Instructions
Look online for local pet mortuaries. Also, many cities have free pet publications that feature ads for pet mortuaries. These publications are great for getting the bigger picture and weighing comparisons on various pet services including mortuaries. Or you may choose to go with a mortuary your vet works with regularly and recommends. If your pet is at the vet's office, they will normally make pick-up arrangements with the mortuary.
Depending on whether you would prefer your pet to be cremated or buried may be the first factor to consider. If you choose to have your pet buried, most mortuaries have cemeteries on the premises, however there are certain pet mortuaries that just handle cremations.
Determine whether or not you would like a private cremation. There are mortuaries that do both group (community) and private cremations and many that do only private cremations. People who don't plan on keeping their pet's ashes may not mind if their pet is cremated along with other pets.
Find out if the mortuary will pick up your pet from the vet or your home and whether there is 24-hour pickup service. Also check if the ashes will be delivered back to your home or if you will need to pick them up (most require you to pick the ashes up).
Check on what additional services are offered. Royal Pet Mortuary in the Los Angeles area, for instance, offers in-home euthanasia. Guardian Animal Aftercare is an LA area crematory that is veterinarian owned and operated and offers free bereavement counseling.
Decide whether or not you would like to visit the mortuary prior to cremation, view your pet prior to cremation or be present for the cremation process. Find out what the mortuary allows.
If your pet will be buried, visit the prospective mortuary/cemetery in person before the burial. Notice how the grounds and gravesites are kept up and how serene the setting is. Make sure the land is safeguarded against being used or sold for other purposes in the future, and establish if it is operating in accordance with the International Association of Pet Cemeteries.
How to Choose a Pet Mortuary
Losing a beloved pet may seem like one of the bleakest times in your life--and it can be tough to make decisions while experiencing such sadness. That is why it's important to choose a dependable pet mortuary with professional, caring people that can help provide peace of mind and perhaps even a sense of closure. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right place to handle the aftercare of your cherished family member.