Do you really get your pet’s ashes back? This is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Dignity Pet Crematorium so we’re going to explain how our individual cremations work to ensure you do get your pet’s ashes back.
Do you get your pets ashes back
Whether you get your pet’s ashes back depends on the type of pet crematorium and cremation service you choose. If you opt for communal cremation, the service commonly offered by vets, your pet will be cremated alongside other animals. This means there is no way to seperate the ashes and they are usually scattered in a communal area.
If you decide to have your pet individually cremated you should be able to get their ashes back, however it’s important to do your research so you use a reputable crematorium. There are many horror stories out there, including this crematorium who returned ashes to owners while their pets were left to rot in a field.
Read our tips on choosing a pet crematorium here.
What is individual pet cremation
We specialise in individual cremations, which means that only one pet is placed into each cremation chamber at a time. No pet is cremated without us gaining permission from the owner to proceed. Each pet is noted down in a log by the cremator including including their name, the owners’ surname, their size, the start time of the cremation and the date.
Once the individual cremation is completed the cremated remains of the pet are removed into a collection tray. This is done using a hearth rake and then a brush dipped in water to ensure that all the remains are collected.
How do you know these are my pet’s ashes
At Dignity we track your pet throughout the entire process. From the moment your pet is placed into a Dignity bed, the paperwork stays with them. Following the cremation the paperwork and ashes are transferred into a container, which is then passed to our ashes team to home into your chosen urn or container. A certificate of authenticity is placed with the ashes, which are then put into a Dignity bag with a copy of the paperwork.
Because we carefully check the paperwork at each stage of the process we ensure that the ashes you receive back are those of your pet. For more information about how the process works please read the complete guide to our working procedures.
The Dignity Promise
To us it’s extremely important that we give you peace of mind that your pet will be looked after with care and respect. This is why we put in place The Dignity Promise.
At Dignity we promise…
- to treat your pet with the utmost care and respect
- to cremate your pet individually
- the ashes you receive are only those of your pet
- to personalise the service for you
What to do with your pet’s ashes
Now that you have received your pet’s ashes it’s up to you to decide what to do with them. Here are some of the more popular options our clients choose:
- Scatter them outdoors
- Bury them using a biodegradable urn
- Display them in your home in a casket or urn
- Turn them into a unique piece of memorial jewellery
If you would like more information about the options available for your pet’s ashes, as well as pet bereavement support services, take a look at our Paws For Thought aftercare leaflet.