Water-Based Cremation:
Planning, Procedure & Pricing
If Your Pet Passes at Home
If your sweet pet has passed at home, we extended our condolences.
We know that pets are most often members of the family who are dearly loved.
If your pet has passed at home, this link provides additional information on the steps you can take.
If it is after-hours, we will be able to assist when we open in the morning.
Planning Ahead
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Families who arrange an in-home euthanasia with Paws Finding Peace can be comforted in knowing their angel never leaves our care.
We welcome pet parents who have a pet who passes at home or is euthanized at a veterinary clinic to bring your angel to our aftercare center for water-based cremation. Please call us first to make arrangements.
You can call us at 413-327-5077 or text us and we can give you a call.
If you would prefer to fill out this water-based cremation request form on-line, we can follow up with a phone call.
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Water-Based Cremation
Water-based cremation is also known as aqua-cremation, aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis. This method of aftercare is common in the western US - especially in communities with strong ties to the environmental movement. Water-based cremation made international headlines in 2021 when Desmond Tutu opted to continue his legacy as a champion of the environment by opting for aqua-cremation. Aquamation has zero air emissions and uses only 10% of fossil fuels needed for traditional fire-based cremation. This process uses gently flowing water, salts and slightly elevated temperature. With fire-based cremation, the "ashes" you receive back are actually your pet's bones. With water-based cremation, you also receive your pet's bones returned as "ashes". Since water-based cremation is a very gentle process, you will receive more ashes than with traditional cremation and the ashes are generally whiter in color. We are here to discuss any questions you may have about this process.
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With private cremation, your pet is placed in their own aquamation compartment.
The aquamation machine has several compartments which separates each pet and assures you are getting your beloved pet's ashes returned to you.
We use a tracking software system which assigns a QR code to your beloved angel. Your pet also receives a stainless steel aquamation tag with an identification number. This ID tag will stay with your pet throughout the process and will be inside the urn with their ashes. Your pet's ashes are enclosed in a bag inside the urn, so you always have safe access to their ashes.We take great care to ensure that you always receive your pet's ashes.
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We will let you know when your beloved pet's ashes are ready for pick up at our office in Chicopee.
Ashes are generally returned to pet families in 5-10 days.
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With communal cremation, ashes are not returned to the pet family.
A portion of ashes from communal cremations are spread at the beautiful
Hillside Acre Animal Cemetery at Nevins Farm, owned and operated by the MSPCA.
The remaining communal ashes are spread at sea.
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Cremation Pricing
Private Cremation
Ashes are returned to you
up to 15 lbs: $220
16 - 49 lbs: $270
50 - 89 lbs: $320
90 - 125 lbs: $370
126 - 175 lbs: $420
Over 175 lbs - call for pricing & availability
Private cremation includes a memorial package (clay paw print, glass jar with a lock of fur and an ink paw print).
Ashes are returned in a clasp urn your choice of color (merlot, harvest or aspen) or the carved Tree of Life urn -
An additional urn can be purchased for $25.
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Communal Cremation
Ashes are not returned
up to 15 lbs: $120
16 - 49 lbs: $170
50 - 89 lbs: $220
90 -125 lbs: $270
126 - 175 lbs: $320
Over 175 lbs - call for pricing & availability
Memorial products are available for purchase with communal cremation.
If you are using our at-home euthanasia service, memorial products are included.
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Memorial Keepsakes
Memorial packages can purchased for $50 each
This includes a clay paw print, fur lock in glass keepsake and ink prints
(Ink prints are made on card stock)
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Individual Memorial items
Framed ink print: $50
Clay paw print: $25
Fur lock in glass keepsake jar: $10
Whiskers in glass keepsake jar: $10
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Please note: all memorial products are made by our staff with love,
they may be abstract and will be unique to your pet.
We hope that you cherish your pet's unique memorial items.
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Additional Memorial Items and Jewelry
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We will have a selection of specialty urns and cremation jewelry for purchase in our
aftercare center in Chicopee, MA.
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We are proud to be members of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories.