5 minute read
written by a person, not a computer
Hello fellow animal lovers, I’m sorry you need this content.
Losing your four legged family is so difficult, I’m genuinely sorry for your loss whether it just happened, or is approaching. About a million of us go through this each year, that doesn’t make it easier, but know that you are not alone. If you need to learn the basics of pet cremation, I recommend you read the post titled The Basics of Cremation.
If you are seeking pet cremation, aquamation, or funeral services in and around the Portland area, you have a few choices between classic cremation, modern aquamation, or burial. Not every city has all 3.
The Portland area is physically large with a population of about 2.5 million. Portland is a very pet friendly place boasting about 400 restaurants where your dog is welcome, in addition to ample open space, trails, and dog parks. Overall the people are more affluent than average, leading to high housing prices, but that hasn't really translated into the pet cremation costs in Portland.
My goal is to provide you with empowering consumer information, not to advertise for anyone, or malign their business, so no names will be used, but it isn't difficult to figure out an individual business if you wish to. Despite the areas population, there are relatively few business that provide these services, so I'll be reviewing 6 today.
Location 1, North Portland area- This business offers aquamation, either communal or private. With communal, you do not get any remains back, with private an urn is included in the price. They have several local vets they pick up from for free, home pick up is 100.
Private Cat 150 Medium dog 200 Large dog 250
Communal 110 regardless of size
Location 2, Vancouver area- This business offers classic flame based cremation, either individual or communal. The prices for individual include an urn, for communal, no ashes are returned. Pickup from a local vet is free, and they are associated with an in home euthanasia provider should you need such a service.
Private Cat 225 Medium dog 245 Large dog 285
Communal Cat 50 Medium dog 80 Large dog 100
Location 3, Northeast Portland- This business offers classic flame based cremation, either individual or communal. The individual prices include an urn, for communal no ashes are returned. They do offer pickup, at 250. This is a lot, but Portland is a physically large city whose roads can be quite congested at times. For some that price will be worth it.
Private Cat 165 Medium dog 185 Large dog 240
Communal Cat 30 Medium dog 40 Large dog 100
Location 4, Southwest Portland outskirts- This business offers classic flame based cremation, either individual or communal. The individual prices include an urn, clay paw print, ink paw print, and fur clipping. These inclusions represent the bulk of what others offer as added services. So, at this place, you will likely drive further to get there, but it may be a good value if those momentos were purchases you were going to make anyway. For communal cremation no ashes are returned. Pick up is 75, and here you have the option of witnessing the cremation. This is when you are present, and even participate in setting the animal in the furnace. This adds 100 to your total.
Private Cat 200 Medium dog 235 Large dog 300
Communal Cat 45 Medium dog 50 Large dog 125
Location 5, South Portland Outskirts- This business offers aquamation and advertises themselves as the green option, which compared with flame based cremation, is totally true. For private aquamation, remains are returned in a biodegradable fiber box, for communal no remains are returned. They offer pickup at 275, which is a lot, but Portland is a large city, and sometimes the physically difficulty of moving a large animal, or the emotional difficulty of transporting any deceased loved one may make that price worth it.
Private Cat 225 Medium dog 325 Large dog 375
Communal Cat 170 Medium dog 220 Large dog 270
Location 6- I cheated a bit on location 6, which is over an hour away just west of Salem. But with a population of 2.5 million, someone will want their pet buried and have the chance at something that looks like a funeral.
There used to be a pet cemetery in Portland but it filled up and shut down. So, it is a drive, but that may be worth it to some. This cemetery offers pet burial for about 3000. This includes the plot, the actual burial, perpetual care, and a fairly nice headstone. Naturally, you can spend more on an even larger stone, but overall this is a typical pet burial price. Note that an actual funeral service isn't included, but that is common. With the posts How to have a Pet Funeral and What to Say at a Pet Eulogy you will be well equipped to have your own ceremony.
Summary
The Portland area is spread out, affluent, loves their pets, and has all three major options available, cremation, aquamation, and burial.
-Considering the population size, there are relatively few business that provide end of life services for pets.
-Though I chose not to get into the weeds with added services, some crematoriums offer additions that will quickly escalate the price. If you want a fur clipping, nicer urn, plaster paw print, cremation casket, to view the cremation, etc. the price can rise rapidly.
-A private cremation or aquamation for a cat will likely cost between $150 - 225
-A private cremation for a medium dog will likely cost between $185 - 325
-A private cremation for a large dog will likely cost between $250 - 375
-Communal cremation or aquamation doesn't cost much here, as little as 30 for a cat, or 100 for a large dog
-A professionally managed burial will cost $3000, and a bit of a drive.
-In some cities cremation and aquamation costs are roughy equivalent, in Portland, aquamation costs more.
-For the size and affluence of Portland, these costs seem on the reasonable side.
Sometimes people are in a rush to make cremation or funeral decisions. Slow down. Consider your options carefully, once you make these choices, there is no going back. Your four legged family will be fine lying in state at home for a day or two if that’s what it takes to do this right. You can check out this page for an eBook on how to have a pet funeral at home.
Written by Peter of Pawsitive Memorials, I"m sorry for your loss.
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