Choosing the Right Pet Aquamation or Pet Cremation Establishment: A Guide for Pet Owners

Losing a beloved pet is one of the most challenging experiences a pet owner can face. In this time of grief, making decisions about how to honor your pet’s memory can be overwhelming. One of the most important choices you’ll make is selecting the right pet cremation establishment whether it be a water-based aqaumation or traditional fire-based cremation. In this guide, we’ll explore essential factors to consider, ensuring you make the best decision for your furry companion.

Our pets are a part of our family, and some consider them to be their best friends. Who do we spend most of our time with?  Our sidekicks follow us everywhere and even sleep with us.  Our pets will gladly be by our side, having an ear open (hoping for that special word), and providing lots of hugs and kisses. 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 pet aquamation.

Why Choose Aquamation for Your Pet?

Pet Aquamation is a respectful and environmentally friendly way to say goodbye to your pet. It allows you to keep their ashes close, offering a sense of comfort and connection. Additionally, pet aquamation establishments often provide a range of options for memorializing your beloved animal, from urns to memorial services. And, when you are ready to pursue pet aquamation, Tranquil Tides is here to assist you.

When the time comes that you need to choose an establishment for your pet’s cremation, you want to be sure to choose one who you are confident will treat your pet with the utmost compassion and care. This isn’t just about a service—it’s about trusting someone with a member of your family.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Pet Aquamation or Pet Cremation Establishment

Reputation and Reviews

Start your search by researching local pet cremation establishments. Look for online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Pay attention to the experiences of other pet owners, and consider reaching out to your veterinarian for recommendations. A reputable establishment will have positive feedback and a track record of compassionate service.

A lot of information is readily available on the internet, so before selecting a pet aquamation or 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 process.  Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and take the stress out of a difficult situation. We believe in treating each beloved pet with the same love and attention you gave them in life, which is why every step, from the beginning to the careful return of their ashes, is handled with an extra layer of care.

You can see Tranquil Tides’ Google Reviews using this link.

Pricing, Transparency and Policies

Transparency is a good policy.  You will want to check information on the aquamation and 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 aquamation and 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.

The loss of your cherished friend can bring grief that is as profound as losing a family member. To help navigate this process, pet memorial products, such as urns and keepsakes, can provide a comforting connection to you and your lost friend.

At Tranquil Tides Pet Aquamation, we offer custom picture engraving of your pet on a beautiful maple urn.  If you are wanting something more basic, we have an acacia wood box urn with engraving of name and dates.  Vases and urns that you place a photograph inside are another option.  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. Even though our prices are on our website, we encourage a phone call to review and answer any questions. To begin your healing process, call Tranquil Tides at 417-830-4794.

How Will Your Pet Get There?

After your pet passes, you might need assistance in transporting your baby to the place of pet aquamation or 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 and Nixa, Missouri and the 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)

A Sustainable Option

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 pet 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.

Getting Your Pet’s Ashes Back

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.

Types of Cremation Services Offered

Make sure the establishment you choose offers the type of cremation that aligns with your wishes.

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. This option is often more affordable but does not provide a personal memorial.

“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 and Cons of Pet Aquamation

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 pet aquamation or traditional pet 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.