Making special time to gather with friends and family, to celebrate your pet’s life and say goodbye, can provide some closure around the loss of your pet.

Whether you plan an event while your pet is still with you, or a ceremony after they’ve passed (or both!), honoring and remembering your life together can help immensely with the healing process.

“Irish Wake,” Celebration of Life Party, Remembrance Ceremony . . . whatever you call it, it’s a time to share stories and photos, food and drink, laughter and tears, and just be together with your loved ones.

These ceremonies can be spiritual in nature, or completely secular. Whatever you believe, whatever you want to do, there’s no wrong way to celebrate your pet’s life.

Your ceremony can also be private – a time you set aside to reflect on your lives together, to gather things that were meaningful to you; perhaps to light a candle, or plant a tree in their memory.

Continuing to celebrate after they’re gone can help keep their memory alive. Mark your calendar for the anniversary of their passing, or their birthday, or adoption day, and do something special.

Euthanasia is a Greek word, meaning “good death.” It’s the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. Your veterinarian will generally administer 2 injections: one to relax your pet and render them unconscious, and one that causes a quick and painless death.

For many people, euthanasia seems appropriate when the pet is unable to get up, refuses food and water, or is visibly in pain. It’s much harder to know what to do when the signs are less obvious. To avoid pain and suffering for your pet, you may be faced with making a decision about euthanasia before these obvious symptoms occur.

Your veterinarian – and team of hospice providers – can help guide your decision and evaluate what’s right for your pet. Some pet owners even choose to consult with an animal communicator to gain insight into what their pet may be feeling, and be confident in their decisions. Three helpful things to consider:

• Is my pet suffering or in pain?

• Has my pet’s quality of life diminished significantly?

• Am I able to provide the care my pet needs?

In-home euthanasia

For many pet owners, this option is ideal. Their pet won’t experience any undue stress by getting into the car and traveling to the vet office, and they can prepare a calm area where their pet is comfortable and secure. You may choose to have a celebration of life before the vet arrives, or gather friends and family for support.

In-home euthanasia has the added benefit of allowing your other family members, children, or pets to experience the death, and accept what is happening. It can be confusing if one of their companions simply never comes home. Being present for the procedure can be an incredibly healing part of the grieving process.

Many in-home euthanasia vets are able to coordinate the next steps as well. Transporting your pet for cremation, creating keepsake paw or nose imprints, and even providing grief counseling can be invaluable services. The peace of mind when choosing this option often far outweighs any additional costs.

If your pet has passed away unexpectedly – whether from an accident, an illness or other event – the first step may be to call your veterinarian. They should be able to give you advice on where you can take your pet, or who to contact to come pick him up.

What if it’s after business hours?

If it happens to be after business hours or over a holiday, and you cannot reach your vet, you will need to take some action in the meantime. This article at The Spruce Pets talks about best practices for handling and storing your pet’s body until he can be transported to your vet office or pet cremation facility.

You may wish to call friends or family members to help you with these steps, as they can provide emotional support during this difficult time.

For professional support:

ASPCA Free 24-Hour Pet Loss Hotline: 877-GRIEF-10 (877-474-3310)

Once your pet has passed away – whether at home or at the vet, on their own or through euthanasia – there’s the question of “What do I do now?” Planning for these decisions ahead of time will help ensure your pet is receiving the proper aftercare that you desire.

Spend as much time with your pet as you need.

You may wish to sit with your pet until you feel ready to let them go. If you’re at home and have other pets, allow them to come close and investigate what’s going on. When animals are aware that their friends have died, it often prevents future confusion; they won’t worry where they are or whether or not they’re coming back.

Storage and transportation

In practical terms, there’s the issue of what to do with the body. If you’ve chosen in-home euthanasia, or you’re at your vet’s office, they will most likely provide that transport service, or you can call a pet cremation facility that may provide a pickup service.

When a pet passes at home, you need to consider whether you want to – or are physically able to – transport them for cremation. Maybe you have a large breed dog that you can’t lift, or you would prefer not to participate in this part of the process.

If it’s after hours or you’re unsure what to do, you can wrap your pet in a blanket and keep them in a cool area until next steps can be taken. If it’s too difficult for you to handle your pet (physically or emotionally) call a friend to help or do it for you.

Call your vet or cremation facility the next morning.

What is Cremation?

During cremation, the pet’s body is placed in a cremation chamber which reaches between 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The intense heat reduces organic matter to dust and dried bones, which is then processed to a sand-like powder. It generally takes an hour or two for most sizes of pets.

Types of Cremation

There are businesses that specialize in pet cremation, or your veterinarian can take care of the arrangements, however, the type of cremation that is provided can vary.

Many states have little or no regulations surrounding pet cremation, so some terminology may be different, or the same term may mean different things from facility to facility. Organizations like the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance are working toward creating common standards, but in the meantime, understanding what will actually happen to your pet with the services you purchase will require some diligence on your part.

Ask your provider to clarify what their services entail, to ensure you know what you’re getting, and how your pet will be treated.

When considering the method that’s right for you, ask yourself:

• How do I want my pet to be handled and cremated?

• Do I want my pet’s ashes returned to me?

• What do you plan to do with the ashes?

If you’ve chosen to keep your pet’s ashes, there are a number of options for holding or displaying them. You may wish to contain them in an urn as a keepsake, bury or scatter them, or use them to create special memorials.

Private Cremation

Private cremation means your pet is the only animal in the cremation unit. It may also be referred to as “alone” or “one-in-one-out.”

When it’s important to you that you receive all your pet’s ashes, and no one else’s, this is the cremation option to choose. Businesses that offer private cremation may pick up your pet for you, allow you to be present during the process, and answer any questions you may have. You might also request a special viewing or ceremony before the cremation, as another way to honor your pet.

Individual Cremation

Other terms for individual cremation are “separated,” or “partitioned” cremation.

While it is more “individualized” than group cremation, in this method, multiple pets are placed in the cremation unit, separated by space or bricks, and your pet’s ashes mixing with another pet’s ashes is unavoidable. This means that while you will receive your pet’s ashes back, there may be ashes from another pet with them, and some of their ashes may be sent home with another pet owner.

Group Cremation

Group, or “communal,” cremation means several pets are placed in the chamber and cremated at the same time. With group cremation, no ashes are returned to the owner.

Not everyone may choose to have their pet cremated, and in those instances, pet burial might be for you.

Home burial

If you want to bury your pet at home, it’s important to check your local laws and regulations to make sure it’s allowed. Try to select a spot that likely won’t be disturbed, (call before you dig, to check for underground utility lines) and consider marking the area with a special plant or a personalized headstone.

For environmental reasons, be sure to only bury your pet in biodegradable materials like wood or cardboard.

Pet Cemeteries

If a home burial is not possible or preferred, there may be companies in your town that offer pet burial services. Talk to your veterinarian about options they might recommend, or look online for “pet cemetery.”

Your city may have a dedicated pet cemetery, some pet cremation businesses may provide this service, or animal rescue shelters, or perhaps even some churches.