Pets dying at home is a deeply emotional experience and it can be particularly challenging to know what to do next. Coping with the loss of a cherished companion while navigating the practicalities of handling their remains requires sensitivity, compassion, and understanding. Here are some steps to consider if your pet dies at home:

1. Take a Moment: Allow yourself time to process your emotions and say goodbye to your pet. It’s natural to feel a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, and even shock.
2. Contact your local Vet: Contact a veterinarian for guidance and support. They can offer advice on what to do next and may be able to provide assistance with handling your pet’s body. Many vet clinics offer after-hours services or can recommend local resources for pet owners dealing with loss.
3. Prepare your Pet’s Body: If you feel comfortable doing so, gently wrap your pet’s body in a clean blanket or towel. This act of care and reverence can help you come to terms with their passing. This may be a good moment to let other pets sniff and say goodbye. Children can also see the pet and say goodbye if the pet died of natural causes and is not too disfigured.
4. Consider your Options: Depending on your financial situation your options include taking your pet to a local welfare to have them communally cremated. Or you may take your pet to your vet and order a Return of Ashes from Legacy Pet. Some owners may wait until business hours to avoid the after-hours cost. You may also contact us directly to find out about a pet collection and private cremation.
5. Seek Support: Losing a pet can be a profoundly lonely experience, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to friends, family members, or support groups for comfort and understanding. Don’t feel embarrassed or silly that you’re taking it so hard. Losing any Loved One is hard.
6. Take Care of Yourself: Remember to look after yourself, eat nutritious meals, get plenty of rest and engage in activities that bring you comfort and solace. It’s okay to take things one day at a time and to allow yourself to experience all the emotions that come with loss.

Losing a pet is never easy, but by taking these steps and allowing yourself the space to grieve, you can honour your pet’s memory and find healing in the midst of sorrow. Your pet may no longer be physically with you, but their love and companionship will live on in your heart forever.

Here at Legacy, it is our honour to take care of the necessary details so you are free to grieve the loss of your faithful pet. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

We are passionate about animals and their purpose in our lives. Cremation is a necessary part of the process of loss, but cremation with dignity, integrity and compassion is peace of mind. We are committed to serving you in your grief.

Legacy Pet offers pet cremation and pet memorial products which serve as a way to process grief.  You may choose between two types of cremation: communal or individual.

The cost will depend on the size of your pet and the urn or casket that you choose if you are getting a Return of Ashes.  Please order your pet’s cremation through your vet. If your pet has died at home, the best option is to take them to your local vet and order a cremation through them.

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