Losing a pet is one of the hardest moments for any pet owner. During this emotional time, many people turn to their veterinarian for guidance on cremation. However, most vets don’t provide cremation services directly—they typically partner with third-party crematories.
If you’re facing this situation, it’s important to understand your options, what to consider, and how to arrange a cremation. As Portland’s top-rated pet cremation service since 2009, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know in this article.
Do Vets Offer Cremation Services?
In Portland, very few vets handle pet cremations directly. Based on our experience and research of the top 10 clinics in the area, none offers on-site cremation or has their own crematory.
Instead, they partner with outside providers for these services.
At Compassionate Care, we own and operate our own crematory, ensuring your pet is cared for with respect and dignity every step of the way.
Pet Cremation Options
When planning for the care of your pet’s body, you may have the option to choose between flame-based cremation and water-based cremation (AKA Aquamation):
- Flame-based Cremation: A flame-based process that has been the standard for many years. This consumes more energy than alternatives, it produces significant greenhouse gases, and because of the high temperatures involved, it is more hazardous for operators. This process produces about 20% fewer cremains relative to Aquamation (when private cremation is elected).
- Water-based Cremation: AKA Aquamation, alkaline hydrolysis, eco-friendly cremation and green cremation. This is a gentle, water-based process that mimics natural decomposition. It uses 90% less energy, produces no harmful emissions into the environment,, and returns about 20% more cremains when private cremation is elected.
Private vs. Communal Cremation:
- Private Cremation: Your pet is cremated individually, and only their cremains are returned to you.
- Communal Cremation: Pets are cremated together, and cremains are typically scattered by the provider.
What to Do If Your Pet Passes Away at Home
When your pet passes away at home, it can be overwhelming, but there are steps to take right away. Here are your options when faced with this difficult situation:
- Bury your pet at home or at another chosen location. We highly recommend checking with your HOA, county or other applicable jurisdictions to ensure you are following all regulations pertaining to pet burial. Keep in mind that if you bury your pet, you must do so deep enough and/or with enough immovable cover over the top to ensure other animals cannot disturb the burial site, particularly if your pet has any medications such as euthanasia drug in its body. Do not bury in any area that may contaminate the watershed, the groundwater or other bodies of water.
- Your regular veterinarian may be able to assist you with cremation. Usually they have a partnership with a crematory that may or may not be locally-based.
- Contact a pet cremation facility to bring your pet to them, or in some cases they may be able to do a home pickup for an additional fee.
For an easy step-by-step guide, check out How Do You Arrange a Pet Cremation.
FAQ
Who Will Transport My Pet’s Body to and From the Cremation Facility?
You can usually bring your deceased pet to the cremation facility or veterinary clinic yourself, or some providers offer transportation services for an additional fee. It’s a good idea to contact the cremation facility in advance to discuss their options for transportation—especially if you require a home pickup.
Can My Pet Be Cremated Individually?
Yes, most providers offer private cremation, ensuring your pet is cremated alone and only their cremains are returned to you.
What Is Aquamation?
Aquamation is a water-based alternative to flame cremation. It’s environmentally friendly, using less energy and returning about 20% more cremains, while providing a gentle, respectful process that is also easier on the environment..
What Happens After Cremation?
After a private cremation, you can keep your pet’s cremains in an urn or scatter them in a meaningful place. Many facilities also offer keepsakes like urns, clay paw prints, or memorial jewelry.
How Compassionate Care Can Help
At Compassionate Care, we’ve supported pet owners in Portland since 2009 with water-based cremation (aquamation) and at-home pet euthanasia services.
By owning and operating our own aquamation crematory, we ensure a respectful and seamless process that is 100% locally based, giving you peace of mind during this emotional time.
We’re here to provide guidance, support, and understanding every step of the way.
