A letter from Passing Paws
Communal Pet
Cremation
Every pet in our care is carried, handled, and honored the same way — communal cremation is simply the quiet, straightforward option, at a flat $249.
the same gentle care, for every pet
Area
Serving all of Los Angeles County
Arrival
Typically at your door within 2 hours
Hours
Phones answered 8am–8pm, every day
On the word “communal”
What is communal cremation?
Communal cremation means your pet is cremated together with other beloved pets, and ashes are not returned. It costs a flat $249, which includes pickup from your home or your veterinary office anywhere in our Los Angeles County service area.
Many providers list this option in small print, or not at all. We would rather explain it plainly. From the moment we lift your pet from your arms to the cremation itself, your pet receives the same gentle handling as every other pet in our care. The only difference is what happens at the end — because pets are cremated together, individual ashes cannot be separated and returned to you.
Cremated together; ashes are not returned
Cremated alone; ashes come home to you
A gentle, water-based alternative to flame
A loving choice
Is communal cremation a loving choice?
Choosing communal cremation is a loving choice. Families choose it for all kinds of reasons, and every one of them is valid.
Some feel their pet’s memory lives in photographs, a favorite walking route, and the quiet spots around the house — not in an urn. Some know that keeping ashes at home would not bring them comfort. Others are being honest about their budget in a hard week — that is a loving decision. What matters is that your pet was cherished in life and treated with dignity afterward. Communal cremation gives you both, and no one at Passing Paws will ever nudge you toward something more expensive.
What’s included
What does the $249 include?
The flat $249 covers everything from your first phone call to the cremation itself — there is nothing extra to add up.
- Home pickup — we come to you, typically within 2 hours of your call
- Pickup from your veterinary office if your pet is there
- The same gentle handling we give every pet in our care
- Phone support from a real person, 8am–8pm every day
- Pets of every size, from small birds and hamsters to dogs over 100 lbs
And there are no upcharges — ever. No weight-based pricing, no weekend or evening fees, no mileage fees for coming to your home. The price we quote on the first call is the price you pay. If you would like a keepsake made before cremation, a clay paw or nose print is $50, and an ink print is $35.
Communal or private
How is communal different from private cremation?
The one real difference is the ashes: with private cremation ($399), your pet is cremated individually and their ashes come home to you; with communal cremation ($249), ashes are not returned. Here is how the two compare.
If you are not sure which is right for your family, call us at (626) 340-0000 and talk it through. We will answer your questions honestly and leave the decision entirely with you — there is no wrong answer here.
| Communal Cremation | Private Cremation | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 flat | $399 flat |
| How your pet is cremated | Together with other beloved pets | Individually, one pet at a time |
| Ashes returned to you | No | Yes — hand-delivered to your home, typically 2–3 weeks after pickup |
| Home pickup included | Yes | Yes |
| Keepsakes included | None included (clay or ink prints can be added) | Clay paw print with gold display stand, cedar urn, fur clipping, cremation ID tag |
Plainly said
Why aren’t the ashes returned?
Ashes are not returned after a communal cremation because pets are cremated together, and once that has happened, individual ashes cannot be separated. We would rather say that plainly here than let it surprise any family later.
If having your pet’s ashes home matters to you, private cremation is the option that provides that — the comparison above shows how the two differ. And if you would like to know exactly how the ashes are cared for after a communal cremation, ask us when you call (626) 340-0000 — we will walk you through it plainly.
When you’re ready
How do I arrange a communal cremation?
Call (626) 340-0000 — phones are answered by a real person from 8am to 8pm, every day of the week — or schedule online anytime at app.passingpaws.com/book. We will ask a few gentle questions, quote you the flat $249, and arrange a time to come to you.
We are typically at your door within 2 hours of your call, and we come to homes and veterinary offices across Los Angeles County. We accept card payments, Zelle, checks, and cash. From there, everything is in our hands — you will not need to chase paperwork or make another call unless you want to.
A few honest answers
Common Questions About Communal Cremation
Do I get ashes back with communal cremation?
How much does communal pet cremation cost in Los Angeles?
Is communal cremation a bad or disrespectful option for my pet?
Does communal cremation include home pickup?
How do I arrange communal cremation for my pet?
Available Across Los Angeles
We Come to You
Home pickup in every community we serve — choose your city for local details.
Gentle, Simple, and Handled
One call, one flat price, nothing hidden. We answer 8am to 8pm, every day.