Very weird question re: pet's ashes
 

This is something that has been bothering me for a long time and I don't know where else or who else to ask about it.

When I had my parrots (separately, different times) cremated, I was specifically asked if I wanted a "private" cremation where I got their ashes back in a nice little cedar box with a lock on it, which cost considerably more, or if I wanted a "communal" (or whatever they termed it...with all the other animals being cremated that day) cremation.

I chose to have the private one done because my parrots were the most precious things in the world to me and b/c I had shared 20 and 19 yrs respectively of my life with them. My plan was to at some point, have something made (like a piece of jewelry that would encapsulate a small portion of their ashes) so that I could wear it and have it close to my heart all the time.

My point is, it was paramount to me that the ashes I got back were those of MY birds...not a big conglomeration of other people's pets.

So, my question is this: HOW do you KNOW that what they're giving you are really YOUR pet's ashes? Obviously, I guess you just have to trust the vet or whoever they deal with, b/c they don't come back to you for a week or more....but how do you know?

The reason I'm asking this, even though I honestly was wondering how I would know from the get-go; is because I finally decided that I wanted to open up the boxes to see their ashes.....and even though my parrots were IDENTICAL, the ashes (not only in mass, but color and everything) are totally different from each other's.

I know this is a very weird question, but what is the use of having it done privately and paying more for it (although, the money is just a side irritant) when you don't even really get THEIR ashes back? It's a spiritual thing, not a "I just want to have some ashes" thing.

Does anyone know anything about this, or know what the true practices are when animals are cremated? Maybe I'm wrong and maybe their ashes wouldn't be the same? I mean, they're not even the same color. It's just been bugging me ever since I opened the boxes (which I would have had to do sooner or later anyway).

I wish I could help you and give you an answer.,
It would bother me too, if I thought I hadn't gotten back my beloved pet's ashes.
Maybe call the vet who did it for you and ask and they will have a reasonable explanation.

:hug:

Good Question. I really have no idea how you would know for sure. We had my 20 yr old Bichon PTS and got her ashes back. We chose to do a private cremation, I would hate to think that the ashes we got back weren't really hers.

I don't want to distress you, but there is NO way to know for sure. It all boils down to how honest the poeple were that handled the cremation.

Several years ago there was a huge nightmare in a neighboring city because a funeral home operator failed to creamate bodies (human). When the police finally investigated they found decaying bodies all over several acres. What the scumbag told the authorities was that his crematorium was broken. The "ashes" that a couple hundred families has received was concrete.

The man is in jail and the funeral home has since been closed. Here is a link to the story: Tri-State Crematory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I remember that story...it's probably part of the reason I wasn't so comfortable with just assuming without question that I was getting what I asked for; if someone who's supposedly a "professional" at human funerals etc, does something like that, how can you expect better treatment of animals. It's really sort of dismaying to say the least. :(

Well, I've got a lot of their feathers (I kept a lot of their crest feathers that they lost b/c they're so pretty and used to send them to a few artists who make things with feathers), but I'm not sure if that would be good enough for DNA testing. :confused:

Wow...I had never even thought of that. I'm looking over at my sweet Bandit's box wondering if it's really him inside there. :( I guess there is no way to really know for sure....

I remember when that happene. I lived in LaFayette, Ga at the time.THat was a nightmare!!!

That's really what took me so long to post this; I hate for anyone else to question it, but it's just been bothering me for so long and there's such a wealth of information here, so many people with so much experience; that I just HAD to ask.

Oh, I completely understand. The thought of it bothered me since the time we sent poppy sue off to be cremated. I haven't opened up her ashes container.. yet. Eventually I want to do some sort of keepsake w/ the ashes in it, but I'm not sure exactly what.

At one time I wanted to get a tattoo (still do), but have her ashes mixed in with the ink like Sailors use to do. (i saw it on an episode of Miami ink)

That man was completely nutzo. I think if you deal with reputable people you can be fairly certain that your wishes are honored.

Hmmm...I never heard of that, but have always wanted to get a tattoo of one or both of my birds...long before they died even....just could never decide WHAT I wanted and now that I'm married, dh says he'd divorce me if I ever got a tattoo (not that that would be any deterrent if I decide precisely what I wanted:cool:). Now I have something else to think about, hehe. Thanks;)

When I had Dixie cremated I paid for a private one and they gave me a certificate certifying it. I also have my Gracie's ashes and she was 6 lbs to Dixie's 1 3/4 lbs and their is a difference in the weight of their ashes. But I guess you just have to hope the place is honest.