An unfortunate part of pet ownership is that your furry friend will eventually cross the rainbow bridge. After the passing, you’ll have some hard decisions to make, including whether to bury or cremate your pet. These days, cremation is a popular option due to a variety of factors, including the cost of burying your pet in a pet cemetery and local laws restricting backyard burials.
If you have a beloved dog or cat that is nearing the end of its life, it is important to consider how you plan to handle the remains. If you’re leaning toward cremation, you may wonder how much it will cost. Here are some important factors in pricing.
Cremation Methods
How much you will pay for pet cremation often depends most on the method you choose. There are generally three methods, based on what your local vet or pet crematorium offers.
Private
The most expensive option is a private cremation. In this method, your pet is the only animal in the crematorium, ensuring that his or her ashes do not comingle with other animals’ remains. Many pet owners choose this method because they want to keep their pet’s ashes and they want privacy to mourn and take part in the process as much as possible. Some facilities provide viewing options where pet owners can watch the cremation. Depending on your location, these private services typically range from $175 to $300.
Individual
Also called the partitioned method, individual pet cremation is when your animal is partitioned from other pets that are cremated simultaneously. This allows for each pet’s remains to be as separate as possible, but there is the chance that the ashes may mix. This is a good alternative to a private cremation if you want to keep your pet’s ashes but do not want to spend as much money on the process. Individual cremation usually costs between $50 and $150.
Communal
The most affordable cremation option is the communal method, where your pet is cremated with multiple other animals without being partitioned off. If you choose this option, you will not be able to keep your pet’s ashes, but it typically only costs $30 to $70.
Pet Size
Another factor that may impact the amount you’ll pay for cremation services is the size of your animal. Small dogs and most cats are the least expensive due to the shorter amount of time necessary to cremate them. A large dog will likely cost more because the process takes longer and they require more room in the cremation chamber.
Additional Fees
Some pet cremation facilities have additional fees. If you want to purchase an urn to hold your pet’s ashes, expect to pay extra. You may also have the option to hold a small memorial service which will be an additional cost as well. In some cases, you may pay a fee if you need your pet picked up and transferred to the facility.
Losing a pet can feel like losing a best friend or a beloved family member. Honoring the good memories that you had together is priceless, but it is also important to understand the cost of pet cremation so you can be prepared when it is time to say goodbye.