Private cremation

A private cremation means that your pet will be separately cremated and that the ashes will be returned to you.  A standard cedar urn will be selected by the cremation facility.  However, the crematory also offers different choices of urns ranging from standard to very elaborate.   You may also provide an urn of your own choosing.  (Some of our clients have made their own urns out of ceramics or other material).

Miniature urn pendants and necklaces are also available upon special request.  Some of your pet's ashes can be inserted in the special pendants.

When you choose the private cremation, the ashes will be  hand-delivered to you directly by the cremation service (no third party courier is used).  You will be contacted prior to the delivery to ensure someone is home or that appropriate instructions may be given.  This is why it is very important that you provide us with all your contact information. See Aftercare Arrangements Form.

You will receive a clay paw print compliments of Peaceful Paws with the Private Cremation. 

Individual cremation:

Your pet will be alone in the cremation chamber.  Your pet's ashes will be hand delivered to you by Peaceful Paws just as in the Private Cremation and you will receive a complimentary paw print from Peaceful Paws.

$500

Individual cremation with viewing:

Your pet will be alone in the cremation chamber and you will view your pet going into the cremation chamber.  You may wait until the cremation process is completed and leave Peaceful Paws with your pet's ashes on the same day.  You will also receive an extra complimentary paw print.

$700

Communal cremation

Also referred to as the “General”  or “Group” cremation.   Your pet’s body will be handled in the same manner as in the private cremation right up to the cremation process.  The Communal Cremation means that your pet will be cremated along with other pets and that the ashes will not be returned to you.  The cost is, of course,  less than the private cremation.   The ashes will be scattered at sea.  See Aftercare Arrangements Form.

About Peaceful Paws

The cremation service we use for both the Private and the Communal cremation is Peaceful Paws.  You may visit their website at:  http://www.peacefulpawspet.com.

I chose Peaceful Paws because of their wonderful personal, compassionate and professional service.  I feel they are the best in the area and I completely trust them to care for you and your pet in this difficult moment.  You can be assured that the ashes returned to you will be your pet’s.  You can also be assured that they are respectful and compassionate. 

Ashes

When you receive your pet’s “ashes”, you may be surprised by the appearance.  Cremains is a better word to use than “ashes”.  The word ashes may be misleading due to the fact that the cremains are not factually only a fine grey powder.  The only thing remaining after the intense heat of the cremation process are bone fragments and some organic compounds.  There are no "ashes" left from the flesh.   

You may see different colors in the cremains and this is normal.  There are trace minerals and organic compounds found in the bone fragments.  Typically, cremains are grayish/white but you may find black, red, yellow and orange pigments.  Green "specks" are very common.

After the cremation, and once the cremains cool, the remaining bone fragments are processed (pulverized) in a special machine.  The final result should be the consistency of  gravel (similar to cat litter), depending on the amount of bone fragments (cremains) left.  Care must be taken not to over-process the bone fragments or they turn into an extremely fine powder/dust that blows away. Therefore you may find unprocessed bone fragments in the urn.   It is a balancing act between not leaving large bone fragments and not ending up with too fine a powder.

We find that clients are often surprised at the appearance of the cremains.  Unfortunately, the widely used term  "ash(es)" is a false description of what we are actually left with.  What you are left with are simply bone fragments ("cremains").

Making your own arrangements

You may request that your pet’s remains be left on your premises and you can make your own aftercare arrangements. 

If you are planning on burying your pet, make sure that you inquire about the regulations of the city/town you live in:  some city ordinances prohibit the burial of a pet’s body in your backyard. See:  Aftercare Arrangements Form.

Paw Prints

Home Pet Euthanasia of Southern California offers to make beautiful artistic renditions of your pet's paw print in a resistant material called Polymer Clay.  To view all the different styles and prices, please visit our Clay Paw Prints page.

Prices for the cremation services

For full fee schedule on the cremation services, please visit our Fee Schedule page on this website.  The fees for the cremation (private and communal) include removal of your pet's body from your home, transportation to the cremation facility and the delivery of your pet's ashes directly to your home by the cremation service in the case of the private cremation.