Understanding Water Cremation (Aquamation)

Losing a beloved animal companion is a heartbreaking and overwhelming experience. If you are grieving and unsure of what to do when your pet dies—especially if they pass away suddenly at home—here is a gentle guide to help you navigate the immediate next steps:

• Give yourself time to breathe: First and foremost, take a moment to sit with your pet, say your goodbyes, and allow yourself to grieve. There is no need to rush. Take the time you and your family need to process the moment.
• Prepare your pet: When you are ready, gently place your pet on a clean, soft blanket or towel. Because muscles relax after passing, it is a good idea to place a waterproof layer, like a plastic bag or puppy pad, underneath the blanket. If you need to keep them at home for a few hours, move them to a cool, quiet, and dry room.
• Contact a professional: Reach out to your veterinarian or a local pet memorial and cremation service. If your pet passes away outside of normal business hours, many emergency vet clinics or dedicated pet aftercare services have 24/7 support lines. They can gently guide you on the next steps and often arrange to transport your pet from your home.
• Consider your aftercare options: You will eventually need to decide between cremation (private or communal) or burial. A professional pet memorial service can walk you through these options at your own pace, ensuring your pet is treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
• Support your other pets: If you have other animals in the home, allowing them to gently sniff and see their companion can help them understand what has happened and begin their own grieving process.
• Plan a way to honor them: Once the immediate physical arrangements are taken care of, you can begin thinking about how you would like to celebrate their life—whether through a small memorial gathering, a custom urn, a special photo display, or a keepsake piece of art.

Water Cremation (technically known as Aquamation or Alkaline Hydrolysis) is a gentle, environmentally friendly  alternative to traditional flame cremation. Instead of fire, it uses a soothing combination of water flow, warm temperature, and a small amount of alkalinity to accelerate the natural breakdown of organic matter—mimicking

the same process that occurs in nature, just faster.

No, absolutely not. This is the most common misconception.

The process uses a solution that is 95% water and 5% alkali. Alkalis are the chemical opposite of acids. We use the same ingredients found in common liquid soaps. The process is safe, gentle, and non-toxic.

Many families choose Water Cremation because it is the most eco-friendly option available.

• Zero Emissions: There are no harmful greenhouse gases released into the Chicago atmosphere.
• Energy Efficient: It uses significantly less energy than a standard crematory.
• Gentler Outcome: Because there is no fire to consume the bone mineral, families actually receive 20% more ashes back than with flame cremation.

The"ashes" from water cremation are actually pure calcium phosphate (bone mineral). Because they have not been scorched by fire, they are typically whiter and finer in texture than flame ashes. They are completely safe to keep in an urn, bury, or scatter, just like traditional ashes.

Yes. Just like our flame service, our Water Cremation service is strictly private. Your pet is placed in their own individual compartment within the unit. You are guaranteed to receive only your pet's ashes.

Yes, we specialize exclusively in private pet cremation services for dogs and cats throughout the Chicago area.

Yes, every pet is cremated individually and ashes are returned exclusively to the family.

Yes, we provide private cremation services for dogs, cats, and other companion animals.

Yes, transportation services are available throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Yes, we offer both traditional flame cremation and eco-friendly water cremation options.