FAQs
What if my pet dies at home?
If you are reading this, you are likely in a position that no pet parent wants to be in… Your beloved pet has either passed away on their own in your home, or you are facing the thought that this may be a reality for you in the near future. If this is the case, we want you to know that we are so sorry that you are in this situation and our team at Reflections is here to support you through this.
Whether your pet’s passing was expected or not, we understand your heart is breaking right now and this is a difficult and emotionally sensitive time for you and your family. It is normal to be flooded with different emotions and questions. The biggest question may be, what do I do now?
First, BREATHE…take a few deep breaths and some time to process the waves of emotions that you are likely feeling right now.
- If you feel it appropriate allow the other family members in your household wishing to do so, to come and say their goodbyes.
- If there are other pets in the home, allow them to sniff around and say goodbye to their fellow companion. Believe it or not, they do understand what has happened to their friend.
- Take your time, give your pet all the affection you and your family want and need. And when you are ready, contact your veterinarian to assist you with your aftercare options.
- If you are unable to transport your pet yourself, please give us a call. We offer a personalized pick up and transfer service* directly from your home to our facility.
- If it is after hours and you are not able to transport your pet right away, here is some information for how best to care for your pet’s body until transportation is available:
Tightly wrap your pet in a towel, blanket, or sheet on their side in a comfortable neutral position with legs tucked in close to their body.
If transportation is not possible right away, relocate them to a cool, dark, and dry space like a garage or basement.
Contact us for aftercare or transport assistance.
*Please Note: There are additional fees for emergency after hours, weekend or holiday pickups. (please call us at 226-750-6619 for further details).
What if my Veterinarian does not offer Aquamation as an Aftercare option?
We are happy to work directly with your vet to answer any questions they may have and assure them; they too can put their trust in us to take the absolute best care of the pets entrusted to our care. Ask your veterinarian to contact us if you would like to use our services and products.
Does the Family receive any ashes back?
Yes, aquamation leaves only your pet’s bones, which we process into a fine powder that can be returned to you. Due to the gentle and flameless nature of our process, you will receive 20% more remains back compared to the flame cremation process.
Is Aquamation Sustainable?
- Aquamation is considered a green alternative because it is very energy efficient, no fossil fuels are burned, so there is no release of greenhouse gases, which occurs in both flame- based cremation and traditional burial processes.
- 99% of the water used during the process is returned back to nature via the local water treatment plant where it is purified, filtered and recycled back to the earth without causing harm to our environment.
- The Aquamation process uses less water than a single household uses in one day.
What other aftercare options do I have?
There are currently two other options for local pet aftercare:
1) Home burial.
- Please refer to your municipal by-laws if considering this option for your pet.
- It is important to mention that medications administered during chemotherapy treatments and euthanasia will remain in your pet and pose a danger to other pets and wildlife.
- Another issue for pet families to consider is how long they plan to live at their current address. When you move, the pets buried in your backyard likely won’t move with you. After you move, you may feel a rekindled sense of bereavement from having your pets far away.
2) Flame Cremation.
- This service is offered through your veterinary clinic and local Humane Society.
- It is outsourced to a large national crematory that operates across Canada and the US.