How to Have a Pet Funeral
Below is the internet's best resourse on having a pet funeral. It is a step by step guide to having a pet funeral service at home, if you are actually burying your pet, or having a scattering of ashes ceremony.
Resources & FAQ
Wood Selection
What is your return policy?
All the woods I use are yard trees that fell in storms, or reached the end of their natural life, so nothing was killed for your memorial. Otherwise, it comes down to what look you want, and perhaps the color you choose. Maple is quite blonde, which may make it the most modern looking choice. Eastern Red Cedar, has the most "character" with knots, swirls, and color tones that are reddish, orange and purple. It is also the most rustic looking. Walnut is the darkest, and one of my favorites, but if you are choosing a dark color, it may not show up well on a walnut board. Hickory is a tan wood, and is the second hardest species in North America. Many MLB players use hickory bats, as did Babe Ruth.
What if I want Mahogany?
Due to the nature of the product, it cannot be returned or refunded in a typical sense. Though it has never happened, if the memorial were to be damaged in transit, I will remake it free of charge and register my complaint with the post office. Naturally, I would need more cremains in this case.
I have a unique idea or need, can you make it?
Chances are I can and I treat woodworking challenges as an opportunity to learn something new. Let me know about your unique idea and we can likely work it out for a modest additional cost.
What do you make?
I make a variety of pet memorials for ashes including...
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-Pet memorial keychain
-Pet memorial plaques
-Pet memorial Christmas or Holiday Ornaments
-Pet memorial gifts
I usually use what is locally available, but can get almost anything if you desire something really unique. Exotic wood from other countries is always labeled as "sustainably harvested" but in reality there is no way to trace or prove such a thing. Frequently, it isn't harvested responsabily. I like wood a great deal, but love a beautiful tree alive in the forest more.
Wood is a natural product, therefore...
Each piece of wood is different, even from the same tree. I strive to have your memorial look great, and be structurally sound. Memorials may have small bits of character, an insect hole, a knot, but no splits, cracks or other elements considered defects. If you have strong feelings about the look of what you want, you can let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate your desire for a piece that has lots of character, or is very homogeneous.