Choosing the Right Type of Pet Cremation: Water vs Fire
Our pets are a part of our family, and some consider them to be their best friends. How could you not? Our pets will gladly be by our side, having an ear open (hoping for that special word), and providing lots of comfort. So, it is no wonder that when they pass away, you want a solution that allows you to keep them close by and remember them. While pet cremation has long been that option, newer technology allows for a process called aquamation.
In this article, we will discover the benefits and challenges of pet aquamation versus pet cremation. And, when you are ready to pursue pet aquamation, Tranquil Tides is here to assist you.
Factors to Consider
Accreditation and Reputation
A lot of information is readily available on the internet, so before selecting a pet cremation service, make sure that it is reputable and trustworthy. After all, this is your beloved pet. One of the most effective ways to find out if a company is legitimate is to search for feedback or other forms of customer reviews online. Online reviews can give you a sense of other people’s experiences and how they operate. And, if there were complaints, how did the service handle the situation?
Depending on your state and local laws, ensure that a pet cremation provider has the necessary certifications and licenses to operate as a business. This will be different for a fire cremation and a water cremation since their guidelines are different from one another.
At Tranquil Tides, we also encourage you to call us. There is nothing better than speaking to someone and letting us reassure you of any concerns that you might have about our pet aquamation. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and take the stress out of a difficult situation.
You can see Tranquil Tides’ Google Reviews using this link.
Transparency and Pricing
Transparency is a good policy. You will want to check information on the cremation process, pricing, and policies. Websites are an excellent place to start. How will your pet be treated from the beginning to the time of pick up? Is the actual process explained so you feel your pet’s remains will be in good hands? How long will it be for your fur baby to be returned to you? If the website does not explain things to your satisfaction, call the service with a list of prepared questions.
Compare the prices of different pet cremation services, keeping in mind that fire cremation will differ from water cremation pricing. Also, consider that the cheapest is not always the best choice. Prices could vary due to higher quality products, better service, or location. You don’t want to fall into that old adage of “You get what you pay for”. There are a variety of urn options to choose from, and each business will probably be unique in what they carry. Only you can decide what is the best fit for your precious pet.
At Tranquil Tides Pet Aquamation, we offer custom picture engraving of your pet along with a variety of other urn choices. We also have memorabilia like ink paw prints, hair clipping keepsakes, and Pawpals Paw Print Keepsakes. To see our full line of products, visit our Products Page. However, to get an estimate on cost and to begin your healing process, call Tranquil Tides at 417-830-4794. We want to be very transparent with our prices and like to review what is included in our packages.
Handling and Transportation Services
After your pet passes, you might need assistance in transporting your baby to the place of pet cremation. Not all will offer this service, so you will need to double check if that can be arranged. And, if they can, you want to clarify that your pet will be handled with respect and dignity during and after the pick up through to the entire process.
Tranquil Tides offers transportation for your pet in Springfield/Nixa, MO, and surrounding areas. However, we encourage folks to bring their pet to us so they can see our place of business, look at our urns on display, and, mostly, meet us and get an idea of what we are like. It is very important that you feel comfortable and confident of our ability to take care of your fur baby. There is nothing like person-to-person contact to ease your mind. Our dogs will even greet you with a few barks and wags (Levi gets a little carried away sometimes. LOL)
Eco-Friendly Practices
With our planet facing new challenges, there is a need to choose an environmentally friendly option to say farewell to your pet. If you are interested in the traditional fire cremation, look into one that uses energy-efficient equipment that has less impact on the planet. If pet aquamation is your choice, this process is one of the most sustainable ways to honor the memory of your loved one. The environmental impact is much smaller and your faithful companion can contribute to making the planet a better place. Their memory can live on even after their passing.
The pet aquamation utilized at Tranquil Tides offers the most eco-friendly option for end-of-life care. This green burial option is natural and is accomplished through the design of the equipment, the addition of alkali (salt-based), and the continuous flow of warm water. Aquamation speeds up the natural process rather than relying on fire to consume the remains. All this is done with 1/10th of the energy of traditional fire cremation. The ashes of your beloved pet can then be honored as you desire, all without the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Return of Ashes
When deciding on a pet cremation or pet aquamation service, inquire about the time frame it takes to get your loved one’s ashes back. The time frame between losing a pet and being reunited with them can be an important factor. Each business could have different lengths of time, and you will need to see which one is suitable for you. Also, are you expected to pick up your pet’s urn, or will it be delivered?
Every aquamation completed by Tranquil Tides will have a Certificate of Aquamation verifying the process. You will personally get a phone call telling you when your baby is ready to come home. At this time, you can schedule a time that is convenient for you to come to Tranquil Tides and pick up your family member. If you are in need of us to bring them home, feel free to discuss that option with us.
Private vs. Communal Cremations
A communal or group cremation is when multiple pets are placed in the same chamber together. The cremains are not kept separated and the families do not receive any of the ashes back. You will have to discuss with the facility where they will spread the ashes (if that is an option). Even if you choose communal cremation, some places may still offer keepsakes of your pet.
“Semi-private” or “individual” cremation means that each pet is kept separated by a divider or space, ensuring no co-mingling of pets. The facility can then collect each pet individually. Regular pet cremation chambers are built differently by the industry, and you would have to find out exactly how they are designed. There are different options such as steel pans, brick walls or other dividers that can withstand high heat. With our pet aquamation, each pet can be separated and placed in their own stainless steel chamber.
A “Private” cremation can only be achieved by cremating one pet completely by themselves. This would assure that only their pet’s remains would come out of the chamber since they were completely alone during the process. However, this could be a fairly expensive option and would be up to the facility if they offered it.
At Tranquil Tides, we offer communal, individual, and private cremations. There is no right or wrong choice. It is a personal decision that aligns with your beliefs. Whichever way you choose, we are here to help you make that final memory a beautiful, lasting one.
Pros and Cons of Flame-based Pet Cremation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You will find more flame crematoriums. |
Due to the intense heat, more ashes are incinerated, and you will receive fewer of your pet’s ashes. |
|
The public is more familiar with the traditional flame cremation process, and they are comfortable with it. |
Contributes to a larger carbon footprint by producing significant emissions and releasing harmful pollutants. |
| It is a faster process for the actual cremation. | Traditional pet cremation consumes a large amount of energy, including natural gas and electricity. |
Pros and Cons of Pet Aquamation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pet aquamation has no emissions of harmful greenhouse gases, no burning of fossil fuels, has greater that 90% energy savings and has only 1/10 of the carbon footprint. |
Pet aquamation is less understood by the public due to it not being widely available. |
|
Pet owners will receive 20-30% more ashes of their pet. |
The process is slower than traditional pet cremation. |
| Pet aquamation is considered a gentler method that mimics mother nature’s natural decomposition. | Although it is gaining in acceptance and preference, the public is not always aware of the option. |
| It is generally comparable in cost to traditional cremation. |
Tranquil Tides and Pet Cremation in Springfield, MO
If you are looking to keep your loved one close by or to scatter ashes in a special place, you will need to choose either aquamation or traditional cremation. I hope we have touched on many points for you to consider. Ultimately, you will decide on the best choice depending on your circumstances, beliefs, and values. Tranquil Tides welcomes any questions you may have (417-830-4794) or explore our website to learn more about us. Let us assist you with a respectful farewell for your beloved companion.
