Pet Cremation Cost: Complete Pricing Guide
Everything you need to know about pet cremation costs, from base prices to hidden fees and ways to save money.
When my vet handed me the cremation price list, the numbers blurred together. $85? $350? $600? I had no context for what was reasonable or what I was actually paying for. After going through this twice now, I want to give you the clarity I wish I had.
What Does Pet Cremation Actually Cost?
Let me break this down by pet size and cremation type, because those are the two biggest factors:
For cats and small pets (under 30 lbs):
For medium dogs (30-60 lbs):
For large dogs (60-100 lbs):
For giant breeds (100+ lbs):
Location matters too. Urban areas and coastal cities run 20-40% higher than rural regions.
What's Included in That Price?
Base cremation usually includes the cremation itself and a basic container (often just a plastic bag or cardboard box inside a tin). Everything else is typically extra:
Some facilities offer packages that bundle these services at a slight discount. Others charge à la carte for everything.
Why Do Prices Vary So Much Between Providers?
I called five places when researching this, and quotes for the same service ranged from $175 to $425. Here is why:
Overhead costs differ. A crematorium attached to a veterinary hospital pays rent in a commercial building. A standalone rural facility has different expenses.
Service levels vary. Some places offer personalized attention, private viewing rooms, and hand-delivered ashes. Others operate more like efficient processing centers.
Business models differ. Some crematoriums make money on the base service. Others price cremation low and profit on urns and add-ons.
None of this means expensive is better or cheap is worse. It means you need to compare what is actually included.
How Can You Save Money Without Cutting Corners?
If budget is tight, here are legitimate ways to reduce costs:
Choose communal cremation if having ashes is not important to you. This saves $100-300 depending on pet size.
Transport your pet yourself if you are emotionally able. This saves $25-100 in pickup fees.
Skip the fancy urn for now. Take the basic container home and buy an urn online later—Etsy and Amazon have options at half the crematorium price.
Ask about payment plans. Many facilities offer them but do not advertise this.
Check with local shelters. Some partner with crematoriums for reduced-rate services.