What to do with your pet's body after they die

First, take your time

Nothing forces you to act in the very next second. You can stay a while with your pet and say goodbye at your own pace. None of what follows is a race: the decisions can wait a few hours, the time it takes to find your feet again.

Keeping the body in the meantime

If you need time before arranging what comes next, the key is to keep the body cool: a cool room, a garage, wrapped in a blanket or a sheet. For a longer delay, refrigeration is better (do not freeze). In practice, it's best to arrange cremation or burial within a day or two; beyond that, keeping the body becomes difficult. And if handling the body is too hard for you, that is entirely normal: your vet or a pet funeral service can take care of absolutely everything.

Who to contact

The first instinct: your vet. They will guide you, can keep the body while you decide, and arrange collection with a crematorium. At night, on weekends or on holidays, call an emergency veterinary clinic. You can also contact a pet crematorium or pet funeral service directly. If the death was sudden or suspicious (possible poisoning, a hazard to other pets), call an emergency vet without delay.

The two main options

Once the first moment has passed, two main paths open up: cremation or burial. Neither is "better" than the other; it's a matter of meaning, of what's possible, and of budget. The choice is entirely yours.

Cremation: individual or communal

This is the key distinction:

• Individual cremation (also called private): your pet is cremated alone, and their ashes are returned to you, in an urn of your choosing, often within a few days.
• Communal cremation (or group): several animals are cremated together and the ashes are not returned; some crematoriums scatter them in a garden of remembrance you may be able to visit.

Don't hesitate to ask for an itemised quote: prices vary with the animal's size and the services, and going directly to a crematorium is often cheaper than going through the clinic.

Burial

Burying a pet in your garden is allowed in many places, but under conditions that vary by country and municipality (sufficient depth, distance from water, the animal's weight, sometimes a permit). Check with your town hall or your vet first. Note: after euthanasia, the products used can be harmful to wildlife, so cremation is often recommended in that case. There are also pet cemeteries, for a maintained resting place.

Children, other pets

If children share your home, involving them in this moment, in a way suited to their age, helps them understand — here is how to talk to them about it. Letting the household's other animals approach the body can also help them grasp the absence.

A tribute, whatever you choose

Whatever path you choose for the body, it doesn't tell the whole of who they were. That is where AmiAmor comes in: a page in their memory, a photo, a few words, a candle — a gentle place to honour a life, once the practical steps are behind you. Many owners also find in it an echo of the Rainbow Bridge.

Frequently asked questions

How long can the body stay at home?

Ideally, arrange what comes next within a day or two. Keep the body cool meanwhile; for any delay, refrigerate (don't freeze). Your vet can also keep it for you.

What's the difference between individual and communal cremation?

Individual: the pet is alone and you get their ashes back. Communal: several animals together, with no ashes returned.

Can I bury my pet in my garden?

Often yes, under conditions that depend on your country and municipality. Check with your town hall or vet, and note that cremation is generally advised after euthanasia.

Who do I call if my pet dies at night?

An emergency veterinary clinic, or a pet crematorium/funeral service directly. Meanwhile, keep the body in a cool place.