Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re considering cremation as final care for your pet, this informative page is the right place to start. It includes an overview of the process and explains your cremation options.

The process used to cremate pets is the same exact process used for human cremation. Cremation is a form of disposition that uses heat to transform your pet’s physical remains to its basic elements. Sometimes these are referred to as “ashes”, or “cremains” –a word blended from “cremated remains”.

Most pet cremation providers offer two types of cremation; Fox & Weeks is the only organization to offer three types of pet cremation services.

Unlike the human cremation profession, there is very little or no regulation when it comes to pet cremations. Thus, different providers might be using the same terminology but for different types of cremation services. It is very important to understand what type of cremation you are receiving, so please read the following carefully!

• A “Private“ cremation is a cremation procedure during which only one animal’s body is present in the cremation chamber during the cremation process and the cremated remains of the pet are to be returned to its owner.
• A “Semi-Private” (commonly referred to as “Individual or Partioned or Segregated Cremation”) is a cremation procedure during which more than one animal’s body is present in the cremation chamber and cremated at the same time. This is the cremation process that has been used for decades by the vast majority of pet cremation providers. The vast majority of pet cremation providers do not use any means of physical barrier between pets. The lack of physical barriers can and will lead to significant co-mingling of pet’s cremated remains. Unfortunately, many people and many veterinarians over the years and still to this day have been mis-lead by the term “Individual Cremation” as it denotes only one pet being cremated at a time. This is not the case with this type of cremation and use of terminology!
  
  Be rest assured that Pet Passages, the leader in the pet loss profession, has designed, developed and utilizes it own patent pending stainless steel dividers between pets and has coined the term “Semi-Private Cremation” to help avoid confusion. Please note: Due to a number of factors and by virtue of multiple pets being cremated within the same chamber, active co-mingling of cremated remains can occur but is significantly reduced if not eliminated.
• A “Communal” (or Batch”) is a cremation procedure where multiple pets are cremated together without any form of physical barrier. These co-mingled cremated remains are not returned to the owners.

Because of the lack of regulation, it is important for you to ask your pet cremation provider what they mean when they use the term “individual cremation”.

We realize that each family has their own unique set of wishes when it comes to memorializing their pet. Our staff will work with your family to tailor a distinctive pet cremation a private family goodbye, or a memorial service to meet all of your needs.

Since our pet funeral directors control the entire process, we can ensure that your pet’s cremated remains will be available for return much faster than other providers, typically within days of your pet’s passage. We guarantee that your pet will be treated with dignity and respect and we will care for your companion pet with the same reverence as we would treat any other member of your family.