What to do with your dog’s remains is one of those important decisions. Some people bury their dog in their back garden or in a pet cemetery, while some owners choose cremation. Cremation can suit many dog owners and is often an affordable option.

Dog cremation costs vary from £100 up to £300 depending on:

• The size of your dog
• Your location in the country
• Private or communal cremations
• Type of urn
• Any additional services you require

Pet insurance can help with the cost of cremation.

We’ll run through how much dog cremations cost and the different services available to you.

 

How does dog cremation work?

 

Before you decide to have your dog cremated, it’s important to understand the process of cremation. Although some finer details can vary between different cremation providers, it usually follows these steps:

 

1. First, contact a local pet crematorium to talk about pet cremation costs and the services they provide. If your dog has a severe illness or is very old, you can do this in advance. It will save you from planning this while grieving. Contact a couple of different crematoriums if possible to help you get the best possible services for you and your dog.
2. Depending on the crematorium you choose, there may be different methods of obtaining your dog’s body. Usually, the pet crematorium will have a service that can arrange to collect your dog. This normally needs 24 hours’ notice. Or if you prefer, you can arrange to take them yourself.
3. Some crematoriums have a room for you to say your final goodbye to your dog. Some even have bereavement councillors on site.
4. The crematorium staff will look after your dog and put them in the cremation unit. Depending on whether you choose a private, individual or communal cremation, your dog will be alone in the unit or with other dogs.   
5. The staff will remove any implants and collars from your dog’s ashes and return them to you.
6. Finally, the staff will put the remains into the container you’ve chosen – usually an urn or a casket. You can then take them home. 

Usually, the entire process lasts a couple of hours, and you collect your dog’s ashes the same day.

 

Costs to consider for cremation

 

The costs of dog cremation can vary from £100 to £300 depending on different factors, such as:

Cremation cost by size

Below you’ll see how your dog’s weight affects the cost of cremation.

 

Size	Weight	Example Breed	Average UK Cost
Small Dog	Up to 10kg	Chihuahua, Mini Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Jack Russell Terrier, West Highland White, Mini Dachshund, French Bulldog, Border Terrier, Toy Poodle	£130
Medium Dog	10.1 – 20kg	Springer Spaniel, British Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, Border Collie, Tibetan Terrier, Beagle, Mini Poodle	£150
Large Dog	20.1 – 34kg	Standard Schnauzer, Afghan Hound, Boxer, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Shar Pei, English Pointer, Standard Poodle, Labrador	£170
Extra Large Dog	34.1 – 47kg	Giant Schnauzer, Dobermann, Flat Coat Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, Giant Poodle, Rhodesian Ridgeback	£190
Giant Dog	47.1kg+	St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Mastiff, Deerhound, Bloodhound, Bernese Mountain	£210

 

Type or Style of Urn

If you choose to have your dog cremated, the crematorium will usually offer a variety of urns or caskets for the ashes.

Scatter Tubes: If you plan to scatter your dog’s ashes somewhere special, scatter tubes are ideal. They come in a range of designs and sizes suitable for your dog and cost between £15 and £30.

Biodegradable Burial Urns: If you want to bury your dog’s ashes in a private garden or a pet cemetery, a biodegradable burial urn can be a good choice. They’re made from 100% biodegradable materials so will break down gradually over time, releasing your dog’s ashes into the soil. If you’re not burying the ashes immediately, make sure you keep them dry and out of direct sunlight. These cost between £40 and £60 depending on the size of urn.

Biodegradable Water Urns: If you choose a water burial, biodegradable water urns are ideal as they are designed to break down in water. The urns can either sink immediately or float for a few minutes before gently descending. Like the burial urns, they are made from 100% biodegradable materials and will gradually release your dog’s ashes into the water. Keep them dry and out of sunlight until you’re ready for the burial. They cost between £75 and £95 depending on the size of urn.

Display Urns and Caskets: Available in a range of designs and sizes and made from a wide variety of materials including:

• Wood
• Metal
• Marble
• Alabaster
• Porcelain
• Glass

Display urns are designed to hold your dog’s ashes forever. The cost varies depending on design and material – a metal paw print dog urn can cost £65 or a ceramic dog urn can cost £250.

Discreet Urns and Caskets: Perfect if you’d prefer your dog’s ashes contained in something more discreet. Discreet urns can be placed in your home and can blend in so it’s not obvious what they contain. They’re available in a variety of designs including statues or photo frames. The cost varies depending on design – a photo frame can cost from £60 up to £120.

Garden Urns: A great option for your outdoor-loving dog. They’re designed to withstand the elements and can hold more than one set of ashes. Choose from a selection of designs from sundials and sculptures to water features, and place in your dog’s favourite spot outside. The cost varies depending on material and design – a simple bronze sculpture can cost £100 or a more intricate metal sculpture can cost £500, with some bigger garden urns over £1000.

Keepsake urns: A good choice if you want to split your dog’s ashes so that you can scatter or bury some and keep a small amount to put into a keepsake. Keepsakes are available in many forms such as a piece of jewellery, a glass ornament, a cushion, a soft toy or anything else you choose to remember them by. The cost of keepsake urns depends on the type you choose – a soft toy keepsake can cost £140 and a dog paw pendant can cost £95.

Cremation cost by location

Dog cremation costs can vary depending on your location. Dog cremation in London will usually have a higher cost than other areas in the UK. Search for dog cremation near you to get a more accurate cost for your location.

 

Types of cremations for your dog

 

There are three different types of dog cremation:

• Communal
• Individual
• Private

Depending on which method you choose, the cost will vary. We’ll focus on each in detail.

Communal cremations

Communal cremation is the cheapest option and involves cremating more than one dog at a time. This means it’s impossible to collect an individual dog’s ashes. In this method, the crematorium usually scatters the ashes in their crematorium garden. It costs between £100 and £180 depending on the size of dog and your location.

Individual cremations

Individual pet cremation is a semi-private method. Several dogs are cremated at one time, but unlike communal cremations, the dogs are put into separate chambers. There’s still a small chance of ashes mixing. The cost varies between crematoriums, but expect to pay between £150 and £220.

Private cremations

A private cremation is the best option to ensure the ashes you receive are your dog’s. Only your dog is in the cremation chamber, and the crematorium will deliver their ashes in an urn of your choice. It’s the most expensive method, ranging from £250 to £300.

Additional services

Other potential costs include:

• Postage and packaging if you’re not available to collect your dog
• Out of hours attendance such as weekends
• Viewing fees – to be present during the process
• Urns and caskets
• Memorials

 

What to do with pet ashes?

 

Lots of dog owners think of their dog as part of the family. A good way to say goodbye is by arranging a dedicated memorial.

 

Ceremonies

 

Choose a ceremony that feels right for you and your dog. Your options include:

• Scattering ashes
• Water ceremony
• Creating a garden
• Customising a keepsake

Scattering Ashes

When deciding where to scatter their ashes, think about some of your favourite memories with your dog. Did you have a special place to walk? Did your dog love your garden? If the land is public, such as a park, you will need to check local regulations to see if scattering ashes is allowed.

Water Ceremony

Lots of dogs love water and if paddling or swimming was a favourite pastime, you could have a ceremony on or near a lake or river. As long as you use a biodegradable urn and check your local regulations, a water burial is a peaceful way to say your goodbyes.

Creating a garden

You might have an area in your garden where you’d like to scatter or bury the ashes. You could create a peaceful and reflective outdoor area as a memorial to your dog. Plant some flowers or a special tree or install a bench to give you and your family a place to sit and reflect.

Customising a keepsake

A piece of jewellery is an intimate way to remember your dog. You can turn your dog’s ashes into many different types of jewellery, including:

• Necklaces and pendants
• Earrings
• Rings
• Bracelets
• Charms

 

While it’s not the easiest thing to think about, it helps to understand the costs of cremation and have a plan in place for how you want to honour the life of your dog.