How Much Does Pet Cremation Cost?

That's probably one of the first things you're going to wonder.

And unfortunately, you may be wondering it while sitting in an animal clinic at two in the morning.

That's where I was.

When I took Zoe in, I wasn't shopping around for the best deal on pet cremation. My 17-year-old miniature dachshund had a stroke. I was trying to figure out what to do next.

For Zoe, the cremation ended up somewhere between $250 and $300. I don't remember the exact number anymore. I don't remember if there was tax or some little add-on in there either.

It was under $300.

I chose private cremation because I wanted her ashes back.

There were upgrades.

A nicer urn was one of them. I'm sure there were probably other things they offered me that morning too, but I don't remember all of it. That's what happens when somebody is explaining options to you while you're dealing with losing your dog.

I skipped the fancy urn.

When Zoe came back, her ashes were sealed in a bag inside a plain wood box.

Nothing engraved.

Nothing fancy.

And that wood box was fine.

Actually, knowing what I know now, I'd make the same choice. I'd spend the money on the private cremation and take the basic box again.

Prices are going to be different depending on where you live, the size of your pet, the crematory and what you add to it. So I can't tell you what yours is going to cost.

What I can tell you is to ask what the basic price includes before you start adding things.

Ask if your pet will be cremated alone.

Ask if you're getting the ashes back.

Ask what container they come back in.

Then ask what costs extra.

Because a nicer box can come later.

Your pet can't.

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