Individual or communal cremation? How to choose

Both options give your pet a respectful farewell. The care, handling and collection are the same. The difference is what happens to the ashes afterwards.

Individual cremation

Your pet is the only animal in the cremation chamber. Their identification stays with them from the moment they are collected, and the ashes are returned to you in an urn with a signed certificate of individual cremation.

Families choose individual cremation when they want to:

• keep their pet’s ashes at home, or in a keepsake
• scatter the ashes somewhere that meant something to them, like a favourite beach or park
• bury the ashes in the garden, or in a planter

Communal cremation

Your pet is cremated together with other pets, and the ashes are scattered in a garden of remembrance. No ashes are returned.

Families choose communal cremation when:

• they find comfort in their pet resting somewhere peaceful, rather than in an urn
• they do not feel the need to keep ashes at home
• they need a lower-cost option

Choosing communal cremation does not mean you loved your pet any less.

Questions that can help you decide

• Would you like something to visit or keep? If so, individual cremation is the way to keep the ashes.
• Would you like to scatter the ashes yourself? That needs individual cremation, as communal ashes are not returned.
• Is cost the deciding factor? Communal cremation costs less. Call us and we will give you both prices, so you can compare.
• Would you like a paw print or another keepsake? Ask us when you call, before the cremation takes place. See our memorial keepsakes.

Still not sure?

That is completely normal. Call us any time and we will explain both options, and their prices, without any pressure.