Pet Cremation

Handling My Deceased Pet’s Remains

When your pet dies at home and you’re faced with handling their remains, you need to to take immediate action once you’ve contacted a pet aftercare professional in your area (search PetAftercare.US). A common question that pet owners ask; “what do I do with my pet’s body?” or “how do I handle my deceased pet’s remains?” and “what to do with your pet’s remains after death”.

Tips for handling your deceased pet’s remains;

Wear gloves and protective clothing to prevent the spread of disease causing bacteria and germs. If you suspect that your pet has died due to an infectious disease, contact a veterinarian or pet aftercare professional before handling your deceased pet’s remains. (see also Canine Parvovirus and protecting other household pets)
Clean away any fluids that may be present on your pet’s body and thoroughly clean the area once your pet’s remains have been removed.
Use a bed sheet to tightly wrap your pet’s body and position the body in a curled, natural sleeping positions before the body stiffens due to rigor mortis (sometimes within ten minutes).
Place your pet’s wrapped body into a plastic bag, seal it and then place that bag into a large plastic bag and seal it.
Your pet’s wrapped and sealed remains should be placed in a cool, dry place as soon as possible and preferably placed in a freezer or refrigerator. Keeping your pet’s body dry while keeping them cool is imperative. If there is an extended wait period before pickup and transportation, placing the body on a bed of ice that has been wrapped and sealed and covered with a towel is an effective way of keeping your pet’s remains cool and dry.
Place a label on the bag that identifies your pet and include your contact information. A Pet Aftercare professional will label or tag the bag during pet pickup. You should make certain that their tag matches your correct information.
Once your pet’s remains have been removed, clean and disinfect the area and discard all materials used.