When a beloved canine companion passes away, many dog owners choose to have their pet cremated. This provides a way to memorialize the dog and keep a physical reminder of them. After the cremation process is complete, the owner is presented with the cremated remains, often referred to as “ashes.” This leaves many wondering – what happens next? What can be done with a dog’s ashes?
The cremation process
In order to understand what happens after cremation, it helps to first understand what happens during the cremation process itself. Here are the basic steps:
- The deceased pet is placed in a cremation chamber or retort, which is a furnace made specifically for cremating animals. Pets are cremated one at a time, and human remains are never cremated alongside pet remains.
- The temperature inside the retort reaches extreme heat, usually between 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat helps reduce the animal’s body to bone fragments and ashes.
- After 1-2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by the heat, leaving only bone fragments and ash. The pet’s remains are then processed to create a uniform ash.
- Any metal or non-combustible implants like ID microchips are removed from the cremated remains.
- The processed ashes are placed into an urn selected by the pet’s owner. The urn is then returned to the owner along with a certificate of cremation.
This entire cremation process is designed to reduce a pet’s body to a basic, uniform ash that can be kept, scattered or buried. So what are some options for these cremated remains?
Keeping your dog’s ashes
Many dog owners opt to keep their pet’s ashes in an urn as a memorial. The crematory typically provides a simple plastic or metal container, but families can also purchase special urns. Urns come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes and materials such as wood, stone, ceramic, glass or metal.
Personalized dog urns with engravings or paw print designs let owners create a unique memorial. Many people choose to display their pet’s urn in their home – on a shelf, desk or special memorial. Others prefer to keep the urn in a private place for quiet reflection.
Ideas for personalizing and displaying a dog urn:
- Choose a favorite photo of your pet, and have it printed on the urn or engraved alongside their name
- Display the urn on a memorial shelf along with your dog’s collar, leash or other special items
- Keep the urn in a special box, along with sympathy cards, condolence letters and other memorial keepsakes
- Place the urn in a niche of a pet memorial wall or shadowbox display
- Bury the urn in a location of significance like under a favorite tree, at the family home, or in a pet cemetery
Scattering or burying ashes
Instead of keeping their pet’s ashes in an urn, some families choose to scatter or bury them. This provides a sense of closure and can feel like a symbolic way to “set your pet free.” Many find comfort in returning their dog’s ashes to nature.
Scattering ashes
Common places to scatter dog ashes include:
- Over a body of water, like a lake or the ocean
- In a favorite park or wilderness area where you hiked or played with your dog
- In your own backyard or garden, over your dog’s favorite spot to sleep or play
- At a family cabin or vacation home that held special memories with your pet
When scattering ashes, the weather and wind direction should be considered. Some locations may require permits. Scattering ashes is a way for the entire family to share in the memorial experience.
Burying ashes
Ashes can be buried in a pet cemetery, an urn garden, or on your own property. Ideas include:
- Burying the urn in a pet cemetery with a memorial marker
- Intermingling and burying the ashes together with the ashes of other cherished pets
- Burying the ashes near a memorial tree, plant or stones engraved with your pet’s name
- Burying ashes in your own backyard, with a flat garden stone marking the location
Check local regulations on burying pet ashes, as some areas restrict locations. Burial provides a permanent resting place to visit and reflect.
Cremation jewelry
Another unique way to memorialize cremated pet remains is by putting a small portion of the ashes into cremation jewelry. These miniature urns allow you to keep your pet’s ashes close to your heart. Cremation jewelry options include:
- Necklaces with ash-filled pendants
- Bracelets with ash-infused beads
- Rings with ashes encapsulated under the stone
- Earrings carrying ashes inside a glass vial
The ashes are safely sealed inside the jewelry. Engraving the pet’s name or paw print onto the piece adds a meaningful personal touch. Cremation jewelry provides a way to privately keep your dog close wherever you go.
Cremation Jewelry Options for Ashes:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Necklace pendants | Small urn or vial filled with ashes worn as a pendant around the neck |
| Bracelets | Bracelet beads or links contain ashes sealed inside |
| Rings | Ashes placed under the stone or sealed in the band |
| Earrings | Small ash vial hangs from earring wires |
Creating art or gems
Some companies provide unique memorial options by incorporating cremated remains into works of art or synthetic stones.
The ashes are mixed into paints, blown glass, melted metals or fused with man-made gemstones. The resulting creations include:
- Paintings or thumbprint portraits using ashes in the pigments
- Glass memorials like blown glass beads, paperweights or ornaments
- Synthetic diamonds created by compressing the carbon ash under intense heat and pressure
- LifeGem® stones made by infusing ashes into synthetic gems
These memorial art and gem options allow ashes to become keepsakes with special meaning. The pet’s ashes literally become part of a lasting family treasure.
Ashes into rockets or fireworks
For pets and owners who loved adventure, some companies offer the unique memorial option of launching ashes into space or transforming them into fireworks.
Hybrid rocket companies will pack a portion of ashes into a rocket payload. Families gather for the launch to watch the ashes propel into the heavens. Spaceflight service examples include:
- Celestis Pets – Launches a section of ashes on a journey beyond the moon
- Ascending Memories – Offers rocket launches that release ashes at peak altitude
Fireworks companies will integrate ashes into the burst charge of a firework. As the firework explodes, the ashes are propelled skyward in a symbolic memorial display. Some also allow combining ashes into custom firework colors.
Ashes into tattoo ink
Pet cremains can even become part of a memorial tattoo. Tattoo artists are able to safely blend a small amount of ash powder into the ink used for the tattoo. This allows proceeds of the pet to literally become part of the owner’s body in memorial ink tattoos.
Types of pet ash tattoos include:
- A paw print design using ash-infused ink
- The pet’s name in the owner’s handwriting tattooed with ash ink
- Adding ash ink to colored elements of an existing memorial tattoo
Memorial ash tattoos provide a unique way to honor a beloved pet permanently. Be sure to work with a reputable tattoo artist experienced in handling cremated remains.
Conclusion
Saying goodbye to a beloved dog is never easy, but cremation can help ease the pain of loss. The ashes become a lasting memorial that allows you to honor your pet’s memory in whatever way feels meaningful to you. From keepsake urns to symbolic scattering, there are many options for preserving or laying your pet to rest. The ashes remind you of the joy and love you shared, while providing closure through a final act of remembrance.