Understanding Your Pet Aftercare Options

Losing a beloved pet is never easy, and deciding how to care for them after they pass can be overwhelming; these choices are also often made in harmony with the difficult decision about “when it is time”. Understanding your options: cremation, burial, and aquamation can help you make an informed decision that feels right for you and your pet.

Cremation
Cremation is a traditional and widely-used method of pet aftercare. During cremation, your pet’s body is exposed to high temperatures around 2000°F, reducing the organic material to bones. The bones are then pulverized into small fragments and often called "ashes," though we at Eternal Tides find that to be inaccurate. “Cremains” is perhaps a better word for your pet’s remains, and they can be returned to families. Cremation also presents an option of “individual” or “communal” options, and in many cases communal and individual cremation happen at the same time but animal bodies are separated within the machine. The “individual” option allows families to receive your pet's “cremains”, while communal cremation does not.

Burial
Burial is another common choice for pet owners, offering a more traditional way to honor your pet’s memory. You may choose to bury your pet in a pet cemetery or on your own property, depending on local regulations. Burying a pet on your own property can come with legal regulations, but it is also dependent on climate, property ownership, and more. Burial allows for a personal and physical space to visit, mourn, and remember your pet. Some owners find comfort in creating a special marker or headstone, making the resting place a dedicated area for reflection.

Aquamation
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a newer and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. The process uses hot water (200°F) and alkali chemicals to gently break down an animal’s body. After aquamation, bones and a nutrient-dense safe wastewater remain. Like traditional flame-based cremation, bones are then placed in a cremulator; the “cremains” are a finer and often lighter-colored material when compared to “cremains” from traditional cremation. Aquamational also offers individual and communal options; when families choose the individual option, their pet is placed within it’s own stainless steel compartment inside the machine ensuring that the remains returned to the family belong to their animal. Aquamation is environmentally friendly, using around 90% less energy and producing fewer emissions than cremation. For pet owners seeking a sustainable option, aquamation provides a gentle and respectful way to say goodbye.