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Frequently asked questions


Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. Our FAQs offer guidance to help you navigate this difficult time with care and clarity. If you need further support, we’re here for you.

General questions

We offer both traditional flame cremation and water cremation to provide pet owners with options that align with their values and preferences. Water cremation is a gentle, eco-friendly alternative that uses water instead of fire, while cremation remains a trusted and familiar choice. Please note: Water cremation is available in Auckland and flame cremation services are available in the South Island.

In most cases, your veterinary clinic will arrange this for you and manage all bookings and payment directly with us. If going through your clinic isn’t practical, a limited direct drop-off service is available in Christchurch by enquiry. Please contact us to learn more.

Some pet insurance providers offer coverage for cremation services as part of their policies. If you have pet insurance, we recommend checking your policy details or contacting your provider directly to confirm whether cremation services are included.

Whether you choose flame or water cremation you will receive your pet’s ashes in an urn or keepsake of your choice. With water cremation, pet owners often receive more ashes compared to traditional cremation.

Your pet will be cremated individually in a chamber ensuring complete separation from other pets. We maintain strict identification protocols throughout the entire process to guarantee that you receive only your pet’s ashes, with no risk of cross-contamination.

Absolutely! We guarantee 100% that you will receive your own pet’s ashes. Our long-standing commitment to professional standards and quality care ensures this. Since 1986, we have taken pride in this assurance.

Cremations are performed 5 days per week, Monday – Friday.

The average waiting time for the return of ashes is 3-5 working days, depending on the service required. Your pet’s ashes will be returned to your veterinary clinic for collection, or they will arrange to courier them to you.

We have daily pick-ups from our veterinary partners and will deliver the ashes back to the vet for pick up.

Yes, we can put the ashes of your pet in any suitable urn that you supply to your vet.

About memorial products

Yes, absolutely. We appreciate that this might not be something ou think of during the stressful time of saying goodbye to your friend. We are more than happy to arrange this for you any time after cremation, even if you didn't arrange your cremation through us. Simply contact us using the link on the right and we can discuss your options.

Yes, absolutely. We appreciate that over time urns may require replacing and are more than happy to arrange this for you. Simply contact us using the link on the right and we can discuss your options.

As a rough guide, pets smaller than 10kg will use a small urn, pets 11-50kg will need a large urn, and those over 50kg will need an XL. Please note, this is only a rough guide - the volume of ashes produced can vary depending on bone density and other factors.

Unfortunately, no. Since we need to make a mould of your pet's foot first, Bronze Paws must be ordered prior to cremation taking place.

About water cremation

Water cremation is a natural, water-based process that provides an eco-friendlier farewell. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis or aquamation, water cremation uses water instead of fire to return your pet to nature gently. This process uses 90% less energy than cremation, with no harmful emissions, making it a kinder choice for both your pet and the planet.

By requesting our service through your veterinary provider.

Unlike flame cremation, which uses fire and high temperatures, water cremation is a softer process that uses warm water and alkali to naturally break down remains. It is also eco-friendly, using 90% less energy and producing no harmful emissions. Additionally, water cremation returns more ashes to pet owners.

Yes! Water cremation is one of the most sustainable pet aftercare options available. It produces no air pollution, avoids the carbon emissions associated with cremation, and leaves only a sterile, nutrient-rich water solution that is safely returned to the environment.

The process typically takes around 10 hours depending on the size of the pet. We aim to get your pet returned to you within 3-5 working days.

Your pet will be lovingly stored in a cool store awaiting its water cremation journey.

The liquid produced is simply water and minerals. It is safely neutralised and processed through a local wastewater system.

Based on published data and our operational experience, we have estimated the carbon footprint of wastewater from the water cremation process. Each compartment generates only 20–25 litres of wastewater — similar to flushing a household toilet a few times. This water is not discharged untreated. It is removed by an ISO-certified processor operating under recognised environmental standards, blended and pre-treated if required, then processed through a wastewater treatment plant. Treating one cubic metre of wastewater produces around 0.5 to 1.1 kg of CO₂-equivalent emissions. Applied to our volumes, that equates to roughly 10–30 grams of CO₂ per compartment — less than the footprint of making a single cup of black coffee. By comparison, flame cremation typically consumes enough LPG to generate tens of kilograms of CO₂ per animal. Treating water cremation wastewater therefore has over a thousand times lower carbon impact than burning fuel in a traditional cremator.

Yes, the ash remains are safe to handle. The process will sterilise the remains.

The ashes from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, along with some ash from the cremation box or casket, clothing, and anything else that may have been placed in the process with the body. The ashes from water cremation are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the "ash". The ash colour from a flame process is typically grey whereas the ash colour from water cremation is anywhere from white to tan.

About cremation

Cremation is a process that uses heat and flame to reduce a pet’s remains to ashes. Your pet is respectfully placed in a cremation chamber, where high temperatures ensure a thorough process. The ashes are then carefully collected and returned in an urn or keepsake of your choice.

Unfortunately no, strict resource consent and environmental rules do not allow us to cremate anything other than your pet.

Yes. Some pet owners initially choose to bury their pets but then circumstances change and they wish to have their pet cremated.

The cost of cremation varies depending on the size/weight of your pet and the service you require. Please contact your veterinary clinic for pricing relevant to your pet.

Unfortunately, due to safety and resource management regulations it is not possible for owners to attend cremations.

No, microchips are fine. However if your pet has had a pace maker fitted, please ensure you let us know as this will need to be removed before cremation.