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Cat cremation has become a common choice after a pet’s passing for various reasons.
It’s cost-effective, environmentally friendly, practical, and provides a sense of closure. It also gives you the freedom to take your cat’s ashes along wherever you go.
This guide will take you through the 12 most important things about the Cat Cremation Process.
The cat cremation process
The body is placed in the cremation component and then subjected to the exceedingly high heat of 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This reduces the biological matter to dust and dried bone, which is then ground to a gritty sand-type substance.
How long does cat cremation take?
The completion time for the cremation is about two hours or less.
The remains are then placed into a container that the crematorium provides or one that you gave them to use and returned to you.
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Cat Cremation Video
Types of Cat Cremation
There are basically three types of cat cremation, which are private, witnessed, and communal. Below is a brief description of each one.
– Private Cremation:
Your pet is cremated alone in a separate crematory chamber. Subsequently, the ashes you receive will be those of your cat only.
– Witnessed Cremation:
Crematoriums often allow the family to witness the cremation if desired. Some people believe this assists in closure after losing their pet.
Then again, others want to ensure that the ashes they receive undoubtedly belong to their cat.
Sometimes an additional fee is charged for you to view the process.
Family Viewing Cremation
– Communal Cremation:
With this option, your cat will be cremated in the same chamber with other animals. The ashes you receive will be mixed with those of the other animals.
This choice is much more cost effective. With the communal method, you are sometimes given the ashes, but in many cases not.
How much will cat cremation cost?
There can be numerous variables in the cost of cat cremation. It depends on the type of cremation, memorial service, and other extras you might choose. However, below are average costs to give you a close estimate of your total amount.
- The actual cremation is from around $50 – $150, however, a communal cremation can be half that amount.
- Some crematoriums will pick up your pet without an extra charge, however, others charge approximately $30 – $45.
- After hours, weekends, and outside a certain driving distance can be around $45 as well. In most areas, you are allowed to bring in your cat, but you should check the requirements where you live.
- In a witnessed cremation where you view the process, the cost is about $20 – $30.
- If you plan to place the ashes in an urn or other container, they can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000.
What Do Cat’s Ashes Look Like?
Cat Remains
It’s not unusual for you to be curious about how the cremains will appear. As mentioned earlier, the cremation process will reduce your cat’s body down to ashes and bones.
The texture
Those are usually ground down and have a gritty sand appearance, which is typically gray in appearance. Sometimes, it can have a rougher texture and contain small pieces of bone and even teeth.
Strange colors?
If you see different colors in the ashes, it’s probably something your pet was wearing or wrapped in when you brought it in, such as a collar or blanket, which usually stays on your pet during the cremation.
Subsequently, the ashes are placed in a plastic bag that is inside a sturdy box and given or sent to you, usually within a few of days.
Cat Memorials
Upon the return of the ashes, you may want to have a memorial. There are a number of ideas of what you can do with ashes.
You may also be interested in our ideas for dog memorials article, which also has plenty of ideas suitable for cats.
Below are only a few of the different methods that you might consider:
Scatter the ashes:
The choice of many people is to scatter the ashes somewhere special, symbolizing the act of setting their precious cat free.
If you’re interested in this method, have a look at our scattering ashes article or our scattering at sea guide.
Bury the ashes
There are many options when it comes to the place for burying the ashes of your cat. Most people want them buried on their home or a pet cemetery.
Cat Urns
If you intend to display the ashes, there are beautiful cat urns in all designs such as modern, traditional, elegant, cute, funny, or custom made.
Check out our cat urn guide to see our top picks.
Memorial Jewelry
You can now keep the ashes close to you by keeping a small amount in some jewelry.
You sometimes put ashes and also a lock of their hair inside the piece of jewelry.
It can be worn on a chain, hung somewhere special, or kept safely in a draw.
Grow a tree
Did you know that you can turn your cat’s ashes into a tree?. In fact there’s a number of products on the market that allow you to do this.
Want to know more? Read our tree urns review which talks about the process and the best products on the market.
Finding a Cat Crematorium
There are a few ways of locating a crematorium in your area. Most people do this by asking their pet’s veterinarian.
You can find directories online as well, which will give you information about crematoriums and other services by state such as Everlife Memorials.
Another option is to contact your local animal shelter. They also deal with this situation frequently and may even perform the service themselves. Some facilities only cremate while others include the memorials listed above.
Making a final decision
Putting a your cat to rest is never an easy task, especially if you have not made preparations in advance.
Undertaking these painful decisions is abundantly more difficult when you are in the midst of grief. Therefore, it can be beneficial to take care of the arrangements in advance if possible.
If you are going through the pain of losing your pet at this time or in the past, we wish you our heartfelt condolences.
I didn’t know that there were three different cremation options. My husband and I just lost our dear cat and we are wanting to get her cremated. I’ll have to look into finding the best urn for her ashes. Hopefully, we can find a beautiful one that can be displayed for years.
I have 2 cats.
Every time I look at them I get sad because of being already a 7 O yrs olde lady I think I am going first . I want to have everything in order for them to be cremated Once I rent the home we live in.
Also, would like some information how to go about.
My beautiful Shea was put down Sunday the 29th of September 2019, I had her cremated, just got her ashes back today, I’m having a really hard time with her death. I’ve been through this before but this time it hurts so so bad !!
Susan, I know exactly how you feel! I had to euthanize my precious cat, Kenny in September 26, 2019. I have lost many dear relatives, by Kenny’s death is by far the hardest. The hardest thing I’ve ever gone through is getting g through each day without him. You are not alone in your grief. I totally understand. <3
I had my best buddy and friend, my 18 year old Pumpkin kitty unexpectedly euthanized last Tuesday. I am crying every day and miss him so much. The house seems so empty and quite now. He was with me and my moral support through so much including the death of my parents. Life will not be the same. I am with you both in grief.
i paid nearly £250 for an attended cat cremation at a local pet crematorium, so i could see her on her final journey, and would know that i have her actual ashes back, at the crematorium, after saying my goodbyes, the staff wrapped her in a thick plastic sheet and placed her into the oven, and pressed a button on the wall, i don’t know if they actually fired up the oven or not.
I was meant to be present when she had been cremated to see her coming out etc, it was meant to take about 2-2.5 hours, so i left the crematorium for a while, upon my return two hours later, it turned out that she’d already been ‘processed’, so i wasn’t able to see her coming out, and i was given a box containing the casket and cremation certificates, now i’m left wondering if i actually have my cats ashes back, or did they wait until i left, then removed her from the oven to be cremated with other animals? maybe to save on heating an oven just for one animal, and i just got a generic casket of ashes, not my beloved cat.
So, do crematoriums actually cremate pets encased in thick plastic sheets? i’d have thought it would be against rules etc, and not very eco-friendly due to the burning of plastic etc.
Yes your kitty was cremated alone. Immensely sorry for your loss my 21 year old passed dec 16
The vet said he’s ready to be be picked up this eve 12/29 my thoughts and prayers are with you
More tears
We had to say goodbye to our little cat Delilah on Tuesday the 22/10/19. Our hearts were broken. Should receive her ashes next week. She’ll be in a little wooden Casket with her name on it
I’m am about to be faced with this decision for my dear cat Amber who is just shy of 19 years old and very ill. She will be put to sleep this weekend. My vet uses is local crematory service and they offer “group” and “private” cremation. The group is around $60 and the private is twice that. I will have to ask more questions because I’m not sure if I do the group cremation that I’ll actually get her actual ashes back. I also heard some places do a partitioned cremation to help separate the ashes from the other pets being cremated at the same time. If it’s partitioned, I think that will be ok, but I’d really like to do private to be sure it’s her. I just am not able to afford it plus the cost to euthanize her, unfortunately. I’m also thinking about burying her instead. I never though this decision would be so difficult and painful.
I had to put one of my cats down, Morrie, and I am having a difficult time. I brought his ashes home and put them in a chest. My other cat, who is the Mother of Morrie is going underneath the chest and just sitting there. Can she smell Morris’s remains?
She is grieving the loss of Morrie and I wish I knew what I can do to help her.
I am also struggling with the decision. We said goodby to our little Poof on 2/12/20. We still have him. Its winter and cold in the garage where he is lying in a little box with messages scrolled on it. The ground is also frozen now. We have dug a hole with the aid of a fire to thaw the ground a bit, but now we’re just down to two feet, and its frozen below. I know you’re supposed to go 3 feet. I’m so conflicted, in part because I think we may move sometime in the next few years and I don’t want to leave him behind. And I don’t want him treated differently than the two cats we still have and that will likely move with us. All our family pets growing up have been buried in my parents back yard. Poof was mostly indoor, but when he would get out, he loved escaping the yard whenever possible. Should I trap him in the ground? I know he would decompose and become part of the earth and other living processes, which I like the idea of (he would eventually escape the yard again). I also like the idea of him staying with me. I guess I’m having a hard time letting go. He had been ill for a while and I’ve done my best to see him through these past few months. I can’t figure out what to do and I feel he could be in limbo out in the garage until I decide what to do with him. I also worry about future residents digging him up somehow, or if the municipality needs to dig the area to deal with a sewer pipe or something. I wish I knew what what was best.
I had to let my Loki go March 4 2020. Its been 2 months and I’m still a mess. Ive been in complete isolation alone having gotten covid-19. Loki was my best feiend and comfort since he was a baby in 2003. I got him in 2003 right after the death of my first grandbaby. Loki saved me from the depths of depression I was sinking into. He brought me back to life and was with me 24/7 for almost 17 years as I have lupus and behcets. I miss him so much it hurts. A family member committed suicide 5 days ago, this compound the pain….and my heart is so broken. I miss my sweet boys purring cozy cuddles
This is all so paimful I had to say goodbye to my sweet Loki on March 4 2020. Its been 2 months and I’m still a mess. Ive been in complete isolation alone having gotten covid-19. Loki was my best feiend and comfort since he was a baby in 2003. I got him in 2003 right after the death of my first grandbaby. Loki saved me from the depths of depression I was sinking into. He brought me back to life and was with me 24/7 for almost 17 years as I have lupus and behcets. I miss him so much it hurts. A family member committed suicide 5 days ago, this compound the pain….and my heart is so broken. I miss my sweet boys purring cozy cuddles
I lost my beautiful Beachy girl tragically. She was 8 years old. She was leashed trained since she was a kitten and just loved her outdoor time on her leash. I always watched and made sure she was safe on her leash. Thursday morning had her out on her leash I was inside and just coming back to her and saw that she broke from her harness. Saw just down from her leash. She had been attacked by a dog. Rushed her to the vet and she passed away shortly after we arrived. The pain is unbearable. I blame myself and her not really knowing nature because she primarily was an indoor cat had a horrible death. It is on my mind constantly and I am in so much pain over her loss .
We had to put down our beloved Cosmo, he was 14 yrs old. He had liver masses and cancer, we did get a good almost 2 months to say our goodbyes, which I’m grateful for. We miss him so much. Our other cat Sally, you can tell she is looking for him.. my husband is on his way home with Cosmo ashes in a very nice oak box, with engraving, and we got a paw print of his paw to keep. We have 3 other kitties we’ve had to put down, but Cosmo we had the longest. We love you sweet boy!
June 30,2020 at 5:54 pm worst day of my life. I lost my Nola. I’ve had cats my entire life but this cat was like no other. I’m having a very hard time with losing him. due to COVID vets do not allow you to go in the examination room with your pet. We cannot be in the room to comfort them my poor cat thought I abandoned him I believe he went into shock the minute I brought him back home he collapsed on the floor and had a heart attack. He just went in for a wellness check to see if he had ear mites now I don’t have my beloved cat he was only six years old. I did a private cremation but when I received the box it’s completely closed no key no compartment that can open I’m just questioning why there is no access to his ashes?
I just recently put my best friend/fur baby down, Pebbles. I’ve had her since 2002. She was my emotional support animal :-). She had an aggressive form of skin cancer that was eating away at her nose. It was so painful to see her like that, so I made the decision to euthanize her. I know I made the right decision but I miss her so much. Last year I lost my mom now this year I lost her! I miss you Pebbles, I will never forget you!
I had to witness my precious Polydactyl silver tabby Jake die yesterday. He was only 8 years old. He had a severe obstruction and it was very sudden and he was dying and euthanasia was recommended. For 8 years he has followed me around the house EVERYWHERE I go. I mean literally always and non stop. Waking up today to him being gone is DEVASTATING. I think I ordered a private not group cremation. I really pray I am only getting my Jakey back and not mixed with other animals. My condolences to everyone here and yet to come. Losing a family member like this hurts so so BAD! I still have 2 cats, a dog and a bunny and I dread the thought of having to go through this over and over. Animals really are a beautiful gift. Im so thankful Jake shared his life with me and my children for 8 years. He will eternally be remembered. Mommy loves you Jakey.
Yesterday I had to put my beloved Fedele to sleep. A rapid decline with kidney disease. Watching your beloved companion for 18 and a half years suffer pain and indignity gave me no choice and during covid no one could come to my home to euthanise him. My lovely vet and his assistant made this experience almost beautiful and after seconds he was gone. The immense relief was my first emotion no more no more suffering. Today I wake up and the pain Is intolerable. Fedele was an “in your face” cat loud always next me and slept with me every night. His litter 19 year old sister Pascal is very quiet. Normally she loves her solitude but yesterday she stayed with Fedele wrapped her tail around him and licked him .She definately knows how sick he is and today I am worried how she will cope without him. My feelings are this: These beloved pets are gifted to us for unfortunately not too many years. We love them and they love us back. When they leave us it’s the memories that have to bring comfort along with the sadness. There is no quick fix to grief this is the way our emotions say thankyou for all the love they brought into our lives.
I just lost my 17years old cat Comel on 14 Oct. 2020. I cannot get over it yet, I bring home her ashes, so that she can be remembered each day. I intend to buried her once my mind are stable and i can get over her. She is my companion. A loyal cat. I thx her for being with me for 17years. How I wish she can stay a bit longer. RIP my dear Comel. Love you with all my heart.
I lost my beautiful baby boy KC on 10-14-20. He had chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. He wouldn’t eat and his blood report showed he wouldn’t recover so I had to say goodbye. He was the smartest and cutest cat and so loving. I walk to our community pond and feel lost without him. I’m happy he’s not suffering but I miss everything about him. I had him cremated privately. I find it hard to breathe sometimes and have written a tribute to him. I’ve had a candle lit for him every night. I know he’s with God and Jesus and hope to reunite with him and family members who’ve passed as well. He was so loving. Until we meet again KC. Gone but never forgotten. Mommy’s heart is broken.
I’m currently sitting outside my vet as my once so beautiful Stella the Boy cat is going to be cremated. He was tragically attacked by a coyote yesterday morning and I found what was left of him in my backyard. We initially buried him under his favorite tree he liked to climb but I had so much anxiety throughout the night that we did not bury him deep enough because we got so much hard rock and clay and did not want the awful coyote to come back and possibly smell the decomposition and take what was left of him. It was hard, but I unburied him and brought him to our local vet. It was just another traumatic experience to this nightmare. The local vet has 3 options: Private for $600 – semi private whereas they partition the pets but it’s not 100% that some other ashes do not get mixed in for $160 and then communal whereas it’s very likely other ashes get mixed in for $90. It was such a hard decision but I went with the semi-private and it will get his ashes in about a week or 2. They are also making a paw print memorial stone for an additional $26.
I’m outside waiting to see if he still has his collar- after finding him and seeing him I screamed and ran off and was unable to go back/ it was too hard to see.y son-in-law was nice enough to pack the remains for burial and I did not want to ask him about the collar since I gave him such a hard thing to do. They just told me no collar was on him so I think I will look in the yard for it more,
My heart goes out to everyone going through a loss. Keep your fur babies safe and I do think this cremation process is a humane way to go about it and like us, we are going to custom
Jewelry urn pendants made that we can place some of his ashes in and this way each of us can keep a piece of him with us always.
For info purposes- these prices are in western Subarbs outside Chicago IL in case this helps someone. God Bless all our fur babies that have crossed the rainbow bridge.
Put my boy Junior down yesterday after 15 wonderful years. he had a tumor that could not be cured the vet even gave him one last check to see but I knew there wasn’t a chance he told me 2 weeks earlier that when he couldn’t poop anymore that it would be the time. It went quick as it was just me and the vet in the room, I just petted him told him I loved him and he would be in a better place and one day we would be together again, the vet left me alone after for a few minutes so I held is head and then put him in his carrier to take him to the crematorium and as I write this I won’t get him back till sometime next week, the holiday slowed the process down, I have put another cat down before but Junior meant more to me as I had him since just a few weeks old and he was my anchor.
I miss him dearly and cried on just the thought that he is gone, Daddy loves you boy R.I.P.