Is there cremation for dogs and cats?

Those who have pets know that the affection and love they provide make them not just pets but part of the family. Recognized as a son or sibling by those who lived with them, the animal caused much distress after its death, prompting its family to find special ways to say goodbye—and today, cremations of dogs and cats have become a preferred way to lose a beloved companion.

Although giving a dignified farewell to pets is one of the many options, cremation of dogs and cats is not always an option for owners of deceased animals; because, in the case of many infectious diseases, it is the best option for animals to be treated with respect, also ensuring the end of the spread of problems affecting other animals or people.

Looking for a cemetery or crematorium?

Yes, there is cremation for dogs and cats, so we must consider that currently, most pet owners spare no effort to honor their pets during this sad farewell. A growing number of institutions are emerging in the country dedicated to organizing funerals, burials, and pet cremations—more options and conveniences for pet owners during this delicate and emotional period.

Read below why cremation of dogs and cats is becoming more popular among pet owners and find out when the process is best for the deceased animal:

When to cremate your four-legged friend?

For diseases with a high rate of contamination and zoonoses—such as sporotrichosis, toxoplasmosis, rabies, and leptospirosis—cremation of deceased animals is clearly the best option. Since these problems can spread even after the death of animals (contaminating the land and soil around pet burials), cremation of dogs and cats with these diseases can be a solution to end transmission outbreaks.

However, that is not the only reason many owners choose cremation over burial, and the reason is much simpler than you might imagine: to escape pain. In most cases, the pain of the owner of a deceased pet is already so great that they do not want to expose themselves to another painful situation, such as seeing their dog or kitten buried.

With that, many people end up opting for cremation—a small ceremony at first—as the most appropriate solution; giving pets a dignified farewell without causing more pain to their loved ones.

Another valid reason for this is that traditional cemeteries (specialized in burying humans) do not allow animals to be buried—requiring animal owners to find other places to honor their pets—even if they have a tombstone.

The cemetery in question. According to reports in the Brazilian media, a bill allowing the burial of animals in human cemeteries was defeated late last year—according to the data, this rejection was mainly at the request of the Church.

However, religious issues aside, it is already conceivable that this type of project will not materialize—remember, the number of human deaths is already high, as is the number of animal deaths, so there is almost no extra space for both people and animals to be buried in the same place.

How are cremations of dogs and cats carried out?

Still answering the question “Is there cremation for dogs and cats,” we must mention that most owners of deceased animals who choose to cremate their animals instead of burying them are avoiding the ceremony because it causes them more pain than the loss of a pet already has.

However, this does not mean that elaborate ceremonies for pets can be excluded from the cremation process, and each institution dedicated to these services has a different package of farewell ceremony for animals.

It is worth remembering that if it is not in the owner’s interest to hire a specialized company, it is also possible to arrange for the cremation of your dog or cat by contacting your city hall or veterinary clinic—they collect the carcasses of the animals and forward them to the cremation process.

However, if the owner wishes a more elaborate farewell and brings home the ashes of the deceased animal, seeking a specialized establishment is the best option.

Although not all states have differentiated options for these services, it is already easy to find companies in the industry in large cities such as São Paulo, Curitiba, and Rio de Janeiro.

These crematoriums have individual crematoriums that provide this service to all types of animals, from dogs and cats to pigs, lions, and turtles.

To create a special space in your home for the memory of the animal, the company ensures the return of the pet’s ashes to the owner—and also offers various types of urns.

The materials, styles, and types of urns used to store the ashes of animals deserve a separate chapter and, in addition to being found in more traditional models, can also be personalized (depending on the institution’s service list) or even ecological, as there are special ones.

The urn can be placed in the environment and help grow various types of flowers along with the ashes of your pet—an enduring tribute to your four-legged friend.

In most establishments specializing in pet funerals, the most basic package—with prices ranging from 600 reais to 3,000 reais—includes the removal of the animal from the home or veterinary clinic, cremation, removal of the animal’s ashes, and return of the ashes to the owner (in a basic urn) and farewell ceremony.

In most cases, the price charged by companies depends on the weight and size of the animal to be cremated, so packages for giant dogs and cats tend to be the most expensive.

Depending on the availability of space, many companies in the industry already have vertical cemeteries—where owners can keep their animals as posthumous tributes or even bury them, if the owner so desires.

In some companies, there is also the option of cremating your pet in bulk—in these cases, the animal’s ashes are earmarked for recycling.

In addition to the most basic funeral services, several companies in the industry already offer pet owners the opportunity to immortalize a part of them in jewelry—that can be transformed into a traditional ring, for example, or attached to it. Put the animal’s ashes in a decorative urn.

In most cases, the client will choose a gemstone—such as a diamond—and the company will remove a strand of hair from the animal before it is cremated, which will be integrated into the gemstone adorning the client’s chosen ring or urn.

The owner keeps a small part of the pet with them forever.

With more fans and more companies entirely dedicated to pet burials, cremations, and wakes, the service should have spread throughout the country in no time.

If you liked the article “Is there cremation for dogs and cats,” share it with everyone you know and know who are pet caregivers, as this is a kindness that your pet receives, even if it is no longer with you physically, think about it.