The Practical Perks of Mobile Pet Cremation

What happens when your pet dies at home

Our pets are with us through good times and bad, and when we let them into our homes and our hearts, they become important members of our family. However, our pets will almost certainly pass before we do, as they have far shorter lifespans than human beings. 

The death of a pet is always an incredibly sad time and when it happens, you might find that you are confused and do not know what to do. This is because while we often envision the death of a pet in a veterinarian’s office, sometimes the pet might pass unexpectedly, or after a long illness or old age, at home. 

What to expect when your pet dies at home

If a pet dies at home, here are following actions that you may wish to take:

Calling a friend for emotional support

The death of a pet is like losing a close member of the family, and you will most probably need to have a loved one close by for emotional support as you mourn your pet. Also, it is good to have someone you can trust to assist in handling the pet’s remains. This is especially true if you do not believe that you will be capable of dealing with the pet’s remains and arranging what comes next on your own.

Store the pet’s body in a cool place while you make your arrangements

Keep the pet’s body cool and ensure that it is not lying on carpet or a sofa.

1. 1. The pet’s body will begin to decompose immediately after the death of the pet. It is important to call the vet or a pet crematorium as soon as possible so that the pet’s body can be properly handled. However, sometimes it might be out of the vet’s office hours or the pet crematorium might take some time to reach you. 
   2. In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, decomposition will set in rapidly and the body will soon begin to give off a smell. If you cannot immediately get to the vet or the pet crematorium, it is advisable to quickly take the following steps to prepare and handle the remains yourself:
   3. Wear latex gloves while handling the body of the pet. When the pet dies, bodily fluids are often released from the pet’s body. It is advisable to gently clean the orifices of the pet’s body with a warm wet cloth.
   4. Ensure that the pet’s body is not on a carpeted or upholstered surface. This is because during the decomposition process, some fluids will be released from the pet’s body and this will stain the surface that they are in contact with.
   5. Put the pet’s body into a black plastic bag, you might wish to double-bag the body. After this, you should place the body on a cool surface, like a concrete or tiled floor or a refrigerator.
   6. Call a mobile pet crematorium
      • You might face challenges in bringing the pet’s body to the vet or a pet crematorium, especially if you rely on public transport to get around. As such, calling a mobile pet crematorium is the best way to respectfully handle your pet’s remains in a timely manner. 
      • At Pets Afterlife, mobile pet crematorium is one of our services for bereaved pet owners. We understand that it is of paramount importance for pet owners to know that their pet is in a tranquil and serene place, and we provide just that at every step of the way. 

How does our mobile pet crematorium service work?

1. Contact the pet crematorium

The first step is for you to contact the pet crematorium and schedule an appointment to cremate your pet. During this first call, you will also arrange for the pick-up of your pet’s remains at your preferred location (usually the home or the vet’s office). 

Before the cremation takes place, we will clean your pet’s body and store it in a refrigerated cooler. 

2. The cremation process

The next part of the process is the cremation of your pet’s body. During cremation, the pet’s body will be transformed into ash and dried bones at a temperature ranging from 760 ℃ to 990 ℃. Cremation usually takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours to complete. Many pet owners have questions about whether or not they will be allowed to attend the cremation service and if they will be able to retain the ashes of their pet. Please refer to this article for a more in-depth look at which type of pet cremation is suitable for your needs. But to summarize that article, the main point is that there are three types of cremation: communal, individual, and private (communal is the most affordable and private is the most expensive). Communal cremations do not allow you to attend and retaining the ashes is not possible. Individual cremations allow the retention of ashes but attending the cremation is not possible. Lastly, private cremation allows for attending the service and retention of ashes. 

3. Sea scattering or keeping in an urn

The final stage is pulverization of bone fragments. In this process, the bone fragments will be turned into fine gray particles, and along with the ashes (from the other organic matter from your pet’s body) can be disposed of by scattering in the sea, or, if you prefer, will be returned to you. 

If you would like to hold on to your pet’s ashes, we have a selection of beautiful pet urns where your pet can rest.

Conclusion

Pet loss is always a very sad, possibly even traumatic, incident in the life of a pet owner. However, please take the time and space to grieve. Eventually, the happier memories of your pet will emerge and remain with you forever.