How Much Does Dog Cremation Cost? Our Guide to Laying Your Pet to Rest

“If there is a heaven, it’s certain our animals are to be there. Their lives become so interwoven with our own; it would take more than an archangel to detangle them”- Pam Brown.

Losing a pet is a painful experience that nobody can ever be ready for. We never want to think about it, but we know it will come around sometime because dogs have shorter life spans than humans. So if you are dealing with the soul-crushing experience of losing your dog, please accept our sincere condolences.

When your pet passes, one of the hardest parts is that you still have to handle a few time-sensitive matters even amid this bleak moment. Start by figuring out what to do with your pet’s body, and pet cremation is probably one of your options. Some of the reasons that make cremation a popular choice is that it is convenient and affordable. Let’s look at the average costs of this service and what it entails.

Understanding Dog Cremation Costs

The cost of cremating a dog can vary widely, from $30 to $250. The cost of pet cremation depends on the cremation method and the pet’s size. You may also have to pay for extra costs such as pick-up services and special urns.

Factors That Determine Dog Cremation Costs:

Pet cremation could be a personal choice or a recommendation by your veterinarian. Whatever the reason behind deciding to cremate your pet, you need to factor in the pet cremation cost. And this starts with choosing the way you have your pet cremated.

There are three main methods of pet cremation, which you need to discuss with your cremation service provider:

• Private pet cremation
• Individual pet cremation
• Communal pet cremation

1. Private Cremation

With a private cremation, only your dog’s remains will be in the cremation chamber. So, there are minimal chances of your pet’s remains being mixed. Once the private pet cremation process is completed, the service provider will pulverize the ashes and give them to you. Unfortunately, this method attracts the highest cost.

2. Individual (Divided) Cremation

It is considered a “semi-private” method. Several pets are cremated at the same time, but the animals are kept in separate chambers. So, there is a possibility of cremated remains mixing but not a high one. The exact method of such a divided cremation varies from one crematory to another, and so does the cost. However, individual pet cremation is generally cheaper than private cremation but more expensive than communal cremation.

3. Communal Cremation

If you are looking for a cost-effective way of cremating your dog, then you should opt for communal cremation, where your dog’s body is cremated alongside others because it is the cheapest. The method involves cremating several animals at the same time. Since all the animals are kept in one cremation chamber during a communal cremation, it is impossible to give the owners the dog remains. Therefore, the crematory disposes of the ashes. Some crematoriums scatter the remains in a garden or field dedicated to this purpose.

Pet Cremation Costs by Size

The general rule is that the larger the dog, the more you will spend on pet cremation costs and expenses. So, for example, a Labrador owner will pay more for his dog to be cremated than a Pomeranian. The logic is that large pets take up huge spaces in the chamber, take more time to cremate, and longer to process.

The specific price will depend on where you take your pet to be cremated. Some group weights into classes, such as 10 to 20lbs or 30 to 50 lbs. In other words, there isn’t a specified standard for the exact pet weight ranges, although the cost for cremating large breed dogs will inevitably be higher than small dogs. Therefore, you ought to call many pet cremation providers to get quotes before settling on a particular crematory for your beloved companion.

How Much a Typical Dog Cremation Can Cost

The dog cremation price will vary depending on the size and weight of your dog and the type of cremation you choose – whether that’s a communal or individual cremation or if you opt for a private cremation service. It can also vary from state to state. So, as a rough guide, below are the average dog cremation costs you can expect to pay.

In addition to the actual cost for cremation, you also need to factor in any extras you decide to have, such as urns, memorials, and a pet burial plot.

Additional Cremation Services That Could Affect Your Dog Cremation Cost

Transfer Fees

The core pet cremation costs, whether private or communal, do not include the cost of transferring the dog from the veterinary clinic or home to the crematory. Sometimes the vet may contract with the crematory on pick-up charges. Whether or not such an arrangement exists, you will have to pay for the body’s transport to the crematory. Most service providers can come to your home and pick up your dog at an additional charge, ranging between $50 and $75.

Viewing Fees

If you wish to be present during the cremation, you may have to cough up more money because some crematoriums charge viewing fees. Many pet owners are open to the idea that witnessing helps in the healing process, but it adds to the overall pet cremation service cost.

Cremation Urns

If you opt for a private pet cremation service or the individual cremation method, you will undoubtedly require a container to put the ashes. You don’t have to buy a special urn, but many pet owners choose to get one in honor of their furry friends. You will find an array of urns from the pet cremation service company. They vary in price, quality, and specifications, so you are sure to find one that suits your needs.

Memorials

Once you have the remains, you are at liberty to decide what to do with them. If you choose a pet burial service, you might fancy a dog memorial stone marker. It can be a large garden stone or a simple granite plaque. Of course, you can also go for the conventional upright memorial marker.

Mausoleum Niches

If you reside in a populated area, you can consider laying your dog’s ashes to rest in a mausoleum or niche, which can be found at a local pet cemetery. Therefore, you ought to pay for the area you will be burying your beloved canine friend.

Burial Plots

Some crematoriums and cemeteries offer packages that include burial plots in a pet cemetery. The cost of using a pet cemetery relies on the size of the space you wish to place your beloved pet’s ashes. However, you may have to pay for the marker for your dog’s plot in the pet cemetery separately.

The Dog Cremation Process – What to Expect

Many pet owners are hesitant about the pet cremation process, which is understandable because it is a relatively new option compared to burials. That is why you ought to familiarize yourself with the process to know what to expect.

Start by Contacting a Local Pet Crematorium

You can make this call when your dog passes away. However, if your pet has been suffering from a severe illness or is of age, you can inquire about pet crematoriums in advance. This will save you the agony of planning for your dog’s cremation while grieving.

The staff at the crematorium will take you through their cremation services and the procedure, explaining the different available options. For instance, there are several pet cremation methods and ash preparation procedures. After you decide on the cremation services you require and schedule an appointment, you can pay for the staff to pick up your deceased pet from the vet’s office or your home.

The Staff Will Place Your Dog in the Cremation Unit

Depending on the pet cremation you choose, your dog may be placed alone in the cremation chamber or with other pets. The staff will turn on the machine, and it will attain temperatures ranging between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Such temperatures can vaporize your pet’s remains, leaving behind dust and small bone pieces.

They Will Remove Inorganic Materials from the Ash

Before handing over the ash to you or sprinkling it in the garden (depending on the type of cremation you chose), the staff will remove inorganic materials from the ash. This includes things like collars, microchip implants, and surgical pins. Some crematories do this by hand, while others use magnets to expedite the process.

The Pieces of Bone are Then Crushed Further

The small pieces of bone are ground to obtain a uniform texture of the ash.

The Remains are Put in a Container and Returned to You

If you have chosen a private or individual cremation, the staff will place the ashes in a pot and hand it over to you. As for communal cremation, the ashes are disposed of, probably in a garden, as agreed earlier. The type of container they put the ashes in depends on personal preferences and the particular crematory. If you have purchased an urn, you can ask them to put the remains in it.

The pet cremation process is often over in a few hours, and you can pick up the dog’s remains on the same day.

You may find our article on how to cope with the loss of a pet helpful.

Final Thoughts

Losing your beloved dog can be a distressing and stressful time. This guide is intended to help relieve the pressure of making crucial decisions during times of grief on how you want to say goodbye to your beloved four-legged friend. So, if you are experiencing loss at this time or have previously, we offer our sincere condolences.

Sources:

1. Dr. Patty Khuly VMD, On Private Pet Cremation, Vetstreet