Category Archives: Pet Loss Blog

Being Present for Pet Cremations Pet Cremations, Saying goodbye to our pets Some of the last moments we remember with our loved ones can feel like an immense haze.  Our thoughts tend to race miles per minute, while we try to process information and cremation options.  We want to make the best choices while being mindful that these are our last moments with our furry loved one. In the blink of an eye, our cherished memories become filled with blurred tears and thoughts of how and where things may have gone wrong.  Although we all know that our furry friends someday must cross the Rainbow Bridge, no amount of time or awareness can prepare us for that dreaded day. Our maternal and paternal instincts refuse to accept that we unfortunately must walk away empty handed, without our loved one. Sometimes all we need is to be able to  say our proper goodbyes before their final send off over the Rainbow Bridge.  Witness and Viewing appointments Witnessed Pet Cremations and Viewings  are popular services that are offered directly through Pet Meadow. You may let your local animal clinic or facility know that you’re possibly interested in these services during the time of your euthanasia appointment.  Witnessed Cremations and Viewings at Pet Meadow provide families with reassurance as well as closure. These services provide families a chance to have a memorial service for their loved one. These services are only available by appointment, and the room is reserved for an additional cost. Families are able to visit our grounds and offices to build a better understanding of what we do at Pet Meadow for our furry companions. The initial sit down, or phone call with our Bereavement Consultants provides a formal approach, and ensures that we provide each family with the right memorial options for them. We understand that every family is different and this is a custom experience for each. Viewing Appointment Our Private viewing rooms let families and friends gather with their pet to spend time and commemorate them, much like a human wake. Families are encouraged to bring any special toys, treats or items that they would like their furry friends to be sent over the Rainbow bridge with.  Pet siblings are also welcome. Families can grieve privately and uninterrupted, and develop their own sense of closure. Many times, the viewing service itself is enough to soothe one’s mourning process but other times families need more.  Witness Cremation Attached to our private viewing room is a single crematory chamber that is used to conduct our Private Cremation. A glass window that divides the two rooms provides a general view of the cremation area. If they choose, families can witness their pet enter the cremation chamber to ensure that their pet is being cremated completely by themselves.  This special service is set up for families to view a true private cremation. The room is designed for families to grieve comfortably together.  Once the cremation has begun, we allow families to wait in the viewing room from start to finish while the viewing room window remains open. The duration of the Witness appointment varies on the weight and size of the pet.  Families are able to take their loved one’s home the day of the appointment or we can hand deliver the pet’s remains back to the veterinary hospital.  For many families these services are a means of protecting and accompanying their loved ones across the Rainbow Bridge.  Private Cremation We understand that witness appointments are not for everyone. For many families, knowing this is an option is comfort enough and they do not need the extra visitation. Their pets move through our process and still receive a true private cremation (if that was the service selected). We do not provide Individual cremations where your pet shares a chamber with other pets. Each pet is cremated by themselves in their own single set chamber.  Please see: for more information about the difference between Private and Individual cremation. Some families are fortunate enough that their last moments with their pet were peaceful, and they already have their sense of closure. If you do not choose not to come in for a final visitation, you can still be sure that your pet will be cared for with dignity and respect.  Pet Meadow is here for you The grieving process can be long. But rest assured, those hazy memories eventually become clearer, our hearts begin to mend, and day by day things do get better. Whether it’s with a Witness or Viewing appointment, phone calls or email, Pet Meadow is there to provide you with peace of mind at every stage of the cremation process. Please never hesitate to reach out to us. Our phone lines are open Monday-Saturday from 9am to 5pm  Allyssa Gonzalez Pet Bereavement Specialist

Pet Cremations, Types of Services After Care Options Your pet is a beloved member of your family. When their time comes to pass on and cross the Rainbow Bridge, it can be hard to decide what your next step for aftercare is going to be. Cremation can be a very logical choice. It allows for you to be able to bring your pet’s cremated remains, or “cremains”, back home to be kept safe with you. Some people have decided that they want their pet’s cremains to be buried with them when their time comes. Other families prefer to scatter the cremains at a pet’s favorite place to play. Cremation also may be preferable if you live in an area where burial of your pet is prohibited. If you live somewhere with no land, or if you are renting your space, you may not have the option for home burial. Finding a pet cemetery near you is also a good option.  One thing to keep in mind when burying is if you decide to one day move away from the area.  If you do choose a pet cemetery be sure that it is Deed Restricted like Pet Meadow Hamilton. This deed restriction will ensure that the land will always be a pet cemetery, and your loved ones resting place is protected. Cremation is the most flexible option. With cremation, families have the peace of knowing that when they do move to another home, they can take their beloved pet with them.  Types of Pet Cremation There are important questions to ask when considering cremation. Your veterinarian may work with a crematory service that can provide the aftercare services for you.  Keep in mind that you may  choose to work with a different company if you would like.  It is a common request and Veterinarians are used to making accomodations for you.  If your pet passes away at home and you do not have a primary veterinarian to consult, you most likely have a pet crematory near you that can help you during this difficult time. It is important to do  research regarding that facility to make sure that they have the proper tracking and handling methods in place to ensure your pet is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. It is our recommendation that you choose a crematory that has been accredited by the IAOPC.  This is a reputable cremation company that you can trust. You can search for accredited crematories in your area on their website using this link. Using an accredited facility is the easiest way to ensure the crematory meets the industry’s standards. There are different types of pet cremation services, and it is crucial to know which services the crematory provides. The three types of pet cremation services are “Individual” or Segregated” cremation, “Private” cremation, and “Communal” or “Group” cremation. It is important to know the differences between the different cremation types so that you can make an informed decision and choose the service that best suits your family’s needs.  Individual or Segregated Cremation An Individual or Segregated cremation can be achieved by placing multiple pets into a single chamber, and separating them using trays, bricks, or space. Some crematories use human machines that have been permitted for pet use. Each pet’s location in the machine is tracked and documented. Each pet’s cremated remains are removed from the machine one at a time. During the cremation process, shifting and adjusting can occur. There is no way to prevent this entirely, and there is no way to see exactly what is happening inside the machine as it happens. As a result, commingling of cremains can occur without the crematory operator’s knowledge.  Private Cremation, or Ashes Back A “Private” cremation can only be achieved by cremating one pet completely by themselves in their very own chamber. Because the pet is completely alone during the entire cremation process, it can be guaranteed that all of the cremains coming out of that chamber belong to the same pet. Providing a Private cremation is the only way to be sure that a family receives their pet and only their pet’s cremains back.  At Pet Meadow, we know it’s important for the cremation process to be accurate and reliable, which is why we provide Private Cremations. Our crematory is specifically designed to cremate pets. Each chamber is completely separate from each other to ensure no commingling occurs.  Communal or Group A Communal or Group cremation is achieved when multiple pets are placed into the same chamber and cremated together. Once the cremation process has been completed, all of the cremains are removed together from the chamber. Family members do not receive any cremains back.  It is important to note that owners can still have keepsakes made of their pet even if communal is chosen. Different facilities have their own ways of providing a final disposition of communal cremains. Some of these methods include scattering or burial, but it is very important to ask your provider where the cremains will end up for their final resting place.  At Pet Meadow, we scatter our cremains on our cemetery grounds in Hamilton. We are a Deed restricted cemetery.  Families find comfort knowing that their pet is alongside other beloved pets on private grounds.  Losing your beloved pet is never easy. It is important to be informed of the different aftercare options so that when the time comes, you know that your pet is in good hands and you have chosen the service that best fits your needs. Sydney Zimmer Pet Bereavement Consultant