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All Articles & Guides / Pet Loss / Understanding Pet Cremation Costs

Understanding Pet Cremation Costs

After the sudden loss of a pet, deciding what to do with the remains can be difficult. Some people choose to bury a pet in the backyard or in a pet cemetery, while others choose to cremate their pet. It’s important to know the costs associate with different methods and what you should expect to pay in pet cremation costs.

The average pet cremation cost can vary considerably, ranging from around $30 for a small animal communal cremation to $250 or more for a large animal’s individual cremation. Pet cremation fees typically vary according to the size of your pet and the cremation method. You may also pay additional fees for pick-up services and a special urn or keepsake box.

Your veterinarian may recommend a pet cremation service, or he or she may offer to handle the cremation planning for you. If you’d prefer to take care of the process yourself, be sure to let your vet know. You’ll need to contact the crematorium yourself and arrange for the animal to be picked up and transferred.

Engraved plaque with dog.

Pet Cremation Process

No matter which method you choose, your pet will be placed in a cremation unit that heats up to more than 1,400° Fahrenheit. The body will stay in the unit from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more, depending on the size of your pet. The remains are then removed and pulverized into small fragments. Depending on the type of cremation you choose, you may then receive the ashes in a container to scatter or store in an urn.

Types of Pet Cremation Methods

There are three types of pet cremation:

  • Communal or Comingled
  • Individual or Partitioned
  • Private

Communal Pet Cremation

If you’re trying to keep your animal cremation cost low, then communal cremation is typically your most affordable option. On average, communal pet cremation costs $30-$70. This method involves cremating multiple animals together at one time. Because the animals are not separated during this process, it is not possible to return the cremains to any individual owner. Instead, the crematory disposes of the ashes. Some pet crematoriums scatter the cremains in a local field or garden dedicated to this purpose.

Individual Pet Cremation Cost

More expensive than communal cremation, the individual or “semi-private” method still involves cremating several pets at the same time. In this case, however, the animals are kept separate, and it is often possible to return the cremains to the owner. The exact methods of individual cremation vary by pet crematory, as do the individual pet cremation cost.

While the animal remains are kept separate in individual cremation, there are cases in which the cremains will experience some degree of mixing. This is difficult to prevent, but many facilities do their best to ensure that each pet’s remains can be identified and returned.

Private Pet Cremation

The method with the highest pet cremation cost, private cremation means that only your pet will be in the cremation chamber, and there is little or no risk that the cremains will be mixed. Once the cremation is complete, the ashes are pulverized and returned to the owner.

Woman rememebring her past dog.

Pet Cremation Cost by Size

Generally speaking, the larger your pet, the higher your pet cremation cost. You’re likely to pay more to cremate a Labrador Retriever than you will for a Pomeranian. Larger pets take up more space in the cremation chamber, take longer to cremate, and involve more after cremation processing.

Depending on where you have your pet cremated, the price ranges can vary. Crematories will often group pets into weight classes, such as 1 – 20 lbs. or 30 – 60 lbs. There is not a set standard for exact weight ranges or the cost of pet cremation in each range. It’s a good idea to call around to several services for price quotes. Be prepared to tell the crematory the weight of your pet and whether you want the ashes returned to you.

Here is an example of price ranges for private cremation from a pet burial and pet cremation service in Indianapolis, IN:

Pet WeightPrivate Animal Cremation CostPet Examples
1 - 30 lbs.$150.00 - 175.00Hamsters, Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hedgehogs, Parrots, Parakeets, Cockatiels, Mice, Rats, Turtles, Bearded Dragons, Iguanas, Snakes, and rabbits; most cats; small dogs, such as the American Cocker Spaniel and Pomeranian
30 – 60 lbs.$200.00Medium size dogs, such as a Basset Hound, Border Collie, and Standard Poodle
61 – 90 lbs.$225.00Medium-large dogs, including the Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, and Golden Retriever
91 – 120 lbs.$250.00Large dogs, including the Rottweiler, Scottish Deerhound  Bloodhound and ; Pot Bellied Pigs, Goats, Sheep
Over 120 lbs.price variesVery large dogs, like Saint Bernards and Tibetan Mastiffs; Horses, Alpacas and Llamas

Dog Cremation

How Much Does it Cost to Cremate a Dog?

The average cost to cremate a dog can vary depending on the size of your dog, your location, and the method preferred. It may cost between $50 and $150 for small dogs like Chihuahuas, or as much as $250 and more for large dogs like St Bernards and Tibetan Mastiffs.

How much it costs to cremate a dog can also change depending on if local crematoriums work with shelters or other pet service companies to offer low-cost pet cremation costs.

How Do They Cremate Dogs?

As mentioned above, dogs can be cremated privately, individually, or communally. Dogs aren’t called man’s best friend for no reason. They hold a special place in our hearts so if you want your dogs’ ashes separated from others, a private dog cremation will be the best way to ensure you receive only your pets’ ashes. If you choose an individual, or partitioned dog cremation, your animal will enter the cremation chamber with others and there may be some co-mixing. Pet ashes can then be taken home and transferred into a custom urn or even into a piece of memorial jewelry.

Dog Cremation Cost by Breed Weight

Dog WeightPrivate Dog Cremation CostDog Breeds by Typical Size
1 – 30 lbs.$175.00Chihuahua, Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Miniature Poodle, Pug, West Highland Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Beagle, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Bichon Frises
30 – 60 lbs.$200.00American Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Corgi, Shar Pei, Bichon Frises
61 – 90 lbs.$225.00Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepard, and Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Standard Poodle
91 – 120 lbs.$250.00Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, Greyhound, Old English Bulldog, Tibetan Mastiff, Bloodhound, Bouvier des Flandres, Rottweiler
Over 120 lbs.price variesSaint Bernard, Alaskan Malamute, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Boerboel, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhound

The larger the dog, the more expensive it will be since they will require more room in the chamber and more time to process. Transportation may also be provided for an additional cost. Usually, transfer fees range from $50 and $75

Dog memorial items.

How Much Does it Cost to Cremate a Cat?

Typically, an individual cat cremation is typically around $80-$150, although communal cremation can cost less. Cat cremation prices are typically the same regardless of breed or size. By choosing to cremate your cat with other pets, the charges could be as low as $30. However, many pet owners choose private cremation for their beloved kitty at a higher cost, to ensure that all cremated ashes belong to only one cat.

Bronze cat in basket cremation urn.

Additional Costs of Pet Cremation

In addition to the actual pet cremation cost, there are other services that can add to your final bill. Many crematories charge an additional fee to pick up your deceased pet from the veterinarian or your home. There may also be a charge to have your pet cremains delivered to you after the cremation. While some pet crematories will allow you to witness the cremation, they may charge a fee. You’ll also need to pay for any urn that you buy from the facility, although most offer a basic urn box at no extra charge. You might prefer to purchase a pet urn that can be personalized or engraved which will make a lovely tribute to honor your pet.

What To Do With Pet Ashes

Many consider pets a part of the family and after they pass, honoring them in a special way through a dedicated memorial can be a great way to say goodbye.

Scattering Ashes Ceremony For Pets

When planning what to do with dog ashes, consider some of your favorite memories. Did you enjoy hiking or camping with your dog? If they loved spending time in the outdoors you can have a scattering ashes ceremony at their favorite spot. Consider checking laws and regulations of public land before you decide what to do with pet ashes since different areas may or may not permit this.

Create a Pet Memorial Garden

If you don’t want to scatter your pet's ashes in a public place, find a spot in your yard to form a memorial garden. You can choose to scatter ashes or even bury your pet and create a peaceful outdoor space as a tribute. Customize a pet grave marker or plant some flowers and a bench to give you and your family a place to sit and reminisce or grieve if needed.

Customize a Keepsake

Once your pet has been cremated, you can store their ashes in an urn, or even consider transitioning a portion of the ashes into pet memorial jewelry so each member of your family can keep their beloved pet close to their heart. Even selecting a unique urn for your pet’s ashes can be a healing process.

Perform a Water Burial

If your pet loved water, you could hold a ceremony from a boat or even kayak out on the water. As long as you have a biodegradable urn and check your local regulations, a water burial can be a peaceful and beautiful way to say goodbye to a beloved pet.

These are just a few ideas of what to do with pet ashes to honor your furry, feathery, or scaley friend and keep them as a treasured memory.

Outdoor pet memorial stone in garden.

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