It’s never easy to lose a beloved pet, no matter how long they’ve been with you. If your cat has recently passed away, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences. One issue you’ll need to resolve is what to do with your precious pet’s remains. Today, many pet parents are choosing cremation. The cost to cremate a cat can vary widely depending on factors such as location, type of cremation (individual or communal), and additional services, but it typically ranges from $50 to $150 or more.
Keep reading as we examine the cost of cremating a cat in detail, including any additional costs or services that usually go hand-in-hand with the process.
The Importance of Cat Cremation
There are, to be sure, several ways to handle your cat’s remains. Pet cemeteries, for example, are quite popular, as well as burying your pet in your backyard. However, for some owners, these options aren’t available or too expensive. Cremation solves both of these issues and several others. For example:
Cremation is much less costly than buying a plot in a pet cemetery.
Cremated remains can’t be dug up by another animal looking for food.
You can keep your cat’s remains in an urn or other container or have them made into jewelry.
Cremation is a quick and easy process.
You can scatter your cat’s remains in their favorite spot.
As you can see, cremation gives you more options, is less costly, and is much more convenient and faster than other methods of handling your pet’s remains.
Image Credit; Igor Sokolov (breeze), Shutterstock
The 3 Methods of Cremation and Their Cost
The cost to cremate your cat is typically between $60 and $350. However, there are three methods of cremation you must consider. They include the following:
1. Private Cremation: $100 to $350
With private cremation, your cat is placed in the chamber alone, with no other cats (or other pets) present. This is the most expensive option and is the only one that guarantees the ashes you receive will be from your cat only.
2. Partitioned (aka Individual) Cremation: $60 to $250
This cremation is performed with other cats and pets in the same cremation chamber. However, the chamber is partitioned so that the ashes you receive will be mostly from your cat. Some ashes might accidentally be mixed in with them after the cremation process.
3. Communal Cremation: $60 to $100
Communal cremation, as the name suggests, is when your cat is cremated with the remains of other cats and pets. Most crematoriums do not give you your pet’s ashes after a communal cremation. Some offer a service, however, where they create a print of your cat’s paw before the cremation begins.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
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There are several additional costs that you should know about when having your cat cremated, typically for extra services rendered. Of course, they will increase the cremation service’s overall cost if you choose to have them done. Most are optional, however, so you can waive them if you need to lower your expenses.
1. Transportation Fees: $30 to $50
Similar to ambulance fees for humans, there are transportation fees to take your cat’s remains to the crematorium. You can also do this yourself and save the money if you wish.
2. Private Viewing Rooms: $20 to $30
You’ll need a private viewing room if you want to witness your cat being cremated. This doesn’t add much to the cost but is still an extra charge at most crematoriums.
3. An Urn: $50 to $150 (Possibly More)
If you want your cat’s ashes placed in a nice urn to put on your mantel or another spot in your home, it will cost extra. The most basic will cost between $50 and $150, but one made with a gold inlay or another type of precious metal will cost considerably more.
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Having Something Created from Your Cat’s Ashes
The extra cost to have something created from your cat’s ashes as a type of keepsake varies depending on what you’d like to have made. Some of the choices you have include the following:
Cremation diamonds
Glass artwork
Paint
Tattoo ink
Suncatchers
Jewelry
4. Your Cat’s Weight and Size: $10 to $20
Although this is rarely a factor, having your cat cremated could cost a bit more if your cat is extra-large.
Overall Cost Breakdown
The table below will give you a better idea of the factors that can affect the cost of your cat’s cremation.
Service
Cost
Private Cremation
$100 to $350
Partitioned Cremation
$60 to $250
Communal Cremation
$60 to $100
Transportation
$30 to $50
Private Viewing Room
$20 to $30
An Urn for your cat’s ashes
$50 to $150 (basic)
An extra-large cat
$10 to $20
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Cremation?
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Most pet insurance plans do not cover cremation under their basic plans because it isn’t a medical service or procedure. However, checking with your pet insurance company first is essential, as many have add-on plans that cover cremation.
For example, if your pet’s life ended due to a condition covered by a Spot Pet Insurance policy, it will cover the cost of cremation and the cost of euthanasia (if necessary) and burial. Most pet insurance policies don’t cover extra services connected to cremation. That includes urns, a cemetery plot, items made from your cat’s ashes, etc.
The table below shows which pet insurance companies will cover cremation and if their basic plan covers it or needs an additional add-on plan.
Laying your cat to rest is a difficult, sad, and inevitable task. However, by taking good care of your cat and following the tips listed below, you can enjoy several happy years together.
Take your cat to the veterinarian for regular wellness exams.
Keep your cat indoors, where the risks of accident, illness, and injury are much lower.
Feed your cat well-balanced, high-quality cat food.
Play with your cat as often as possible.
Have your cat microchipped.
Weigh your cat monthly so that, if their weight changes dramatically, you’ll notice it immediately and can get veterinary help.
Give your cat plenty of reasons to stay active, including mentally stimulating toys, a cat tree, and shelves.
Clean your cat’s litter box every day.
Groom your cat often, including brushing their teeth.
Get a water fountain for your cat so they drink enough water.
Have your cat neutered or spayed. This can increase their lifespan substantially.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, the cost of cremation for a cat is based on several factors, including the type of cremation and several extra, but optional, services. The most expensive cremation is private cremation, which costs as much as $350. Private viewing rooms, an urn, transport services, and other services will add to that cost if you choose them.
Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things you’ll face as a pet parent. We hope the information provided today about the cost of cremating a cat has given you the information you were looking for and helps you make the best decisions during this challenging time.
Greg Iacono is a self-taught writer and former chiropractor who, ironically, retired early due to back problems. He spends his time writing scintillating content on a wide variety of subjects. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson. he U.S., Belgium, and Peru. When not writing, Greg spends his time traveling, riding his motorcycle, and doting on his 7-year-old daughter, Valery. He also has a massive Lego city he built with his son, Alex, and is very proud of his daughter, Catherine, an accomplished graphic artist....Read more
