How to Arrange a Pet Cremation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Arranging a pet cremation comes down to four decisions: who will handle it, what type of cremation you want, how your pet will get there, and what you'd like done with the ashes. Everything else — paperwork, scheduling, transport, urn selection — flows from those choices.

If you're reading this because your pet has just died or is about to, here's the most important thing to know: you don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to figure it all out right now. A good cremation provider will walk you through every step. This guide prepares you so you know what to expect.

Step 1: Decide Who Will Handle the Cremation

You have two options, and both are completely valid.

Through your vet or emergency clinic

If your pet dies at the vet or is euthanized there, the clinic will almost always offer to arrange cremation for you. They'll work with a partner crematorium (in the GTHA, this is usually Gateway Pet Memorial), handle transport, and have you sign the necessary forms before you leave.

This is the simplest option — one less thing to think about during an overwhelming moment. The trade-off is that you may have less visibility into who's handling your pet, what type of cremation you're getting, and what's included in the price.

Directly with a cremation provider

You contact a pet cremation service yourself and they guide the process. This gives you more control: you choose the provider, the type of cremation, the inclusions, and the communication level. Most providers will pick up from your home, your vet, or an emergency hospital.

At Florence, you can arrange everything online — enter your pet's details, choose your cremation type, sign the authorization, and pay — without making a phone call. If you'd prefer to talk to someone, you can do that too. Either way, we handle pickup and coordinate directly with the facility.

Planning ahead

If your pet is elderly or seriously ill, you don't have to wait until the moment of death to research your options. Many families find it helpful to choose a cremation provider in advance so that when the time comes, one call (or one online form) is all it takes. This is especially worth doing if the type of cremation, the tracking process, or the communication experience matters to you — because those aren't things you want to be comparing at midnight.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Cremation

There are three types, and the choice determines whether you receive ashes back.

Communal cremation. Multiple pets are cremated together. No ashes are returned — remains are respectfully scattered. This is the most affordable option and a dignified choice for families who don't need ashes back.

Individual (partitioned) cremation. Multiple pets share the cremation chamber but are separated by physical dividers. Ashes are returned to each family. However, because pets share the chamber, there's a possibility of incidental mixing. Some providers call this "individual" or "semi-private."

Private cremation. Your pet is the only animal in the chamber. All ashes returned are guaranteed to be your pet's alone. This is the most expensive option and the only one that fully eliminates any possibility of mixing.

If you're unsure which to choose, ask yourself one question: do I want ashes returned, and does it matter to me that they're guaranteed to be my pet's alone? If yes to both, choose private. If you want ashes but the guarantee matters less, individual may work. If you don't need ashes, communal is the right fit.

For a detailed comparison including pricing, see our [guide to private vs. individual vs. communal cremation].

You may also be asked: flame cremation or aquamation (water cremation)? Most GTHA providers use flame cremation. Aquamation is available through providers like Tails Farewell, Heart With Wings, and Pet Aquamation. Both produce the same end result — ashes in an urn. For more on the differences, see our [guide to aquamation vs. flame cremation].

Step 3: What to Do With Your Pet's Body

If your pet dies at the vet or emergency hospital

The clinic will hold your pet's body until the cremation provider picks up. If you've chosen to arrange cremation yourself (rather than through the vet), let the clinic know: "We've made our own cremation arrangements. [Provider name] will be picking up." The provider handles the rest.

If your pet dies at home

This is the scenario most people aren't prepared for. Here's what to do:

In the first hour. Gently position your pet in a natural, curled posture — rigor mortis can set in within a few hours, so doing this sooner is easier. Clean any visible fluids with a towel.

Wrapping. Place your pet on a towel or blanket. If pickup won't happen immediately, wrap them in the towel and place them in a heavy-duty plastic bag (doubled if possible). Label with your pet's name.

Keeping them cool. If the cremation provider can't pick up right away, keep your pet in the coolest room available — a garage, basement, or room with the air conditioning turned down. This slows natural changes and keeps your pet comfortable to be near until pickup.

Contact the cremation provider. Call or go online to arrange pickup. Most providers will ask for your pet's name, species, approximate weight, your address, and when you'd like pickup to happen.

At Florence, you can arrange pickup online 24/7. Our team is available for pickup 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, from anywhere in the GTHA. Some families want pickup as quickly as possible; others want time to sit with their pet and say goodbye. We'll coordinate a time that works for you.

For detailed guidance on how long you can safely wait, see our [guide to keeping a deceased pet before cremation].

Step 4: Paperwork and Authorization

Expect to sign a cremation authorization form — either on paper or digitally. This typically covers:

• Your name and contact information
• Your pet's name, species, breed, and approximate weight
• The type of cremation you've chosen (communal, individual, or private)
• Whether you want ashes returned
• Acknowledgment of what happens to communal ashes (scattering/burial)
• Any special requests (paw prints, fur clippings, rush service)

At Florence, this is all handled online. You review the details, sign electronically, and pay — from your couch, at any hour. No printed forms, no waiting for office hours.

Step 5: Choose an Urn and Keepsakes

You don't have to decide this immediately. Most providers include a basic urn or container with private cremation. If you want something different, you can upgrade at the time of arrangement or order a separate urn later and transfer the ashes yourself.

Common options include wood boxes, ceramic urns, metal urns, scatter tubes (for families planning to scatter ashes), and keepsake jewellery that holds a small amount of ash.

Keepsakes that need to happen before cremation: ink or clay paw prints and fur or whisker clippings must be arranged before the cremation takes place. If these matter to you, mention them when you make arrangements — not after.

At Florence, every private cremation includes a basic urn and ink paw print. No add-on decisions required unless you want something beyond the standard inclusions.

Step 6: The Wait

After pickup, your pet is transported to the cremation facility. Here's what happens during the waiting period:

Typical turnaround: 7–14 business days from pickup to ashes ready, depending on the provider. At Florence, standard turnaround is 7–10 business days. Rush service (24–48 hours) is available for +$100.

What's happening during this time: your pet is held in a clean, refrigerated area until their scheduled cremation. After cremation, ashes are cooled, processed, placed in the urn, and paired with documentation. For a full walkthrough of the process, see our [guide to how pet cremation works].

Communication during the wait varies widely between providers. Most don't proactively update you — you won't hear anything until ashes are ready. At Florence, you'll receive automated text updates at each stage: pickup confirmed, arrival at facility, cremation complete, ashes ready.

Step 7: Receiving Ashes

For private or individual cremation, you'll receive your pet's ashes in an urn or container, along with a cremation certificate. You'll either pick them up at the crematorium or have them delivered.

At Florence, you can pick up ashes at the crematorium for free, or have them delivered to your home for +$99.

For communal cremation, no ashes are returned. Remains are respectfully scattered by the provider. You may receive a certificate confirming the cremation took place.

Once you have the ashes, there's no rush to decide what to do with them. For ideas and practical guidance — including scattering, planting, keepsakes, and what the ashes look and feel like — see our [guide to what to do with pet ashes].

A Simple Checklist

Here's everything above, condensed:

1. Choose your provider (vet-arranged or direct)
2. Choose cremation type (communal, individual, or private)
3. Arrange pickup or transport
4. Sign authorization and pay
5. Request any keepsakes that need to happen before cremation (paw prints, fur clippings)
6. Choose an urn (now or later)
7. Wait for ashes and plan any memorial or scattering

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I arrange pet cremation online? At some providers, yes. At Florence, you can complete the entire process online — details, authorization, payment, and pickup scheduling — without a phone call, at any time of day. Many other GTHA providers require a phone call or email to get started.

How much does pet cremation cost? In the GTHA, communal cremation runs $65–$500 and private cremation runs $250–$720, depending on your pet's size and the provider. For a complete breakdown, see our [GTHA pet cremation pricing guide].

Do I need to bring my pet to the crematorium? No — most providers offer pickup from your home, vet clinic, or emergency hospital. At Florence, pickup anywhere in the GTHA is included in every cremation at no extra charge.

Can I arrange cremation before my pet dies? Yes. If your pet is elderly or ill, you can research providers, choose your preferences, and even pre-register so that when the time comes, one call or one online form is all it takes.

What if my pet dies in the middle of the night? At Florence, you can start the arrangement process online 24/7. Pickup is available 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. If your pet passes overnight, you can complete the online arrangement immediately and we'll coordinate pickup first thing in the morning.

What if I don't know my pet's exact weight? Your vet will have your pet's weight on file from their last visit. If you don't have access to that, an estimate is usually fine — most providers have some flexibility within their weight tiers. At Florence, you just need to know whether your pet is under or over 25 lbs.