Pet Cremation

PET CREMATION

Pet cremation, much like human cremation is conducted within a crematorium. Your local crematorium may assist in the cremation of your pet, please speak to them and ask for more information. Below we have listed the numerous dedicated Pet crematoriums in the UK that will be able to service your needs aswell as some general information on Pet Cremation.

Brief History of Pet Cremation

Pet cremations have become increasingly popular due to public demand. The service has matured from a simple ‘pet disposal service’ in the 1980’s to fully-fledged pet crematoriums that offer a full, individual cremation ceremony to loving owners.

How Does Pet Cremation Work?

Single pet cremation works similarly to human cremation. The pet is exposed to intense heat which effectively turns the body into dust and dried bone. The remains are placed and process through a cremulator, which breaks down any bone fragments. After the process, other materials are removed mainly by the use of magnets which is when these belonging will be offered back to the family. The ashes will be transferred into a sealed bag and placed inside a plastic bag or box if you have purchased a pet urn, then your cremator will be able to place the ashes inside this for you. You will also produce an individual cremation document detailing the cremation, the creation date and the pets name.

Will my Pet be Cremated on Their Own?

There are 2 types of cremation for your pet you can choose. A communal ceremony, which means the ashes of your pet will be mixed with other animals in a ‘mass’ cremation or if you wish, you can hold a more private service whereby your pet is the sole animal being cremated. This will obviously come at additional costs. If you are planning to leave the ashes at the crematorium, then a communal cremation is probably the best and cheapest option for your needs.
Most crematoriums will let the owner watch the cremation taking place for an additional fee if this helps with the grieving process.

How Long Does the Cremation Take?

Depending on the pet in question, cremation can take anywhere from 30 minutes (for smaller animals) up to 5 hours for the largest of pets, such as Horses. Your crematorium will be able to advise more accurate timings. You won’t have to be present for the whole time, your crematorium will arrange the passing of the ashes to you. The final weight will also greatly depend on the type of animal you are having cremated.
most pet crematoriums will operate via a veterinary and so the ashes may be passed through the vet to you.

How Much Does a Pet Cremation Cost?

The cost of your pet’s cremation will vary depending on a few factors including, whether you are opting for a communal cremation or individual cremation, whether or not you want a casket and also the size and type of pet. We have outlined below the average cost of pet cremation and what you should expect to pay – prices below do not include extras such as caskets or urns.

The average cost to cremate a small pet is £30-£40

How Much Does Cremating a Dog Cost?

The average cost to cremate a small dog is £75-£90
The average cost to cremate a large dog is £90 – £110
For more detailed information, please read our Dog Cremation Cost guide

How Much Does a Cat Cremation Cost?

The average cost of cremating a cat is around £60-£80
For more detailed information, please read our Cat Cremation guide

If you are looking to get a horse cremated, prices will vary, but you should be looking at a cost of around £450-600.

Please note, if you decide to purchase one of our pet urns, we can arrange for the urn to be delivered to your pet crematorium for you.

Choosing a Pet Crematorium

The animal cremation industry is going through a mini-revolution currently. The practice of pet cremation is an unregulated one, but if you look at the pet crematoriums listed by the APPCC, these all adhere to a code of conduct and will ensure a high level of service to you and your beloved pet.

Use our Pet Crematorium Search to find a reputable service provider near you. Always remember to ask as many questions as you like to your crematorium to put your mind at ease.

Recommended Pet Crematoriums

As we have mentioned above, the APPCC offers a guide on the best pet crematoriums in the UK, below we have listed a few that we think are the best for service across the UK, please let us know if you have had exceptional service from a similar crematorium.

Resting Pets
Essex
01277 890009
www.restingpets.co.uk/

Sheffield Pet Crematorium
Sheffield
0114 230 1122
www.sheffieldpetcrematorium.co.uk/

Lakeview Pet Crematorium
Peterborough
01778 382563
www.lakeview-petcrematorium.co.uk

Pet Funeral Services
Flintshire
01352 710500
www.petfuneralservices.co.uk/

Dignity Pet Crematorium
Hook, Hampshire
01252844572
www.dignitypetcrem.co.uk

Prestwood Pet Crematorium
Stourbridge, West Midlands
01384 873738
www.prestwoodpetcrematorium.co.uk/

Balmedie Pet Crematorium
Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
01358 742753
www.balmediepetcrematorium.co.uk

Pets at Rest
Isle of Wight
01983 525335
www.petsatrestisleofwight.co.uk/

Meadow Wood Pet Cemetery
Devon
015488 537785
www.meadowwood.co.uk/

Paws to Rest
Carlisle
01697 472232
www.pawstorest.co.uk/

What To Do With Pet Ashes

This again is down to you. Most pet crematoriums will either offer you the ashes back, in which case you will need to purchase a pet urn, you can take the ashes home in a bag or you can leave the ashes with the crematorium to scatter in their memorial garden. You will also receive a cremation certificate that shows the name and date of cremation, which will be needed if you want to travel with the ashes abroad.
We always recommend making sure the crematorium you are using is legitimate, so please make sure to do some research into the facility before committing to pet cremation.

Pet Cremation and Ashes Laws

The rules and regulations surrounding pet cremation and cemeteries are fairly lax in the UK. To be a fully compliant pet crematory you must be accredited by the APHA (animal and plant health agency) to make sure the standards set out by the government are met.

In terms of laws regarding scattering your pet’s ashes, you are free to do with them as you wish on land that is owned by yourself or similar laws around scattering ashes on the water are also fairly straight forward. We offer some beautiful water urns and scattering tubes suitable for pet ashes. If you want to scatter ashes on land that isn’t yours, we would always recommend seeking permission, but in most cases, this isn’t necessary and as long as you are in a secluded space, scattering pet ashes should be fine. This is also the case if you wanted to bury your furry friend to lay to rest, as long as you aren’t burying your pet in a very public place, you should be ok. Many people like to plant a tree or flower at the point of burial/scattering, if interested, please take a look at our range of Bios Urns.

Pet Loss Support

If you are struggling to cope with the loss of a much-loved pet and friend, please visit the below links for help and advice, there is always someone to speak to at this difficult time.
https://www.aplb.org/
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/1742/losing-a-pet.html

Pet Bereavement Poems

There are a number of poems, eulogies and readings that would provide a loving fit to a fallen pet, below we have copied in a few of our favourites aswell as a couple of sources for further inspiration.

https://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm
https://www.pcsonline.org.uk/poems

A Little Dog Angel

High up in the courts of heaven today
a little dog angel waits;
with the other angels, he will not play,
but he sits alone at the gates.
“For I know my master will come,” says he,
“and when he comes he will call for me.”

The other angels pass him by
As they hurry toward the throne,
And he watches them with a wistful eye
as he sits at the gates alone.
“But I know if I just wait patiently
that someday my master will call for me.”

And his master, down on earth below,
as he sits in his easy chair,
forgets sometimes, and whispers low
to the dog who is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
and dreams that his master’s voice he hears.

And when at last his master waits
outside in the dark and cold,
for the hand of death to open the door,
that leads to those courts of gold,
he will hear a sound through the gathering dark,
a little dog angel’s bark.

A Special Place

You have a special place Dear Lord
that I know you’ll always keep
A special place reserved for dogs
when they quietly fall asleep
With large and airy kennels
and a yard for hiding bones
With maybe a little babbling creek
that chatters over stones.
With wide green fields and flowers
for those who never knew
about running freely under
Your sky of perfect blue.
Lord,I know You keep this Special Place
And so to you I Pray,
For one Special Rottweiler
Who quietly died today
She was full of strength & love
and so very, very wise.
The puppy look she once had
Had long since left her eyes.
She is dearly missed, my Lord
By a very good friend of mine.
She went to join her ancestors
To Your land that is Devine
So, speak to Crimmy softly, please
And give her a warm hello.
She’s a Special gift to you Dear Lord
From Brenda, who loved her so.

I Am Not There

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Forget Me Not

Do not forget
Once I’m gone,
About what has been
Do not forget me
When I’m no longer here
And do not spite me
For leaving
Imprint me in your mind
And your heart
For one day I’ll come
Home to your arms
And I’ll ask you if you’ve forgotten
And if you have,
I’ll leave again,
Only to come back
Once more….
So, Do not forget me.