Do Pet Crematoriums Really Do Individual Cremations? What I Learned After Losing My Dog

I knew I wanted her cremated, but only if it was just her. Not her ashes mixed in with other pets. I wanted to know, without a doubt, that what I’d be bringing home in that urn was truly Daisy.

So, I started asking around—friends, local vets, even a couple of Reddit threads—and here’s what I found.

Yes, Individual Cremation Is Real—But It’s Not Always What You Think

The term “individual cremation” gets tossed around a lot. In some places, it means literally one pet at a time, in a clean chamber, no contact with any other remains. But others? They might use dividers to cremate multiple animals simultaneously. That’s technically “separate,” but… not really.

I realized quickly: if it mattered to me (and it did), I had to be specific. Ask for “private” or “true individual” cremation. And not just ask—make sure they could explain what that actually looks like, step by step.

What I Asked Before Making a Decision

Here’s what helped me figure out who I could trust:

• “Is my pet alone in the chamber?”
  Don’t accept vague phrases like “partitioned” or “compartmentalized.” Ask for photos of their setup, if you’re unsure.

• “Can I be there?”
  Some crematoriums offer the option to witness the process. I didn’t end up doing that, but the fact that they were open to it said a lot.

• “How do you track my pet’s remains?”
  Reputable places tag each pet with a metal ID disc from intake to urn.

• “How long does the process take?”
  If they promise ashes back the same day without offering witnessed cremation, something’s off.

My Experience in Austin

After a few phone calls (and honestly, a couple of weird interactions), I found a small family-run crematorium not far from my house in Austin. They were patient with all my questions. They even offered to let me bring Daisy myself—wrapped in her blanket—and explained how they’d handle her with care.

They showed me the private chamber, tagged her remains with a disc, and gave me a time estimate. A week later, I picked up her ashes in a beautifully carved box with her name on it. There was also a tiny clay paw print that I hadn’t asked for, but I cried when I saw it.

It helped. More than I expected.

Types of Cremation: Know What You’re Paying For

Be sure the language matches your expectations. “Individual” doesn’t always mean alone unless you confirm it.

How Much It Costs (Based on My Research)

Prices vary by region and pet size, but here’s what I saw:

• Small pets (under 30 lbs): around $150–$250

• Medium pets (30–70 lbs): $200–$300

• Large pets (70 lbs and up): $250–$400

• Communal cremation: cheaper, $50–$100, but you don’t get ashes back.

Add-ons like paw prints, fur clippings, or custom urns may cost extra—but honestly, I’m glad I said yes to the paw print.

Watch Out for These Red Flags

• They won’t explain their process clearly.

• No tagging system or proof of tracking.

• They discourage visits or won’t show photos of the facility.

• Prices seem “too good to be true.”

• They promise same-day ashes without a witness option.

Grief makes us vulnerable, and some businesses, sadly, take advantage of that. Trust your gut.

Caution:

All sets and words, their eyes only money!!!!

The family raised more than ten years of the dog died of serious illness, the pet hospital happened to have a cooperative funeral cremation store, thought to send to the cremation, but did not think that the back is all set.

At the beginning of the pet hospital paid 1000 cremation fee, said the cost is included in it, and then wait for the cremation store to come to pick up, but to the store and have additional costs. Originally the dog is gone is very sad, the shopkeeper casually comfort a few sentences began to take advantage of the situation to sell what pet cemetery, temple pet tablets, pet rituals, funeral products, souvenirs, to give the dog a decent funeral, every step of the way is to ask for money. At that time immersed in grief also did not think much, each item paid another 2500, now back to react.

Charge is not the point, the key is to collect money is not on. Dog cremation video also only give you into the cremation furnace shot more than ten seconds and open the furnace a few seconds, the urn is not filled with their own dog's ashes do not know. I wanted to take the ashes back after the cremation, but the clerk just won't let you take them away, fooling you by saying that you have to put the ashes in their store to stop the spirit (at first, they said they would put them in the store for 100 days). Originally also bought a sacrificial offerings, the clerk directly charge me seven days of sacrificial offerings of money, plus let pick the high price of the urn, also do not want to bother, said that will be sent every day to burn sacrificial offerings of the video to me, but also many times to ask before sending the video. Additional purchase of paw print memorial frame was originally stuffed with a good photo to follow the urn with the store to stop the spirit, the results of the seventh day I went to pick up the ashes when the photo did not print out, seven days of time even a photo did not print! Extremely perfunctory! Not taken seriously at all!!!

They just take advantage of the fact that you treat your pets like family to squeeze every penny out of them!!!!

Seriously why not treat your dog well while it's alive and find a local animal cruelty center when it passes away, better than this shady cremation store!!!!