Pet Aquamation vs. Cremation - Understanding the Best Option for Your Pet
For many people, a pet is a cherished member of their family. Sadly, pet loss is a reality that most pet owners will eventually face. When the time comes, families will have to decide if they want to honor and memorialize their furry companion and pick the best way to do so.
Cremation and aquamation are popular end-of-life choices for pets. However, deciding between pet aquamation vs. cremation can be overwhelming. As a go-to choice for water-based pet cremation in Atlanta, GA, Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation offers the following guide to help make the decision process easier for pet owners.
What Is Flame-Based Cremation?
Flame-based cremation is a traditional pet disposition method using natural gas and high heat to reduce a pet’s body to bone and ash. It’s a highly accessible option, and many people are familiar with it due to its popularity and its long history.
During the cremation process, the deceased animal is placed in a retort, ensuring it has direct exposure to intense heat. Over several hours, the heat renders the bone fragments into cremains that people typically refer to as ash.
What Is Aquamation?
Water-based aquamation is a green alternative to traditional cremation. Also called alkaline hydrolysis and green cremation, this pet aftercare treatment utilizes natural salts and water to break down the body of a deceased pet. It replicates natural decomposition with significant acceleration, making it more eco-friendly than conventional cremation.
During the process, the pet’s body is placed in a solution of water and alkali, which is heated and gently agitated using electricity. Both the solution and heat break down the pet’s body over several hours. Technicians then process the softened bone fragments into cremains.
Are the ashes different between pet aquamation and cremation? The ashes that pet owners get for their animals are similar for both pet memorial options. However, aquamation typically produces about 20% more remains, which is useful for pet owners who want to honor their pets using urns.
How To Pick the Right Pet Memorial Option
Evaluate the following factors to make an informed decision if you’re struggling to pick between pet aquamation vs. cremation.
Availability and Accessibility
Although pet aquamation has been around since its invention in 1888, it’s not as widely accessible as traditional cremation. Still, the more people learn about this sustainable end-of-life care, the more popular it becomes. The recent boost in pet aquamation popularity is why facilities like Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation are offering the service.
Processes
Cremation and pet aquamation may seem similar, with the primary difference being the use of water and salt instead of heat from fire. Yet, the processes are different.
With traditional cremation, the pet’s remains get exposed to temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees, which is hot enough to leave nothing but bone fragments behind. The cremation facility technicians then grind the bones into a fine powder, which the pet owner can keep inside an urn.
Aquamation takes a gentler approach. After a technician puts the pet into a water-filled chamber, they add a form of alkali, such as potassium hydroxide, to the water. The water temperature rises over time, and gentle agitation gradually breaks down the deceased’s body, leaving bone fragments behind.
Environmental Impact
When it comes to sustainability between pet aquamation vs. cremation, aquamation is the better choice. The process only uses electricity, unlike cremation, which uses natural gas. As such, this pet disposal method can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90% or more and use roughly 90% less energy than flame-based cremation.
It may be surprising to learn that aquamation also leads to less water wastage. It uses only a fraction of the water necessary for a traditional burial. Additionally, the liquid byproduct is sterile, so it won’t harm ecosystems when introduced back into the environment.
Cost
Cost is one of the driving factors in selecting pet memorial options. Both services use specialized equipment to produce powdery cremains, but they don’t have the same price points.
For instance, conventional cremation may be more affordable than aquamation if a facility offers communal cremation. Yet, this may not be ideal if you don’t want your beloved furry companion’s ashes to be mixed with those of another person’s pet.
Pet aquamation can be more costly than flame-based cremation. However, you may be able to choose between a communal aquamation or a private chamber for your pet, depending on your preferences and budget.
Personal Preferences
There’s no definitive answer to which pet memorial option is best. The ultimate decision is yours to make based on your budget, personal preferences, and emotional attachment.
Many pet owners find aquamation to be the ideal choice due to the gentle nature of the disposal process. Instead of subjecting their cherished pet’s body to extreme temperatures, they can rest in water. The final results are the same, but the process to get there is less harsh.
Before finalizing your decision, consider which procedure aligns more with how you want to honor your pet. Ask yourself:
- Do you want pet aftercare with widely recognized processes and a long history?
- Is eco-friendliness and sustainability important to you?
- Is your budget a primary concern?
- Would you prefer to have a lot of your pet’s remains available to share with family members?
Both pet aquamation and cremation have benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to choose what’s best for you and your family.
Turn to Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation for Sustainable End-of-Life Care for Your Pet
It’s not uncommon for pet owners to have questions about pet aquamation vs. cremation. However, if you’re looking for eco-friendly pet aftercare, aquamation is the way to go. The process offers a respectful and environmentally friendly way to say goodbye and have the animal’s cremains to keep or spread in their honor.
If you’re interested in gentle pet disposition in Atlanta, Georgia, turn to Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation. We’re a leading pet cremation alternative provider, offering veterinarian and home pickups, as well as keepsakes and grief support for those who need it.
For more information about pet aquamation services, contact Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation in Atlanta at (678) 995-9520.
