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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 cremation and aquamation to provide pet owners with options that align with their values and preferences. Aquamation is a gentle, eco-friendly alternative that uses water instead of fire, while cremation remains a trusted and familiar choice. Please note: Aquamation will be available soon in Auckland. In the meantime, cremation services are fully available across the South Island.

You can arrange either option via your veterinary clinic. Veterinary clinic staff will arrange everything with us on your behalf, including payment.

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 cremation or aquamation, you will receive your pet’s ashes in an urn or keepsake of your choice. With aquamation, 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 aquamation

Aquamation is a natural, water-based process that provides a more eco-friendly farewell. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, aquamation 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.

Unlike cremation, which uses fire and high temperatures, aquamation 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, aquamation returns more ashes to pet owners.

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

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 Aquamation journey.

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.

By requesting our service through your veterinary provider.

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 no you cannot. 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.