Your pet's cremains can be buried at the cemetery or they can be placed into a columbarium at the cemetery if you do not bring them home with you. Scattering your pet’s ashes is an alternative to both burial and placement in a perpetual care vault. Check on the ordinances in your area before scattering your pet’s ashes outside of a cemetery.

Cremation does not require that a casket be provided for your pet. However, if you choose to have a memorial service or a wake for your pet, then a casket is recommended for this purpose. Skilled pet funeral homes can arrange your pet in a lifelike sleeping pose to provide a beautiful final memory if you choose to have a wake for your pet.

If you are unable to prearrange your pet’s funeral service, in cases such as accident or other unexpected death, many pet cemeteries do have financial arrangements and payment plans available. Taking advantage of these plans, if pre-need arrangements are not possible, prevents you from being forced to decide on your pet’s final resting place based solely on cost. Even if payment arrangements are not advertised, ask about them before assuming they are not available.