A question about cremation options...

[Jenk]

For those of you who've brought home the cremated remains of a beloved bun, did you opt for the partition cremation or the private cremation?

My husband doesn't want to pay for the private cremation. He has several reasons, including the money we've already spent on vet-med. care this year. He also figures that not many ashes of other animals would mix together due to the partition. And he raises the point that a cremation business could take money for a private cremation and still give a partition one.

I want a private cremation. I suspect it's only for a psychological reason: convincing myself that I'd be getting only Zoe's ashes.


Thank you,

Jenk

 

[missyscove]

We've had 2 dogs, one cat and one rabbit cremated through Calpet, the crematory that both of our animal hospitals worked with. They only offered private cremation although we were also given the option of taking the body with us or turning the body over to the animal hospital for disposal. The hospital I worked for would have these animals cremated in a group cremation, but I'm not sure what company did that cremation.
It is expensive but if it gives you that peace of mind then I say it's totally worth it.

 

[Jenk]

missyscove wrote:

We've had 2 dogs, one cat and one rabbit cremated through Calpet, the crematory that both of our animal hospitals worked with. They only offered private cremation although we were also given the option of taking the body with us or turning the body over to the animal hospital for disposal. The hospital I worked for would have these animals cremated in a group cremation, but I'm not sure what company did that cremation.
It is expensive but if it gives you that peace of mind then I say it's totally worth it

For me, there is a psychological component to the idea that I'd be getting solely Zoe's ashes--even if that weren't the case. But I still hope crematories are honest on that point.

I've already called the vet's office this morning to verify that I want the private cremation. As you've said, it will give me that peace of mind.

 

[kuniklos]

I would go for private cremation for the same reason you suggest. You want the piece of mind that the ashes you are getting are your own pets. I had wanted my dog cremated, but my mother buried her before I could get home (I was away at college). She wanted to hide the fact she had had her put to sleep without telling me.

Our local crematorium was under charges of basically lying about their services and giving group ashes to people, even if they paid for a private one. Under new management they allowed people to be present for cremations and still do. I was driving home as fast as I could to get her and have her cremated with me present. If I didn't have it in me to do it, my fiancee (boyfriend at the time) was willing to see it through for me.

You may want to ask the crematorium if you could be present for the cremation. Many do allow for viewing of pets. Many only allow for the viewing of human relatives over animals, but it is worth looking into. Anything that makes you more comfortable it worth the effort.

 

[Jenk]

kuniklos wrote:

Our local crematorium was under charges of basically lying about their services and giving group ashes to people, even if they paid for a private one. Under new management they allowed people to be present for cremations and still do. I was driving home as fast as I could to get her and have her cremated with me present. If I didn't have it in me to do it, my fiancee (boyfriend at the time) was willing to see it through for me.

I had to figure that some crematoriums pull such shenanigans, which is a real shame.

You may want to ask the crematorium if you could be present for the cremation. Many do allow for viewing of pets. Many only allow for the viewing of human relatives over animals, but it is worth looking into. Anything that makes you more comfortable it worth the effort.

We may opt for a necropsy--only to possibly help my vet and her colleague better help other rabbits. If that's the case, I suspect that a viewing at the crematorium is out of the question; I'd just have to take it on faith that the company is honest.

 

[kuniklos]

My mother at least clipped fur from my dog when she was put to sleep. Perhaps you can clip some fur and put it into a special vessel. I have my dog's fur in a nice little blue glass bottle. Over time I have become glad I have that over cremains. I can still see the texture and color of her lovely fur. I think it would be a nice thing to have in the event of a necropsy.

 

[Jenk]

kuniklos wrote:

My mother at least clipped fur from my dog when she was put to sleep. Perhaps you can clip some fur and put it into a special vessel. I have my dog's fur in a nice little blue glass bottle. Over time I have become glad I have that over cremains. I can still see the texture and color of her lovely fur. I think it would be a nice thing to have in the event of a necropsy.

I've been collecting all of my rabbits' fur and have a little handful of Zoe's. Thank you for suggesting it, though, in case anyone here hasn't considered that comforting option.

My hardest decision will be finding the right vessel for the remains and fur. (I don't assume they'll go into the same one, but I guess that depends on what I find.)

 

[kuniklos]

Take your time to find the perfect on. Even replace them from time to time. I have replaced the fur contained for my dog twice since she has passed. Your rabbit was special, and it will make you feel better putting yourself into this task.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I have done private cremations for my 3 that have passed away. I did take a bit longer to decide with Sophie, but she was my first rabbit death and I wasn't really ready to decide right away. My vet did hold her body for a couple weeks. With Sean and Penelope, I did decide right away.
I have not had any issues with getting it done. There are 2 places in the city (I think), that do only animals. They are pretty much the same price. It took about 3-7 days to get the ashes back, that seemed to depend on when it was done, but it is still pretty quick. It is expensive, about $140 each, but I do think it is worth it for me for the peace of mind.
The other option is a group cremation and you don't get the ashes back.

Another thing I had done was paw prints. They are done at the vet, then sent off to be painted and fired. It takes about a month or longer depending on how busy they are. These are about $50. You can ask your vet if they do it or know of a place that does.

For the ashes, I got the scatter box and I really didn't know what I wanted and the options for the urn didn't really feel as personal to me. I did find some memory type boxes at Michael's and painted them myself. I got the ones that you can put the picture in as well. They are about $5. I have some fur, the ashes and a few other things in each one. The containers that the paw prints came in have a holder and you can take the back off and there is a little space you can put some fur in. So I have some fur in that and in the memory box.