Memorial options
Pet Memorials from ashes
Almost every memorial made from human ashes can be made for a pet — from stones shaped like the animal itself to jewellery, glass and trees. Start with the right kind of cremation.
Losing an animal can hurt as much as losing a person, and the memorial options are almost exactly the same. Diamonds, glass, jewellery, stones, trees — nearly every process used for human ashes works for pets too. There is one decision, though, that has to be made first and cannot be undone.
First: individual or communal cremation
Only an individual cremation returns your pet's ashes to you. In a communal cremation several animals are cremated together and the ashes are not returned — so no memorial made from the ashes is possible afterwards.
If you think you may ever want a keepsake, choose an individual cremation, even if you are not ready to decide on the keepsake itself.
What pet cremation costs in the UK
Prices depend mainly on the size of the animal:
| Pet | Individual cremation, approx. |
|---|---|
| Cat | £150–£200 |
| Small dog | around £200–£215 |
| Large dog | around £330–£375 |
Communal cremation costs less — very roughly £85–£185 — but, again, the ashes do not come back. Arranging cremation through your vet is convenient but usually costs more than going to a pet crematorium directly, because the practice adds its own fee. Many crematoria will collect from your home or the vet.
Memorials made from a pet's ashes
- Remembrance stones — including stones shaped as the animal itself.
- Jewellery — pendants and charms that hold a pinch of ashes.
- Glass art — paperweights and pebbles with ashes sealed inside.
- Diamonds — possible for pets; ask whether a small animal's ashes are enough for the size of stone you want.
- Living memorials — a tree or shrub planted in the garden they loved.
- Urns — size by the same rule as for people, roughly one cubic inch per pound of the animal's weight.
A stone shaped like your pet
One option is specific to animals: a remembrance stone cast in the animal's own shape. Our partner brand Spogad makes Silhouettes — stones made with the ashes and formed as the figure of the pet. Prices on their site, checked 21 September 2026: £310 from an existing mould, or from £460 for a personalised figure modelled by a 3D designer from your photographs. Their Remembrance Stone Heart for a pet is £350, with optional engraving of your pet's face. Spogad states pieces are made within three to four weeks of receiving the ashes, with a five-year guarantee.
Spogad is our partner brand and we may earn from orders placed through us.
Common questions
How long does it take to get my pet's ashes back?
It varies by crematorium — ask when you book. The keepsake itself is a separate step and can be arranged whenever you are ready.
Can I combine my pet's ashes with my own later?
Some families ask for this. Rules differ between cemeteries and natural burial grounds, so check with the site directly.
Is it strange to want a memorial for a pet?
No. Nearly every kind of memorial made from ashes is offered for pets as well as people.
Sources
- How much does pet cremation cost in the UK? — VetCost (checked 21 September 2026)
- How much does it cost to get a dog or cat cremated? — ManyPets (checked 21 September 2026)
- Remembrance Stone Silhouette and Remembrance Stone Heart — Spogad (checked 21 September 2026)
Not sure this is the right choice?
Tell us what you are weighing up and we will come back with options that fit — what they cost and how long they take. There is no deadline on this decision.