Pet Cremation Options for the Rochester Area

Water-Based Pet Cremation:
Gentler and Greener Aftercare (Better for your pet, better for the environment)

Stillwaters Veterinary Care is proud to offer water-based cremation through Pet Passages of Ontario, NY - a revolutionary, gentle, eco-friendly water-based cremation process. We offer:

• Gentle, respectful, personal, non flame-based cremation services for your pet
• A safe, eco-friendly alternative
• Costs comparable to conventional pet cremations
• Licensed, dedicated, and compassionate professionalism

Water-based "cremation" (also known as aquamation, hydrocremation, bio-cremation, green cremation, and flameless cremation) is a newer technology that allows you to receive your pet's "ashes" back by a process that is much more environmentally friendly than flame-based cremation. It utilizes a process called alkaline hydrolysis, which is the same gradual degradation process that happens when your pet is buried but is accelerated with heated water and natural alkali salts. This gentle process results in mineral ash-like powder that can be returned to you. The ashes are finer, more pure, and you receive approximately 20-30% more ashes back than from standard flame-based cremation. The ashes are sterile and are able to be kept as a memento or spread where you would like. The high nutrient mineral content makes it ideal to plant with a memorial tree or bush. The process uses 90% less energy than flame cremation and there are no harmful gasses released into the air. Awareness and demand for this environmentally safe process is growing as a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for pet aftercare.

Benefits of Water-Based Cremation:

• A gentler process
• More environmentally friendly
• Uses 90% less energy than traditional pet cremation
• No harmful gasses released into the air
• Comparable cost to traditional pet cremation
• Receive 20-30% more ashes back than traditional pet cremation

Options & Related Services:

View aftercare options }
Learn about in-home euthanasia services }

Pet Cremation Prices & Options for the Rochester Area

Rochester Aftercare Pricing:*

* Package prices do not include sales tax, additional memorial items requested, or upgraded packages that are available.

All ashes and memorial items can be picked up at Pet Passages, 348 NY-104, Ontario NY 14519. Get directions }

PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT: Please complete the Pet Aftercare Client Form to view the upgrade options available. The crematorium requests this be done no later than the day before your scheduled visit with us. The arrangements and payment for aftercare need to be finalized prior to our arrival at the home and we will review that with you and take payment for the euthanasia visit at that time as well.

HOURS:
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm

Please call to arrange your pet's pick-up with Pet Passages at (585) 265-9933. Shipping and personal delivery is available on request for an additional cost.

Types of cremation options

• Communal Cremation: Multiple pets are cremated (fire based) together in a group without any form of physical barrier. These co-mingled cremated remains are not returned to the owners.
• Aquamation (aka Individual): Aquamation is a form of cremation that uses a water based process with alkaline solutions; which will produce the same end result as fire based cremation, ashes. Aquamation mimics life's natural end-of-life process and is considered a more eco-friendly, green alternative to flame-based cremation, which can make aquamation a wonderful choice for those who are passionate about sustainability and the environment. This is our recommended cremation option.
• Semi-Private (aka Individual) Cremation: More than one animal's body is present in the cremation chamber and cremated (fire based) at the same time. Our own, patent pending stainless steel dividers ensure pets remain completely separate through this process.
• Truly Private Cremation: Only one animal's body is present in the cremation chamber during the cremation (fire based) process.

The "Standard" Package

Your pet's ashes will be available for pick-up in a black velvet pouch embroidered with "Until We Meet Again at the Rainbow Bridge". Also includes a Paw and Nose Print and certificate of cremation. There are many wonderful upgrade options that include engraved wooden or specialty urns and memorial items such as jewelry that can hold your pet's ashes. All of our visits always include a paw print of your choice and a lock of your pet's fur made at the home by our provider at no extra charge.

Communal Cremation

Communal Cremation provides an affordable alternative to Private Cremation. Ashes will not be returned. They will be respectfully disposed of according to local laws.

Prior to Your Visit

Please complete the Finalizing Your Pet's Aftercare form to view the upgrade options available. The crematorium requests this be done no later than the day before your scheduled visit with us. The arrangements and payment for aftercare need to be finalized prior to our arrival at the home and we will review that with you and take payment for the euthanasia visit at that time as well.

Pick-Up Fee

If your pet passes away at home or at your veterinarian's office and you opt for water based cremation services, the following pick-up fees apply. If you prefer to drop off your pet directly, please contact Pet Passages at (585) 265-9933 to make arrangements to do so.

We serve clients in Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Monroe, Onondaga, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, Tompkins, and parts of Broome, Chenango, Genesee, Livingston, Madison, Oneida, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.

Please contact us to see if we are able to accommodate you if you are beyond our normal radius. We use Google Maps to determine the distance from our location to calculate associated fees. To check the distance for us to get to your home, click the link below and enter your address in to the starting point to find the distance that will be used to determine the cost of our visit.

Calculate your distance:

• From Rochester, NY

Ithaca and Syracuse areas:
For services outside of the Rochester area, please view our Water-Based Pet Cremeation for Central New York page.

In-Home Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to a cherished companion is one of the hardest things we have to do in our lives. We offer compassionate in-home pet euthanasia services. Learn More }

Burial

Burial for your pet is up to your discretion and not a service we provide. View Burial Recommendations }

Payment

Payment is due before or at the time of service unless previously arrangements have been made. Payments can be made by cash, Scratchpay, CareCredit, or credit card. We accept most major credit cards over the phone for pre-payment, or accept most major credit cards, Scratchpay, or cash at the time of service. At this time we are only accepting personal checks in certain situations. There is a $25 returned check fee.

Learn more about financing options & our Compassionate Crossings fund

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the water-cremation process and aftercare options.