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 Great Meadows Pet Cremations 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 Great Meadows Pet Cremations. 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 Great Meadows Pet Cremations 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 Great Meadows Pet Cremations 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?
We recently had to put our king German shepherd Koda down. He was more than just a dog he was our baby . Great meadows pet crematorium did an amazing job with him and everything they gave us of our dear departed family member. And they were also very fast at getting his remains back to us with in a 24 hour period. If your looking for a place for loved family member this is it. I thank them so much for how they treated our family member Koda . highly recommend them to any and all. Thank you again great meadows pet crematorium.
I am without words to describe the kindness this company provided. I had to make the decision to say goodbye to a sweet pet who made a huge impact on my life. And in doing so - I chose to honor her memory with a private cremation. I didnt expect anything but her ashes. But what I received was simply put - the epitome of humanity. My heart hurts writing this, remembering the loss I faced. But I am in the same vain warmed by the overwhelming decency expressed by this establishment. A hand written card, a beautiful metal tin to hold my sweet girls remains, and a candle to burn in her honor - among many other little gifts received. Each aspect of her returned remains exemplified care and detailed tenderness. I worried about how her body would be treated when I passed her off for cremation, but I no longer have doubts that she was loved and cared for in a way I could have only hoped for. I will not only recommend this service to all those I know suffering the same situation I faced, but wi
I can not capture the care, patience, professionalism and compassion Kim and the staff at Hope Springs showed my family. On a day that fractured the sprit and morale of our house, Great Meadows and Hope Springs afforded us a measure of closer and comfort. Kim went above and beyond to preserve the dignity of our loss family member and continued this exceptional service through the entire process. I cant say express enough how these people have imprinted on our life in one of our families darkest days.
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Great Meadows Pet Cremations 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.
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Not every provider listed in Chesapeake handles pets, so calling Great Meadows Pet Cremations directly is usually the quickest answer.