"Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed and as beautiful as life"  John Muir

We grieve over the death of a family pet...this reaction is natural and can be unexpectedly overwhelming!  Experts call it terminating "the human-companion animal bond."

Some people may heartlessly say; "It's only a dog."  Unfortunately many in our society don't have a clue how deeply pet owners grieve when their pet requires euthanasia and/or passes on naturally.  Psychologists now acknowledge that pet owners need support while grieving, but often get far less empathy than necessary, thereby prolonging the grieving process.  Many pet owners still hide their distress from those who have no understanding or sensitivity to their problem.  But why?  Pets are members of our family. 

On a positive note, society is slowly changing its views about pet bereavement and stigmas are going away as people realize that mourning is not a privileged commemoration to be reserved only for the loss of human loved  ones. One of our good friends in the Hawaii Pet Community is Pet Grief Counselor & Psychotherapist, Rene Rokero of The Hawaii Pet Grief Center.  You will find her of immense help & support if you are grieving over an animal that is sick, one that is dying or died or a pet loss associated with divorce, relationship issues, relocation, a disappearance or a disability.

Veterinarians realize that their final obligation to their pet patients involves dealing with the realities of death and disposition of the animal.  Sometimes, due to an owner's dysfunctional state of mind, these options may not be discussed or considered in a rational manner.  Many veterinarians, placing a priority on grieving, handle matters themselves without consultation and often fail to explain the choices available to the pet owner.  Regardless, it is the pet owner's responsibility to make final arrangements after a pet's euthanasia/death cremation.  (Alpo Pet Foods, Inc. 1992)

Most pets have a lifespan that is shorter than that of a human, so it is almost inevitable that pet owners will have to handle the death of a beloved pet. Throughout your pet's life, you cared about your pet's health and comfort. It is no surprise then that with their death you are concerned with the safe and humane disposition of their remains. It is our mission to help you with these important decisions.

Choices to consider:

Pet Cemetery:  Today there are pet cemeteries across America and much of the world.  The cost for euthanasia, burial and annual costs for grave yard maintenance can easily amount to thousands of dollars.

Home Burial:  This is a common option.  Many pet owners bury their pets and/or spread their pet's ashes on their own property.

Communal Burial:  This is the most common option, often made when the pet owner fails to inquire about their pet's disposal or when the veterinarian is not given any direction by the pet owner.  What's disturbing to many uninformed pet owners is that pet's ashes are mixed with other animals' ashes and unceremoniously discarded in a community landfill.

Individual Cremation:  Your veterinarian will arrange for individual cremation only if you ask.  You have an option to have your pet's ashes returned to the veterinarian from the crematorium and subsequently to you.  But now what do you do with your pet's ashes?

Spreading your pet's ashes at sea:  We've found pet owners come to HawaiiAshScatterings.com because they want their beloved pet's ashes spread at sea.  Why?  Some say their pet loved to swim in the ocean or loved to run along the beach darting in and out of the surf and for them, a burial at sea simply seemed the logical and the right thing to do.  Hawaii residents can contact us with short notice and we can usually accommodate on your wishes at sea.  You can also do this from afar by shipping the ashes to us or when taking a vacation in Hawaii pay your last respects to your beloved pet at sea on a private sailing charter.  HawaiiAshScatterings.com dispersal of Pet Cremains include a Beautiful Pet Memorial Certificate with our nautical coordinates and time.  For a customized certificate supply us with your favorite photo of your pet and write a brief epithet that we can include on the Deluxe Pet Memorial Certificate.

If you believe our burial at sea service is the right option for your pet, please follow the same reservation & rate procedure we do with human cremations.  You'll find it easy to work with HawaiiAshScatterings.com in planning & performing your pet's interment process at sea with grace, dignity and respect.