Frequent Questions

There are three main types of cremation for pets: communal, partitioned, and private. 

  1. Communal cremation: multiple pets are cremated together, ashes are not returned to the owner, but are often scattered in a designed area or buried communally.
  2. Partitioned cremation: several pets in the same chamber but with partitions separating them, allowing for ashes to be returned, but with some mixing of ashes.
  3. Private cremation: each pet is cremated alone in the chamber, ensuring the return of the individual pet's ashes.

Over 70% of American families own pets and over 90% of those families choose cremation for their pets when they pass away. Why?

  • It's more environmentally friendly than burial
  • There's flexibility with ashes; they can be kept in an urn or put into jewelry, they're portable, etc.
  • The timing for a memorial or service isn't based on a burial; you can wait until you're ready
  • It's hygienic; there's no odor due to decomposition 

If you're at the vet:

Most families bring their deceased pets to our location; however, we can pick up your beloved pet at your veterinarian’s office or home. Our transportation fees are:

  • $75 fee within 10 miles of our location in Hastings, Minnesota.
  • $95 fee within 11-20 miles of our location
  • $115 fee within 21-30 miles of our location
  • Beyond the 30 mile radius will be charged additional $4/mile.

Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your pet passes away after hours or on a weekend, please contact us at 651-318-4020 and we will accommodate you as soon as possible. 


If you're at home:

First, make sure your pet is truly deceased. Check for breathing, heartbeat and movement. Many things slow down before death, especially in aging animals.


Second, call your vet and let them know. They can help confirm the death and offer guidance or next steps, if needed.


Third, place the body in a cool, dry area to slow down the decomposition process.

Then contact River Valley Pet Cremation at 651-318-4020. We will arrange for you to bring in your pet or we will pick up. Find our transportation fees above. Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your pet passes away after hours or on a weekend, please contact us at 651-318-4020 and we will accommodate you as soon as possible. 

If we pick up your pet from your veterinarian's office, your pet will be placed in a private area in our cooler until we meet with you and a private cremation package has been chosen.


If you choose to bring in your pet, you will have time to sit with your pet in our Comfort Room and say your final goodbyes before we place it in the cooler. After that, we will meet with you in the Memorial Room to discuss our private pet cremation packages. View our packages HERE.


The signed Cremation Authorization Form must be received before the cremation process begins. Payments can be made by cash or check, or online HERE.


There is a 3% processing fee for all online payments.

Your pet's body will be removed from the cooler where it has been stored, then we will remove its collar or tag before it is placed in our cremation chamber dedicated for pets. The chamber is heated to 1,600-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and the extreme heat vaporizes the organic matter and reduces your pet's remains to ashes. 


When the ashes cool, any surgical equipment (pins, plates, or joints) are removed and any larger materials that haven't reduced, such as bone, will be turned into a powder and combined with the rest of your pet's ashes. The ashes are placed in a plastic bag that is put into an urn. 


Different packages come with different urns. We have many other urns available for purchase. See our packages HERE.

Your pet’s cremated remains will be available to pick up at our location the next day* (Monday-Friday) at no charge. If you prefer, we can mail the cremated remains via U.S. Postal Service. Extra fees will apply based on the size and weight of the package and travel distance. Delivery date by U.S. Postal Service cannot be guaranteed.


*Time frame of cremation completion can be lengthened due to certain situations including, but not limited to;

  • Your pet coming into our care after 4 p.m.
  • Your vet clinic is closed before we can bring your pet into our care (ex. weekends, holidays, etc.)
  • Weekend deaths

Please confirm with our staff as to when you can expect your pet’s cremated remains.

Out of respect for the crucial roles they play in assisting individuals and law enforcement, we are honored to offer our standard private pet cremation package at no charge to: 

  • Guide dogs and service dogs (ADA definition: dogs of any breed or size who are trained to perform a task directly related to a person's disability) 
  • Active or retired military dogs
  • K9 units
  • Detection dogs

At this time, we are not able to provide free service to ESA or companion animals. 


Owners may pay to upgrade to any other package. See package options HERE.

Definitely. Visit our Grief Support page for resources.