Immediate Need

First, please accept our condolences on the loss of your beloved pet. Losing a pet is like losing a family member, and you'll want to care for them the same way. Private pet cremation offers peace of mind and comfort by guaranteeing that the ashes you receive are exclusively your pet's, providing a personalized way to memorialize them. With private cremation, your pet is cremated individually at our private, on-site crematory. This exclusivity give you the reassurance and personal experience you need to help say goodbye to your beloved companion. You may witness the cremation if you wish, and our cremation packages can help you customize the experience even more.

1.  If Your Pet Passed Away at Home

Place their 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 your pet to our location in Hastings, Minnesota, if you are able to do so during business hours. If you wish to have some final precious moments with your pet to say goodbye, we have a comfort room for this purpose. If you would like to have us pick up your pet, see our transportation fees below.

• $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.

Please continue to step #3.

2.  If Your Pet Passed Away at Your Veterinarian's Office

Have your vet contact us at 651-318-4020. We can transport your pet from there with no transportation fees. Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your pet passed away after hours or on a weekend, call us at the number above and we will accommodate you as soon as possible.

3.  The Next Steps

Again, we are so sorry for your loss. We're pet owners too and we understand the enormity of this situation. After you have taken the first difficult steps to contact us and arrange for your pet to arrive here, we can help you make further arrangements that honor them.

2.  Choose a cremation package HERE.

3.  Fill out and return the Cremation Authorization Form.

4.  Make Your Payment (private cremation cannot occur until the signed form and payment have been received.)

6.  Email us a photo and pet tribute to post on our website and Facebook page. We will forward the link to you to share as you wish. For help writing a tribute, click here.

6.  River Valley Pet Cremation or your veterinarian will contact you when your beloved companion's cremated remains are ready for pickup, typically within 1-2 days.

7.  Any follow-up for keepsakes or packages will occur as needed.

Find more FAQ about the cremation process and more HERE. Please email us with any questions.