How Is Pet Cremation Done?

Pet cremation is believed to be the most common form of disposal of a deceased pet's remains. Laws in many states prohibit burying an animal unless it is done in a specially licensed pet cemetery. It is also illegal to dispose of a pet's body in a trash receptacle. Because of these restrictions, pet cremation is likely to be the method of disposal used by veterinarians and animal control departments.

Finding Cremation Services

There are private companies that offer pet cremation services. You can do research online or ask a vet for a referral to these companies. This will allow you to have more control over the process. If you would prefer to be less involved in the decision-making process, a veterinarian or animal hospital can make all of the arrangements for you. They have access to local cremation companies and can arrange for transportation of your pet. The fees for this service vary, and any questions you have should be addressed to the crematorium.

The Cremation Process

The process of cremating a pet is the same as with people. In fact, some companies provide cremation services for people and pets, although not usually at the same facility. The remains of the pet are placed in a cremation oven, which uses extremely high heat to incinerate the corpse. If any bone fragments remain, they are crushed in a ball mill. The ashes are then gathered and disposed of according to the owner's wishes.

Options for Cremations

If you wish to have the ashes of your pet returned to you, you must choose an individual cremation. With this option, only one pet is placed in the cremation chamber at a time so that its remains will be kept separate. If you do not wish to have your pet's ashes returned to you, you can opt for a mass cremation. In this instance, several animals are cremated at one time. The ashes cannot be separated and will be disposed of commercially.