Final Resting for Your Pet

Body care options are important to consider in advance. Choice to consider are home burial, burial at a pet cemetery, cremation arranged by the owner, or cremation arranged by the veterinarian. Special arrangements are best made in advance.

I’m currently working with Pet Passages out of Southbury, CT. Once the cremation is complete, you can schedule a pick-up day and time with the crematorium (they are open Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM). You can pick up the ashes from my home in Sherman, CT or you can have the ashes shipped to you for an additional fee of $50-$75.

Burial of animal bodies is not permitted in urban and suburban areas.

Burial should only be performed in accordance with local and state laws and with the landlord’s authorization.

There are no official guidelines for the proper disposal of dead animals. To protect human, animal, and environmental health, please follow these guidelines:

1. When digging a hole, ensure the top of the body is covered with at least 2 feet of earth. If this depth is not attainable, it is important to cover the hole with a large rock or wire to prevent digging by wildlife. Note that:
   1. Euthanized pet remains are poisonous and possibly fatal to other animals that would ingest them.
   2. Pets that die of a contagious disease should be cremated.
   3. A deceased animal may leak body fluids after passing.
   4. Buried animals must not come in contact with any surface bodies of water or groundwater, including inland lakes, streams, rivers, or open drains.
   5. Buried animals should not be buried in sandy soils, black land, rocky soils, flood land, or around the home foundation.
   6. Animal graves must not be located within 200 feet of any stream or groundwater source and 500 feet from a well used to supply potable drinking water.
2. Place a layer of lime at the bottom of the hole and on the body.
3. Compress the earth and level the floor.
4. Take a moment for yourself.
5. Finally, if you ever sell your property, it is important to notify the future buyers of the presence of any animals that may be buried on the land.

Credit: EUTHABAG®

Your pet is the only pet in the cremation unit during the cremation process. Guaranteed return of only your pet’s cremated remains. Cremated remains lovingly held in a velvet pouch and returned in a wooden urn.

More than one pet may be in the cremation unit during the cremation process. Guaranteed return of only your pet’s cremated remains.

Several pets may be in the cremation unit during the cremation process. No partitioning system is utilized and cremated remains are NOT returned.

Pets up to 100 lbs – $75

Over 100 lbs – $125

After hour fees apply for emergency delivery to the crematorium

I bring soft-sided and rolling stretchers to transport your pet to my vehicle. Help is often needed to carry the larger pets. Depending on the size (over 100 pounds( we may need to make special arrangements for the crematorium to pick up directly. Let me know in advance if there are individuals on your end to assist with the carry. If you would like your pet wrapped in a special blanket or sheet, please have that available. Favorite toys or handwritten letters from the family can be sent with the pet to the crematorium.

You can choose from the standard complimentary urn (pictured below) or go to Pet Passages to choose a different urn for an additional fee. You can purchase an urn from any location or utilize a container of your choosing to transfer the ashes to.

There are wonderful ways to honor your pet:

• Set up a fund in your pet’s name
  • Accept money, pet food, or pet supplies and donate to a local animal shelter
• Donate to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation
• Honor your pet on APLB.org during their Monday Night Pet Candle Ceremony
• Plant a tree via Arbor Day Foundation
• Plant a memorial garden at home
• Join me on National Pet Memorial Day (second Sunday in September from 5:30-7 PM) at Sherman Town Beach Pavilion for an evening of remembrance.
• Create a lasting piece of glass blown artwork incorporating your pet’s ashes.