When it’s time to make an aftercare decision for your pet, there are a couple of options to consider that go beyond burying your pet on your own: traditional cremation and aquamation. Both of these methods provide a way to honor your pet; however, one of these methods is more eco-friendly and comes with other benefits that make it stand out from its counterpart.
So, what is the difference between traditional pet cremation and aquamation?
Pet Cremation
What is Pet Cremation?
Pet cremation is the process of using flames to burn a pet’s body after it passes away.
How Does The Cremation Process Work?
During pet cremation, the animal’s body is placed in a small, enclosed space or chamber. Flames at high temperatures that range from 1500-2000 degrees Fahrenheit are used to cremate the pet. After the process is complete, only brittle, calcified bones are left. Afterward, the bones are pulverized into ashes.
What Are the Different Types of Pet Cremation?
Traditional pet cremation can be conducted in the following ways:
- Communal: Communal cremation involves cremating more than one pet at one time. Although it may be a cost-saving option, it has a downside. With this type of cremation, it’s impossible to deliver a single pet’s ashes without it being mixed with ashes from other pets.
- Partitioned: Unlike communal pet cremation, partitioned cremation allows an individual pet’s ashes to be preserved. This type of cremation uses physical dividers (typically trays and bricks) to keep ashes from more than one pet separated. Although measures are put in place to separate your pet’s remains from the remains of other pets, it’s not fully guaranteed that other pets’ ashes will not mix with your pets’ remains.
- Private: Private pet cremation consists of having only one pet inside a cremation chamber at a time. With this method, pet owners can be ensured that all of the cremated ashes belong to one pet instead of multiple pets. Private pet cremation is also the most expensive traditional cremation option you can choose.
How Long Does Flame-Based Cremation Last?
For larger animals, such as horses and large dogs, cremation can take hours. On average, traditional pet cremation can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours.
How Much Does Pet Cremation Usually Cost?
The cost of pet cremation in South Carolina and North Carolina typically falls within the range of $100 and up. The cost depends on a number of factors, including the following:
- Type of pet
- Size of pet
- Cremation option that you choose
- Add-on services (such as memorials or ceremonies)
- Urn/memorial products
What is Returned After a Pet Cremation?
Because communal and partitioned cremations do not guarantee that your pet’s remains and other pet’s remains are completely separated, you do not have anything returned back to you for these types of cremation. For private cremations, you’ll receive your pet’s remains in the form of ashes. The ashes are returned to you in a casket or urn of your choosing.
Pet Aquamation
What is Pet Aquamation?
Pet aquamation is a water-based alternative to traditional pet cremation. Aquamation is also known as alkaline hydrolysis, water reduction, green cremation, flameless cremation, or bio-cremation. Simply put, aquamation uses water to cremate pets instead of fire, making it an eco-friendly aftercare option.
How Does the Pet Aquamation Process Work?
During aquamation, pets are cremated by using a combination of alkalinity, temperature, and water to speed up natural decomposition. When this process is finished, the pet’s body is returned to its natural form in water, making this process a gentle alternative to conventional cremation.
As with cremation, only the mineral ash of the bones remain after the aquamation process is complete. Unlike traditional flame-based cremation, ashes from aquamation are softer and have a whiter color because they retain more minerals, are cleaner, and do not have carbon discoloration. Aquamation also produces a liquid solution that is safe to be released onto the earth. You can rest assured knowing that the remaining nutrients are going to good use, benefiting farmland and the earth as a whole.
How Long Does Aquamation Last?
During the aquamation process, water recycles over the body for 18 hours; then the whole bones are placed into a dehumidifying room for 12 hours.
How Much Does Pet Aquamation Typically Cost?
The cost to have your pet cremated by using the aquamation process usually ranges from $100 and up. The cost depends on the size of the animal and other factors.
What Can You Expect to be Returned to You?
As with private cremation, you can expect to have your pet’s ashes returned to you when you choose private aquamation. At Gentle Waters, we return your pet’s ashes in an urn of your choosing.
What Are the Different Types of Pet Aquamation?
- Communal
- Private
We only offer private aquamation services at Gentle Waters.
Why Do We Offer Aquamation Instead of Traditional Cremation?
At Gentle Waters Aquamation, we believe in being eco-friendly and providing a pet aftercare option that is gentle and respectful.
You should consider aquamation for the following reasons:
- Zero emissions
- Does not consume a lot of energy
- Produces 1/10 the carbon footprint than flame-based cremation
- Allows families to have 20% more ashes returned to them if requested
- Similar cost to flame-based cremation
If you’re looking to take the more eco-friendly route for your pet’s aftercare, Gentle Waters Aquamation is a crematory to call. We’re based in Rock Hill but provide water-based cremation services to clients throughout South Carolina and North Carolina, including Charlotte.
If you have any additional questions regarding pet aquamation, feel free to contact us at (803) 487-0231 or view the frequently asked questions to see if your question is answered.