic pets such as monkeys. If you find a good pet crematorium they will be able to help you with any request.
Choosing the right pet crematorium
Pet cremation has become more popular in recent years, so it isn’t too difficult to find a good pet crematorium. Whether you are planning for the future or need a pet crematorium now, it’s a good idea to shop around and find the right option. You can judge a crematorium based on its atmosphere, how friendly its staff is and if it offers the things you need. It’s important to feel supported by the crematorium that you will be working with and not like your feelings aren’t being understood. You can do a quick Google search to find pet crematoriums near you or speak to your vet or animal shelter. They will be able to advise you on the most suitable choice for you and your pet.
Will you get your pet’s ashes back?
Many pet owners will want to know if they will get their pet’s ashes back. This is mostly dependent on the cremation you choose. There are usually three types of cremations for pets: communal, partitioned or private.
Â
-      Communal - This is where your pet will be cremated along with other animals. In this type of cremation, you won’t be able to get your pet’s ashes back.
-      Partitioned - This is where your pet is cremated along with other animals, but they are put in a partition. This allows you to get your pet’s ashes back, but you may have some other ashes from another animal too.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Private - A private cremation means it is just your pet being cremated and you can ask for the ashes back.
Â
The amount of ashes is usually 3.5% of your pet’s weight before they were cremated. If you want to be able to scatter your dog or cat’s ashes, it’s important to choose a partitioned or private cremation.
Cherished Hearts Cremation - Pet Cremation in London
Do you require small animal cremations or looking at dog cremation options? At Cherished Hearts Cremation, we offer animal cremations and memorial services to honour your loved pet. As pet owners, we know how hard it is to lose a pet, but we want to help them have the send-off they deserve. To learn more about cat and dog cremation options call us today. We want you to receive your cat's ashes to do with them what you wish.