About Us

I am a proud pet mom of two cutie pies, named Lainey and Cooper.

Growing up, pets were always a significant part of our family life, so I understand the special love and connection formed with each pet we welcome into our lives.  No matter how much time we are given with them, it is never long enough, and I know firsthand the heartbreak and profound sadness felt after the loss of each beloved companion.

I became a registered Pet Funeral Director and certified Bereavement Specialist because I am passionate about providing other pet parents the same caring, dignified support and aftercare I expect for my own pets. 

Why become an aquamation provider?  Well in 2020, our sweet 14-year-old rescue and our first family pet Dixie passed away.  We were surprised and disheartened to find that our only local aftercare option was flame cremation, which did not reflect the loving, peaceful or naturally respectful farewell we wanted for her. Our aftercare experience also lacked empathy and closure, leaving us with a deep sense of having let her down. There had to be a better option out there.

My search for that better option uncovered the innovative process of alkaline hydrolysis, also known as Aquamation. I knew right away it was the aftercare we had envisioned for Dixie and exactly the gentle, natural option we wanted for Lainey and Cooper, when their times came.

I felt other pet parents might feel the same and so began my journey to open Reflections Pet Aquamation Services here in Waterloo Region.

It has certainly been quite an adventure to get here, but I am excited that Reflections will be our community’s first aquamation provider and we are finally able to offer other pet families what we did not have, a choice in their pet’s aftercare.

I hope that our gentle process using water instead of flames, will bring you comfort in knowing that your pet’s final journey is one of peaceful dignity, reflecting the love you gave them in life.

Michelle Kaczmarek

Owner of Reflections Pet Aquamation Services

“The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals.”

Theophile Gautier