Our pets can become family members and best friends. Like with other loved ones, when a pet passes, it can be a devastating loss accompanied by a tide of grief. West Coast Pet Memorial Services offers cremation services so you can honor your pet and have a reminder of the unique relationship and experience you shared. We want to help you understand our cremation process so you have the information needed to make a decision you feel comfortable with.

The Crematorium

Cremating animals and humans involves the same process. We place your pet in a cremation chamber before using intense temperatures, ranging from 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, to reduce the organic matter to bone and ash, all of which takes roughly two hours, depending on the pet's size. Regarding the amount of cremains you can expect so you can purchase an appropriate container or have us provide a complimentary urn, the process often leaves about 3.5% of the pet's weight. Before turning over your pet's ashes, we remove all remaining surgical pins, tags, and collars.

Cremation vs. Burial

You may feel torn deciding whether to cremate or bury your beloved pet. Depending on your local climate, you may live in a place with freezing winters, which makes the ground resistant to digging. You must also make sure you make a deep enough hole when burying your pet. Otherwise, wild animals may try to dig up the remains, which may only add to your distress. Even if you live in an area that doesn't experience harsh winters and are able to dig a sufficient hole, you may move out of your current home, forcing you to leave your cherished pet behind.

Types of Cremation 

There are different cremations: witnessed cremation, private cremation, and communal cremation. With witnessed cremation, you can view the process, which some pet owners prefer for the sense of closure to help them with the grieving process. In a private cremation, we cremate your pet in an individual chamber, ensuring you receive only your pet's cremains. Communal cremations involve the burning of several pets at once, so you may not have the option of receiving your pet's ashes after this process, as they may contain other pets' ashes.

Contact Us

Let us help memorialize your pet and assist you during a trying time. Contact any of Pet Hospital of Hawaii’s 3 locations today to learn more about our services, such as 24/7 grief support and online memorials.