Having a pet is an incomparable and enriching experience – but their lifespan is unfortunately much shorter than ours. The truth is, many of us will have to deal with the tragic passing of our beloved pets.
It’s important to allow yourself some time to grieve over the loss of your fur-kid, but there are duties you need to take note of during this tough period as well. Here is compiled list of everything Singaporeans need to know and do when a pet passes away:
The guidelines for dealing with your pet’s body varies depending on its size. For small pets like hamsters, rabbits and fish, their bodies can actually be put in a black refuse bag and disposed of together with general waste in the bin. Otherwise, cremation ceremonies are available for those who’d prefer to bid their furbabies a proper goodbye.
Not many would have the heart to toss their dog or cat down the chute in the first place, but did you know that it is actually against NEA’s guidelines as well? According to their waste disposal guidelines, larger animals like cats and dogs have to be sent to a commercial animal crematorium.
Some people have also attempted to drop their deceased pets off at waste incineration sites for an alternative form of cremation. For those wondering if that can be done, the answer is no, as the plants are designed to only take in waste from the refuse trucks.
Image credit: @noorulzaman via Instagram
It would be magical if our pets could leave this world in a beautiful glow of sparkles as they do in fairy tales. But in real life, we have to acknowledge that a deceased pet’s physical body remains after it passes and has to be cremated as soon as possible in a proper, responsible manner.
The 3 main types of cremation available are:
If your pet passes on at the vet, through euthanasia or otherwise, most clinics will offer to contact a cremation service so you won’t have to do it yourself.
Image credit: Paws To Heaven via Facebook
One of the most common methods is sea scattering, where the ashes will be released at sea. Available at most crematoria, this is a good option for those who prefer to let their pets’ remains return to the circle of life.
Those who have opted for individual or private cremation will also have the option to keep the ashes in an urn to display at home, or store it at an animal columbarium. In recent years, there has also been a rising trend of turning the ashes into wearable trinkets, which may appeal to those who like to keep the memories close.
The open-space and airy Sanctuary Pet Cremation offers a pleasant and calming environment to see your pet off on their final journey. You don’t have to worry about transporting your pet to the crematorium as well, as they provide pet collection services from 8am-12am daily, for all sorts of animals from tiny gerbils to 40KG dogs.
For those who need more time to come to terms with the death, they provide mortuary cold storage at no extra cost. This will store the body proper for a few extra days before the cremation process.
Types of cremation offered: Private and communal
Price: From $140 for communal cremation and $280 for private cremation for a pocket-sized pet
Image credit: Paws to Heaven via Facebook
To give your pet a grand send-off, the cremation packages offered at Paws to Heaven encompass everything you could possibly need. This includes thorough cleaning of your pet, providing an urn for the ashes and a memorial set up for family and friends to give their final wishes.
Image credit: Paws To Heaven via Facebook
Of the few crematoriums that offer the services of turning ash into keepsakes, Paws to Heaven has the most variety designs available. Options include various pendants and bracelets (from $138) which store bits of cremated ashes, so you can keep your beloved pets close to heart.
Type of cremation offered: Private only
Price: From $180
Pet owners who frequently send their pets for grooming might be familiar with Pet Grooming Xpert – but not many know that they offer private cremation services as well.
For those who’d like to make their pet’s urns one of a kind, you can do so here through an emblazoned picture. The sea scattering option is also available if you prefer to return the ashes to nature.
Type of cremation offered: Mainly private. Other cremation services may be arranged.
Price: Varies – contact the crematorium to find out more.
Address: 7500A Beach Road, The Plaza #05-319, Singapore 199591
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Sat 10am-2pm (Closed on Sundays)
Telephone: 8417 1368
Image credit: Mandai Pets Sanctuary via Facebook
Mandai Pets Sanctuary offers a wide range of cremation ceremonies – namely private, individual and communal – so you can pick whichever best suits your needs. Those tight on budget will be glad to know that prices for communal cremation begin from just $50 for small animals.
Image credit: Mandai Pets Sanctuary
Urns and keepsakes aside, they also have a columbarium where pet owners can reserve a space to display their pet’s urn. This comes with plenty of extra space for displaying additional things, like its favourite toys and best pictures.
Types of cremation offered: Private, individual and communal
Price: From $50 for communal cremation for small animals
Mobile Pet Cremation Services offers a diverse range of 24-hour cremation services. Give them a call the moment your pet passes and they’ll get everything settled, including reserving your pet a space in their in-house columbarium.
Other than cats and dogs, they’ve also dealt with less-common pets like guinea pigs, birds and even turtles, so pets of all shapes and sizes will be in experienced hands.
Types of cremation offered: Private and communal
Price: Varies – contact the crematorium to find out more
Image adapted from: Rainbow Paradise via Facebook
Rainbow Paradise, with its whimsical name and minimalistic decor, is a simple and fuss-free place to see your pet off to animal heaven.
On top of dealing with animals of all sizes from palm-sized pets to pets over 40kg, they have customisable urns you can design to take home. If you prefer something wearable, they are also able to convert ashes to a memorial necklace complete with a matching pendant.
Type of cremation offered: Private only
Price: From $168 for a palm-sized pet
Pet Cremators SG is another establishment which offers all 3 types of pet cremations to suit your needs. They even go the extra mile by providing additional services to make sure your beloved pet gets the sendoff it deserves. These include photo and video service to immortalise precious memories, as well as allowing you to house your pet’s ashes in their columbarium.
Apart from chartering boats out to sea for ash scattering ceremonies, Pet Cremators SG can also arrange special memorial services at sea for up to 12 people.
Type of cremation offered: Private, individual and communal
Price: Varies – contact the crematorium to find out more
Head to the official Animal and Veterinary Service site upon the passing of your pet to submit the death certificate and cancel the license and annual fees.
Saying goodbye to your pet can be as painful as losing a family member, but what’s important is knowing that it led a happy life. If you’d like to fill the hole in your heart sometime in the future, consider adopting from one of the many animal shelters in Singapore to give another furry-being a new lease of life.
Read our other pet-related articles below:
Cover image adapted from: Sanctuary Pet Cremation & Paws To Heaven via Facebook
Originally published by Kezia Tan on 13th July 2021. Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 20th July 2024.
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