You’re searching for a pet cremation company that shows compassion for your departed friend. They were like a family member to you, and putting them to rest is a significant responsibility. You want to make sure they receive the respect they deserve — but it isn’t always easy when you have so many options.
Beyond the support of Agape Pet Services, several other companies offer cremation for family pets. It’s helpful to understand what separates us from a similar business in your region. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, showing you what to look for in a pet cremation company.
Pet Cremation Company Options
The sudden death of a family pet is painful to deal with in the moment. You can’t fully prepare for that kind of tragedy, and even if you were expecting it, moving forward is often stressful. The next steps are unclear, and you might feel hesitant about managing the remains of your dog, cat or horse.
When you find yourself in this situation, you can choose to contact your veterinarian. He or she will explain the essential protocol for preserving your pet until you can secure the proper arrangements. You may have to transport your dog or cat to the vet’s office and move forward from there.
The vet will work with a local pet cremation company to take care of your needs. Of course, this isn’t your only option, and you don’t have to entrust your pet to a company you’re unfamiliar with. If you want to take a more selective approach, you can always reach out to a provider yourself.
The provider will visit your home and take your dog, cat or horse to their crematorium to continue with the process. Experienced companies, like Agape Pet Services, can assist you with the remains of a departed pet whether it’s day or night. We’re here around the clock, seven days a week, whenever you need us.
Once you’ve contacted your company of choice and they’ve helped you with your pet, they’ll remain in touch throughout the rest of the process. You’ll discuss details, examine your options and decide on your next course of action. It may take time, but you’ll eventually settle on something which meets your needs.
However, your situation is slightly different if your pet passes away in the vet’s office. In these situations, the owner usually allows the vet to handle the remains of their dog, cat or horse. The vet takes care of the arrangements with the local pet cremation company, as mentioned earlier.
That’s not to say the owner isn’t involved. You will still participate in the process if this is the route you choose to take. The vet will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision, providing full transparency as you work through the situation and lay your animal to rest.
After you’ve finalized your plan, you’ll have to address the subject of payment. The vet will usually expect the money upfront, but payment arrangements tend to vary from hospital to hospital. You’ll need to talk to your vet about their organization’s policies to learn more.
Then again, you don’t have to delegate these responsibilities if you don’t want to. If you’re in the vet’s office and you’d like to manage the arrangements yourself, it’s as simple as speaking with the veterinary staff. They can tell you the correct way to handle your pet’s body and ensure its safe transportation.
Now that you have a grasp on your options, how can you ensure your pet receives the best treatment possible? What characteristics and services make a pet cremation company stand out?
How to Find the Best Pet Cremation Company
A quick search online will yield millions of results for pet cremation companies, with 10, 15 or 20 in your area alone. It’s a lot to sort through, an additional pressure in an already stressful period of your life. Choosing the right provider should be the least of your worries when you’re enduring the death of a beloved pet.
Fortunately, it’s easy to separate a subpar company from one that deserves your business. You can start by looking at a few key indicators, evaluating the company’s policies, procedures, prices and services.
What Questions to Ask a Pet Cremation Company
1. How Do They Handle the Cremains?
The pet cremation company should show respect for the cremains, whether they’re transporting a dog, cat or heavier cargo, like a horse. For example, Agape Pet Services has a specially designed “Agape Sled” to move a horse without unnecessary tugging, placing it in an enclosed trailer that’s large enough to accommodate a horse of any size. Dogs and cats receive similar treatment, with transportation in high-quality nylon bags.
2. What Is Their Private Cremation Process?
It’s common for pet cremation companies to conduct communal pet cremations where they cremate more than one animal in a session. If you’re interested in a private pet cremation, you should research the company’s policies on that particular type of service. Your options for the memorialization of cremains will change depending on your choice of a communal or private session, so this specific detail is essential to review.
3. How Do They Track Your Pet Through Cremation?
If you decide to select a private session over the communal option, you’ll want to know how the company tracks the cremains. Whether you choose to bury them, scatter them in a favorite spot or keep them at home in a decorative urn, you need assurance that the cremains you receive are from your pet. Some companies, like Agape Pet Services, allow you to attend the cremation and stay with your pet throughout the entire process.
4. Do They Meet a High Standard of Cleanliness?
The crematorium should maintain a high standard of cleanliness, both in public and private areas of the building. It’s a reflection of the company as a whole, the quality of their services and how they manage your pet’s remains throughout the process. You don’t want to walk into the facility and feel uncomfortable with its condition, as they aren’t likely to treat the parts of the building you don’t see with any more respect.
5. Are There Resources for Bereavement Support?
Beyond the state of the crematorium, the company should also offer resources for bereavement support. Moving on from the death of a departed pet isn’t easy, and getting the chance to sit and talk about your feelings with other people can help. A pet cremation company should provide you with information about support groups in the area, guiding you through this difficult time until you’re ready to move on.
6. Do They Offer Private Viewings for Customers?
Some pet owners want a private moment with their departed friend before cremation. They take a few minutes to say goodbye to their dog, cat or horse, providing a sense of closure. A pet cremation company should offer this additional service to their customers, helping them through this painful part of the grieving process by treating their pet as they would a person — with the same dignity and care.
7. Do They Provide Additional Keepsakes?
You might want to celebrate your pet’s life with a small token, a reminder of their importance and lasting presence in your life. Companies like Agape Pet Services offer a variety of keepsakes for interested customers, such as portraits, paw prints, glass art and custom jewelry. You can keep these mementos with you long after your friend has left, reinforcing the fact that they’re never truly gone.
8. Are the Prices Reasonable?
You’d like to give your pet a proper sendoff, but the price of cremation may be lingering at the back of your mind. You may want to know how much the process costs, as well as the payment options of your chosen company. It’s best to search for a pet cremation company within your price range, with affordable services you can reasonably manage on your current budget.
How to “Audit” a Pet Cremation Company
Pet cremation companies will offer a range of similar services, but the quality of these services will differ. It’s crucial to look past the company’s claims and search elsewhere for information. In doing so, you can effectively “audit” the business and see if it’s right for you.
Ultimately, what’s right for you may not be right for someone else. It depends on your specific set of circumstances, how you feel about your situation and what you want to do next. Someone may recommend a company, but you should make your choice on a foundation of research.
So how do you begin the process of auditing a pet cremation company? Here are some best practices for finding a good provider.
1. Look Online for Reviews
Online reviews are an excellent place to start when sorting through your options. A customer’s opinion of a company is often far more accurate than what the business has to say about itself — which is more likely a sales pitch than any kind of realistic representation of the services.
You can check Google, Facebook or a similar site for reviews. A high rating is almost always a reliable indicator of a reputable company. That said, you should look into what their customers have written to search for any particular issues you want to avoid.
2. Sort Through Testimonials
You might struggle to locate reviews for a company you’re interested in, but that’s OK. You can always visit their website to see if they have any testimonials. They’re often lengthier than the average review, containing details which may catch your attention.
Of course, it’s practical to acknowledge that these testimonials are, by their very nature, inherently positive. You aren’t going to find many companies that are willing to post negative reviews on their websites. Still, testimonials provide a glimpse of what you can expect from the process as you continue.
3. Take a Trip to the Facility
A visit to the crematorium will help inform your final decision if you’re willing to make time. It’ll give you a far more realistic perspective of what the company is really like. Their website may seem appealing, but if the building is old and poorly maintained, it’s a good sign their services are lacking.
When you’re at the facility, ask any questions you might have. You might feel slightly hesitant to talk about the cremation process — and that’s perfectly natural — but it’s best to work past those initial feelings and broach the subject. You’ll feel much better when you have a clear understanding.
4. Speak to Your Veterinarian
A call to your local veterinary hospital can also provide insight, and it’ll save you a trip to the crematorium if you’re unsure about the drive. Just reach out to your vet and ask them if any of their clients hired the company for their services. Did they have a positive or negative experience?
Your vet will provide an impartial opinion about the company based on past conversations. You can turn to them as a trustworthy source of information, even if they’re not your primary source of information.
5. Check the Quality of the Website
The quality of a company’s website is often revealing. If it’s clear they’ve spent very little on the site’s design, you might want to choose another provider. An outdated appearance and a confusing layout are red flags when you’re looking for a business you can trust.
Incomplete information is another warning sign to watch for when you’re browsing online. A site may have visual appeal, but if the company hasn’t updated their info for several years, proceed with caution. They might have other issues that aren’t immediately obvious.
6. Field Your Questions to an Expert
You don’t have to visit the crematorium to speak with the people who work there. You can always contact them through their phone number or an online contact form, usually available through the company’s website. The information may fall under the “About Us” tab or another section.
As for the conversation itself, prepare your questions in advance. Write them down on a sheet of paper and have it in front of you to reference if necessary. Just remember the employee you’re talking to is speaking on behalf of the company, and their primary motivation is to get your business.
Contact Agape Pet Services Today
Now that you know what to look for in a pet cremation company, you can make the right choice moving forward. Trust in a reliable, family-owned company like Agape Pet Services for your needs. We’ll walk you through every step of the process, showing your pet the compassion they deserve.
To learn more, contact us over the phone, or contact us online. Our Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina locations are ready to help. Regardless of your situation, we’ll make sure your departed friend receives the same amount of care and attention you’ve always given them.
