Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember)
Details updated August 2026
These three words are the most confusing part of pet cremation, and providers do not all use them the same way. Confirm which one you are buying before you agree to it.
Communal (also called group)
Several pets are cremated together and the ashes are not separated afterwards. You do not get ashes back. This is normally the lowest-cost option.
Private
Your pet is the only animal in the chamber. Ashes are returned to you. This is normally the highest-cost option.
Individual (also called partitioned or segregated)
More than one pet is in the chamber at the same time, kept apart by trays or dividers. Ashes are returned, but because the animals share the chamber a small amount of mixing is possible. This is the term that varies most between providers — some use “individual” to mean exactly what others mean by private.
The question that settles it: how many animals are in the chamber at the same time as my pet? Ask Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) that directly rather than relying on the name of the package.
Pet cremation is usually priced in weight bands rather than as a single flat fee. Providers set a few bands — commonly a small, a medium and a large — and the price steps up at each one. A cat and a large dog will not cost the same.
Two other things move the figure:
- Private normally costs more than individual, which normally costs more than communal.
- Urn, engraving, paw print, fur clipping and collection from a veterinary practice are often separate line items rather than part of the base price.
We do not hold weight bands or package prices for Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember). Ask for the band that matches your pet’s weight and for the total including every add-on, so the figure you are quoted is the figure you pay.
With communal cremation, ashes are not returned at all. With private or individual cremation, return times across the industry generally run from a few days to around two weeks, depending on the provider’s schedule and on whether your pet is being collected from a veterinary practice first.
Ask Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) for a specific date, how you will be told the ashes are ready, and whether they come back to you directly, go to your vet for collection, or are shipped.
Many pet crematories collect directly from vets, and if your pet died at a practice the vet will often arrange it for you. That is convenient, but it means the choice of crematory can be made without you.
- If your vet is arranging it, ask which crematory they use — it may not be this one.
- Ask whether collection is included in the price or charged separately.
- Ask whether you can bring your pet in yourself, if you would rather.
Ink paw prints, clay paw impressions, fur clippings, engraved urns and memorial jewelry are commonly offered. Some providers include one keepsake in the base price and charge for the rest; others charge for all of them.
If you want a paw print or a fur clipping, say so before the cremation. They cannot be taken afterwards.
Ask Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) which keepsakes are included and which are extra, and get the answer in writing.
The FTC Funeral Rule is the regulation that gives families price protections when they arrange a funeral. It does not apply to pets. The Rule (16 CFR Part 453) defines cremation as a heating process that incinerates human remains, and defines funeral services as the care and preparation of deceased human bodies. The words “pet” and “animal” do not appear in it.
For your pet, that means:
- There is no legal right to a General Price List — the itemized price sheet a funeral home has to hand you for human services.
- There is no requirement to give you itemized prices over the phone.
- There is no requirement to let you supply your own urn or container without a fee.
That does not mean a provider is behaving badly — plenty of pet crematories publish clear prices and hand over written quotes without being asked. It means the protections you may be expecting are not automatic here, so ask for them directly.
- How many animals are in the chamber at the same time as my pet?
- Will I get my pet’s ashes back, and how do you identify my pet through the process?
- What is the total price for my pet’s weight, including urn, keepsakes and collection?
- What date will the ashes be ready, and how will you let me know?
- Is the cremation done at your own facility, or sent to another company?
- Can I witness the cremation, or visit the facility?
- Can I have all of that in writing before I agree?
Originally I had left a negative review on this place, only 2 stars, but since my 1st experience here they have been nothing but kind and understanding especially towards my frustrations. I had brought my baby Lumen here after hearing good things about this place and long story short I had not gotten the ink paw prints I requested and her urn was cracked as well. The paw prints were a misunderstanding I think. I had requested the ink ones while declining the clay ones, but I'm assuming when I was declining the clay ones it sounded like I didn't want either. If you decide to bring your pet here just make it VERY clear what exactly you're wanting. After I left my review I got a call back from Julie seeing that I was unhappy with Lumen's urn and she immediately offered to get her a new (uncracked) one. Also in that same call, she told me I could look at the ash pendents they offer and that hopefully it could take place for the paw prints I hadn't gotten. It's not exactly the same but I w
10/10 would recommend to anyone who has had to say goodbye to a furry member of the family. They listened and helped me through the process of picking out an urn. They made the difficult process smooth and respected my wishes.
I recently lost my ball python. She was my companion for nearly 10 years. They helped me so much through the process. Very personable making the process much more light hearted and easy going. I would recommend them to any and all pet owners.
Compare with Other Providers
See how Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) compares side-by-side with the other 7 cremation providers we list in Champaign.
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Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) has not published pet cremation prices with us.
Expect the quote to depend on your pet’s weight band, on whether you choose communal, individual or private cremation, and on any urn, keepsakes or collection from your vet.
Ask for the total in writing. Pets are not covered by the FTC Funeral Rule, so an itemized price list is not something you are entitled to by law.
Request a Free Quote
Not every provider listed in Champaign handles pets, so calling Trusted Journey (formerly Paws & Remember) directly is usually the quickest answer.