After a pet passes, one of the first decisions families face is what to do next. For most, the choice comes down to cremation or aquamation — two distinct processes that both result in remains your family can keep or memorialize. Understanding the difference helps you make a choice that aligns with your values, your preferences, and what feels right for your pet.

Hickey Home Veterinary Care coordinates both options for Phoenix-area families. Dr. Kyle Hickey handles all aftercare arrangements directly, so you don't have to navigate this alone.

What Is Traditional Cremation for Pets?

Traditional pet cremation — also called flame cremation or fire cremation — uses high heat (typically 1,400 to 1,800°F) to reduce the body to bone fragments. Those fragments are then processed into a fine powder commonly called "ashes" or "cremains," which are returned to the family in an urn or container.

There are two main types of cremation:

Individual (private) cremation: Your pet is cremated alone. The ashes returned are exclusively your pet's remains.

Communal cremation: Multiple pets are cremated together. Ashes are not returned to individual families, or are returned as a mixed collection. This option is typically less expensive.

What Is Aquamation for Pets?

Aquamation — also called alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, or bio-cremation — uses water, heat, and an alkaline solution (typically potassium hydroxide) to gently dissolve soft tissue. The process takes several hours and results in a sterile liquid (which is safely returned to the water supply) and clean, white bone material that is processed into a fine powder and returned to the family, similar to traditional cremation.

Aquamation is increasingly available for pets and is offered as an aftercare option through Hickey Home Veterinary Care in Phoenix.

Key Differences Between Aquamation and Cremation

Environmental Impact

Aquamation uses approximately 90% less energy than traditional flame cremation. It produces no direct emissions, no carbon dioxide, and no airborne pollutants. For families who prioritize environmental considerations, aquamation is significantly greener.

Traditional cremation, while widely accepted and effective, uses natural gas or propane and produces emissions during the process.

The Remains

Both processes return remains to the family. There are subtle differences:

  • Flame cremation produces grayish-white ashes that may include some darker material from the combustion process.
  • Aquamation produces remains that are typically brighter white and slightly more voluminous, because the bone structure is more completely preserved without combustion.

Neither is inherently better — it comes down to personal preference.

The Process

Aquamation is often described as a gentler process because it uses water rather than fire. Some families find this meaningful when thinking about their pet's aftercare. Others have no preference between the two methods.

Cost

Aquamation is sometimes slightly more expensive than traditional communal cremation, and comparable to or slightly above individual flame cremation, depending on the provider. Dr. Hickey can provide current pricing for both options when you call.

Availability

Traditional cremation is widely available throughout the Phoenix metro. Aquamation for pets is newer and available through fewer providers. Hickey Home Veterinary Care coordinates aquamation directly for families who choose it.

Which Option Do Most Families Choose?

In the Phoenix area, traditional individual cremation remains the most common choice. Aquamation is growing in popularity, particularly among families who prioritize environmental considerations or who want the gentlest possible process for their pet.

There is no wrong choice. Both result in remains you can keep, memorialize, or scatter in a meaningful location.

Other Aftercare Options

In addition to cremation and aquamation, Hickey Home Veterinary Care can coordinate:

  • Home burial — guidance on legal requirements and best practices for home burial in Arizona
  • Pet cemetery placement — coordination with pet cemeteries in the Phoenix metro area
  • Memorial items — paw print kits, fur clippings, and other keepsakes can often be arranged at the time of the appointment

How Dr. Hickey Handles Aftercare

One of the ways Hickey Home Veterinary Care differs from clinic-based end-of-life care is that Dr. Hickey manages aftercare coordination directly. After the appointment, he handles the calls and arrangements so your family doesn't have to make difficult logistics decisions in the hours following your pet's passing.

When you schedule, you'll discuss your aftercare preferences with Dr. Hickey. He'll handle everything from there.

Schedule In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Phoenix

If you have questions about aftercare options, call (480) 806-1888 or email contact@hickeyhomeveterinarycare.com. Dr. Hickey serves Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and Fountain Hills.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available for urgent situations. No referral required.