How to Choose a Pet Mortuary

Losing a beloved pet may seem like one of the bleakest times in your life--and it can be tough to make decisions while experiencing such sadness. That is why it's important to choose a dependable pet mortuary with professional, caring people that can help provide peace of mind and perhaps even a sense of closure. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right place to handle the aftercare of your cherished family member.

Instructions

1. Look online for local pet mortuaries. Also, many cities have free pet publications that feature ads for pet mortuaries. These publications are great for getting the bigger picture and weighing comparisons on various pet services including mortuaries. Or you may choose to go with a mortuary your vet works with regularly and recommends. If your pet is at the vet's office, they will normally make pick-up arrangements with the mortuary.

2. Depending on whether you would prefer your pet to be cremated or buried may be the first factor to consider. If you choose to have your pet buried, most mortuaries have cemeteries on the premises, however there are certain pet mortuaries that just handle cremations.

3. Determine whether or not you would like a private cremation. There are mortuaries that do both group (community) and private cremations and many that do only private cremations. People who don't plan on keeping their pet's ashes may not mind if their pet is cremated along with other pets.

4. Find out if the mortuary will pick up your pet from the vet or your home and whether there is 24-hour pickup service. Also check if the ashes will be delivered back to your home or if you will need to pick them up (most require you to pick the ashes up).

5. Check on what additional services are offered. Royal Pet Mortuary in the Los Angeles area, for instance, offers in-home euthanasia. Guardian Animal Aftercare is an LA area crematory that is veterinarian owned and operated and offers free bereavement counseling.

6. Decide whether or not you would like to visit the mortuary prior to cremation, view your pet prior to cremation or be present for the cremation process. Find out what the mortuary allows.

7. If your pet will be buried, visit the prospective mortuary/cemetery in person before the burial. Notice how the grounds and gravesites are kept up and how serene the setting is. Make sure the land is safeguarded against being used or sold for other purposes in the future, and establish if it is operating in accordance with the International Association of Pet Cemeteries.

Tips & Warnings

• Cremations are a less expensive option than burials. Cremation fees usually depend on the size and weight of your pet, but are normally very affordable. The average cost for a large dog of 80 lbs., for instance, is in the $200 range.

• As an alternative to taking your pet's ashes home with you, many pet cemeteries offer an area or garden in which you can scatter the ashes or space in their mausoleum to store your pet's urn.

• Many people choose to have one last viewing of their pet at the mortuary prior to the cremation, which may take place the next day or a couple of days later. They feel it gives them a chance to say a final goodbye and a sense of comfort and closure seeing their pet resting peacefully, especially if they chose not to be present for the euthanization at the vet's office. Visiting a peaceful setting with lots of flowers and trees can also provide comfort.

• Many pet mortuaries/cemeteries are nonprofit and offer ways to commemorate your pet and make a donation at the same time. For instance, some will dedicate a permanent tribute brick inscribed with your pet's name for a small donation, and some cemeteries allow you to purchase a memorial bench with your pet's name inscribed on a plaque for a place to rest and meditate while remembering your pet.