updated: March 21, 2023
The cost to cremate a dog depends on the type of package you choose, where the service is purchased, and the size of your dog.
This is a topic nobody wants to think about. Yet, when the time comes it’s better to know the facts than stumble blindly into a decision.
The cost to cremate a dog can vary from $50 to $300 or more.
You have control over the price.
Grieving is a tough process to go through; however, it shouldn’t color your decision on what to do with your beloved dog’s remains. It may be tempting to fork out the extra money for the top tier services, but don’t do it out of guilt.
The amount of money you spend does not translate into how much you loved your dog.
This post is designed to help you in this difficult process. Decision-making doesn’t come easy during the grieving process.
This post will help show you the options available and offer a clear understanding of how to access services, add-on or hidden costs you might not be aware of, and meaningful suggestions on what to do with your beloved dog’s cremains.
Do Vets Cremate Dogs?
Veterinarians do not typically offer cremation services for deceased pets. Instead, they work with independent businesses.
Part of the contract between the veterinarian clinic and the cremation service includes picking up the remains. It’s impersonal and, for practical reasons, usually means picking up in bulk.
The remains are then cremated together for the purpose of saving time, energy and costs. That said, there’s nothing untoward about the procedure.
There’s also nothing wrong with choosing this option if you simply cannot afford to choose a cremation or burial package.
What Are the Alternatives to Dog Cremation
If you’re worried about the cost to cremate a dog and unsure what to do, consider these options:
Home Burial
If you own property, there’s nothing wrong with burying your beloved dog there. It’s a cost effective way to honor your dog’s life while creating a nearby memorial.
It’s very important to make sure you’ve dug to a proper depth. Depending on the size of your pooch, you want to make sure that no wildlife will be tempted to uncover the earth.
Donate to Science
If you cannot afford full cremation or burial services in your area, consider applying to donate your dog’s remains to science.
Universities, research facilities, and organizations of the Humane Society will work with you to provide a respectful memory for your pet.
Science research is able to use your donation to further veterinary studies in areas of cancer research, etc.
Go Fund Me for a Charity
If you absolutely cannot afford a dignified burial and can’t afford the cost to cremate a dog, consider setting up a Go Fund Me page.
It may sound odd, but if you give your pledge to donate any additional funds above and beyond the cost of the cremation service to charity, you might just end up getting the help you need while helping others at the same time.
Do You Really Get Your Dog’s Ashes Back?
The only way to be sure to get your dog’s ashes back is to choose a private cremation option.
With this service, only your dog is cremated. While communal cremation services tend to be less expensive, there’s no way you can guarantee the ashes you get back are all yours.
Keep in mind that even with private cremation options, there’s a chance that a small amount of residue from other services will be swept into the urn. It’s nearly impossible for this not to happen, but it shouldn’t dampen your expectations in any way.
Don’t just search online to find the best dog cremation services.
Make a point of visiting. Talk to the people who work there and observe the surroundings. Your instincts are sharp. Trust them. If you don’t feel comfortable for any reason, move on to the next place.
Sample Cremation Services – Individual Costs to Cremate a Dog
The examples below are a cross-section of pet cremation services across the country. While this is meant to give you a general idea of what to expect when figuring out the cost to cremate a dog, keep in mind that these are not the only services available.
Your veterinarian will be able to refer you to a reputable company.
Paws Pet Cremation
Paws Pet Cremation is located in California. They offer three packages and add-ons to personalize the experience.
Personal Cremation Service
The cost to cremate a dog is directly related to the type of service you want, including any extras you would like to tack on. Many pet crematoriums offer various packages for all budgets.
Choosing the package with the lowest cost to cremate a dog isn’t a bad thing. It certainly doesn’t mean you loved your dog any less than someone who can afford all of the bells and whistles.
When choosing a personal (some places call it a “private”) dog cremation service, you can expect to have the following included:
- Private cremation
- White Temporary Urn
- Certificate of Private Cremation
Watch the Paws Pet Cremation Video below for industry myth-busting:
Cost to Cremate a Dog with the Personal Cremation Service Package?
$85 for dogs between 1 and 10 pounds.
$125 for dogs between 11 and 25 pounds
$155 for dogs between 26 and 50 pounds
$200 for dogs between 51 and 75 pounds
$245 for dogs between 76 and 100 pounds
$280 for dogs between 101 and 300 pounds
*Pricing is reflected on their website and is presumed current.
Signature Cremation Service Package
The cost to cremate a dog with the Signature Cremation Service Package is between f$179 and $349 depending on the weight of the dog (as above). This package includes the following:
- Private cremation
- Cedar wood urn
- Ink paw print keepsake
- Fur clip keepsake
- Certificate of private cremation
- Complimentary pick-up with a 10 mile radius of their facility
St. Francis Pet Funeral Service & Cremation
The cost to cremate a dog using St. Francis Pet Funeral & Cremation services depends on the plan you choose. Some of their options include:
- Angel Plan
This is considered the standard service and includes the option to attend a reception or witness the cremation process.
In addition, they offer professional care & grooming, prayer cards and private cremation. If you’d like to keep the ashes, they offer same-day service on pets under 125 pounds.
Cost to Cremate a Dog with the Angel Plan?
$300 plus the cost of urn. Delivery of ashes is an additional $90
- Best Friend Plan
This plan is a little more upscale. In addition to a private cremation, the owner/guardian is present for the funeral reception within the chapel. Grooming, prayer cards, flowers and a certificate are included in the cost.
Cost to Cremate a Dog Using the Best Friend Plan?
Private cremation is $400 and includes a basic urn. Free urn delivery.
- Companion Plan
For this service, the owner/guardian is present for the funeral reception. In addition, limo service is available to and from the chapel. Private cremation services include professional care & grooming, custom named prayer cards, flowers, candles, music, and food/water.
Cost includes same day service and a top quality urn (bronze, granite, or pewter).
Cost to Cremate a Dog Using the Companion Plan
$700
In addition to the services mentioned above, this company offers alternatives to owner who do not wish to participate in wake or chapel options. Costs are based on the size of the dog and range from $50 to $190
Keep in mind that costs may change over time. It’s always best to contact the company directly for the most up-to-date quote.
Add-Ons That Increase the Cost to Cremate a Dog
This is a stressful time and it’s easy to get swept away by the many add-ons available.
Keep in mind that funeral homes and cremation facilities are still businesses. They have to make a profit in order to keep providing those valued services.
That doesn’t make them bad, but it could leave you vulnerable to spending more money than you can afford.
There should be no pressure to purchase add-ons like:
- Scatter pouches
- Decorative Tins
- Framed paw prints
- Personalized plaques
- Memorial ornaments
- Memorial stones
- Memorial jewelry
- Headstones
- Cremation earrings
And the list goes on…
Should I Keep My Dog’s Ashes?
Deciding to keep your beloved dog’s ashes is a personal choice.
In most cases, it doesn’t cost any more to choose that option. The additional cost usually involves delivery and the quality of the urn itself.
Some people feel great comfort having their dog’s ashes nearby. You might choose to keep a small amount in a locket and scatter the remaining ashes over his/her favorite run area.
Summary
Whatever you choose to do is just fine. It’s the memories you cherish and the joy your dog brought into your home that matters the most. How you choose (if you choose) to memorialize your dog is going to be a personal choice.
I wish you all the best and I hope you were able to get something valuable from this post. Please take a second to share and thank you for being here.