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 Leavitt Pet Crematory 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 Leavitt Pet Crematory. 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 Leavitt Pet Crematory 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 Leavitt Pet Crematory 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?
Leavitt Pet Crematory was amazing in our time of need & mourning. About 2 weeks ago, my sweet cat tragically passed away in our home while we were on vacation across the country. It was a one in a million freak accident and totally unexpected. Add in the fact that we were over 2,000 miles away and we got the news of her passing while on vacation, this was devastating to say the least and I was understandably a mess. I spoke with Sarah on the phone and we arranged for my sister-in-law to bring in my cat. Sarah called me once my cat was brought in so I could take care payment and she continued to keep in touch with me throughout the process. She was extremely compassionate & empathetic from the time I made the first call asking about services, all the way to the day I picked up my cats remains. My cat was brought in on Saturday night, 6/14, and I got the call that she was ready to come back home on Tuesday 6/24. When I picked her up, they gave me a bag that had the urn with her rema
I absolutely have nothing but wonderful things to say about Leavitt&.they were there for my family both times we needed them with the loss of our fur babies. Kind caring and understanding with such respect in handling our family.
I have taken several cats and 1 dog to date here, and have always been treated with kindness and compassion. For newcomers to pet cremation, if you do not purchase an urn, you can do so at any time, as well as jewelry, etc. Said ashes are placed in a small plastic bag before sealing in a small box, nothing fancy. Cremation certificate is also provided as well as sympathy card. Most cremations are complete within several days, pricing is reasonable and available on their website.
Compare with Other Providers
See how Leavitt Pet Crematory compares side-by-side with the other 8 cremation providers we list in Parkersburg.
View All 9 Parkersburg Providers →Free cremation cost tools
Free, no-signup calculators to estimate and compare cremation costs.
Leavitt Pet Crematory 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 Parkersburg handles pets, so calling Leavitt Pet Crematory directly is usually the quickest answer.