After a beloved pet passes away, many families choose to have their companion's remains returned to them.
But what do pet ashes actually look like?
And are the ashes from Cremation by Water, also known as Aquamation, different from the ashes produced by traditional flame cremation?
Yes.
There can be noticeable differences in both the color and amount of mineral remains returned to a family, and understanding why begins with understanding how each cremation process works.
Are Pet Ashes Actually Ashes?
Technically, not exactly.
What families commonly call their pet's "ashes" are primarily processed mineral bone remains.
This is true following both traditional flame cremation and Aquamation.
After either process is completed, the remaining mineral bone is carefully processed into the fine material returned to the family.
The major difference is what happens to those bones during the cremation process.
What Color Are Pet Ashes After Flame Cremation?
Traditional pet cremation uses extremely high temperatures and combustion.
Temperatures can approach approximately 2,000°F.
Because the bones are subjected to intense heat and fire, the resulting processed mineral remains may have a gray, darker, or less naturally bone-colored appearance.
The exact appearance can vary.
This is the type of pet ashes most families have traditionally seen because flame cremation has historically been the most widely available form of pet cremation.
What Color Are Pet Ashes After Aquamation?
Aquamation is different because there is no burning involved.
Cremation by Water uses water, alkalinity, circulation, and gentle heat rather than fire.
At Soothing Streams Pet Services, the water used during the process is heated to approximately 204°F, dramatically lower than the temperatures associated with traditional flame cremation.
Because the mineral bone is not subjected to combustion, Aquamation typically produces remains that are lighter and more naturally bone-colored.
For many families, this is one of the first differences they notice when seeing Aquamation remains.
Why Are Aquamation Ashes Lighter?
The difference comes primarily from the process.
Traditional flame cremation exposes bone to extreme heat and combustion.
Aquamation does not.
Instead, water and alkalinity gently accelerate the natural process that occurs after burial while leaving the mineral portion of the bones behind.
Those mineral remains are then carefully dried and processed.
Because they haven't been subjected to fire, their appearance generally remains closer to the bone's natural mineral color.
Do You Get More Ashes Back With Aquamation?
Generally, yes.
Families may receive up to approximately 20% more of their pet's mineral remains back through Aquamation compared with traditional flame cremation.
This can be one of the most meaningful differences between the two processes for families who want their pet's remains returned.
Traditional flame cremation exposes bone to extremely high temperatures.
Aquamation does not.
As a result, more of the mineral bone can remain available to be returned to the family following Cremation by Water.
Why Would Receiving More of My Pet's Remains Matter?
For some families, it may not.
For others, it can matter tremendously.
Pet owners choose many different ways to memorialize their companions.
Some keep all of their pet's remains in an urn.
Others scatter a portion in a favorite park, backyard, lake, trail, beach, or other meaningful place.
Some divide the remains among family members.
Others incorporate small amounts into memorial jewelry or other keepsakes.
Having more of your pet's mineral remains returned provides more flexibility in deciding how you want to remember your companion.
Aquamation Ashes vs. Flame Cremation Ashes
The easiest way to understand the difference is side by side.
Traditional Flame Cremation
Uses fire and combustion.
Can approach approximately 2,000°F.
Mineral remains may appear darker or grayer.
Extreme heat can reduce the amount of mineral remains ultimately returned.
Cremation by Water / Aquamation
Uses water instead of fire.
Uses gentle heat, circulation, and alkalinity.
At Soothing Streams, the process uses water at approximately 204°F.
Mineral remains are generally lighter and more naturally bone-colored.
Families may receive up to approximately 20% more mineral remains.
There is no burning involved.
Will My Dog's Ashes Look Different After Aquamation?
Yes, they can.
Dog owners choosing Aquamation will generally receive lighter, naturally bone-colored mineral remains rather than the darker or grayer appearance that may occur with flame cremation.
The same basic difference applies whether your companion was a small Chihuahua, a Labrador Retriever, a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd, a Great Dane, or another breed.
The size of your dog will affect the amount of remains returned, but the Aquamation process itself remains fundamentally different from flame cremation.
Will My Cat's Ashes Look Different After Aquamation?
Yes.
Cats can also receive Cremation by Water.
Following private Aquamation, the mineral remains returned from a cat will generally have the same lighter, natural bone-colored appearance associated with the Aquamation process.
Families searching for cat cremation near me may not realize that traditional flame cremation isn't their only option.
What Do Rabbit, Bird or Reptile Ashes Look Like?
Cremation by Water can also be used for many smaller and exotic companion animals.
These can include rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, chickens, reptiles, bearded dragons, geckos, snakes, ferrets, rats, fish, and other pets.
The amount of mineral remains naturally varies according to the size and skeletal structure of the animal.
But the same fundamental Aquamation process allows the remaining mineral bone to be carefully processed and returned following private aftercare.
Can I Keep Aquamation Ashes in a Regular Pet Urn?
Yes.
Aquamation remains can be placed into pet urns just as remains from traditional flame cremation can.
Families can choose from many memorial options, including:
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Traditional pet urns
-
Photo urns
-
Memorial boxes
-
Keepsake urns
-
Memorial jewelry
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Scattering
-
Burial of the mineral remains
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Sharing portions among family members
Aquamation simply provides a different process for caring for your pet before those mineral remains are returned.
Can I Get a Paw Print or Other Keepsake With Aquamation?
Yes.
Depending on the services selected, memorial keepsakes may include:
Clay paw impressions
Ink paw prints
Ink nose prints
Tufts of fur
Memorial urns
Other personalized keepsakes
These items are typically created before the Aquamation process begins.
For many families, combining an urn containing their pet's mineral remains with a paw print, nose print, or tuft of fur creates a meaningful memorial.
Is Aquamation Better Than Flame Cremation?
That is a personal decision.
Both processes ultimately allow families choosing private aftercare to receive their pet's processed mineral remains.
But the processes are significantly different.
Some families choose Aquamation because they prefer water rather than fire.
Others choose it because of its environmental advantages.
Some prefer the lighter, naturally bone-colored appearance of the remains.
Others appreciate receiving potentially up to approximately 20% more of their companion's mineral remains back.
And some simply find the idea of Cremation by Water more aligned with how they want their pet cared for.
Where Can I Find Pet Aquamation Near Atlanta?
Soothing Streams Pet Services provides Cremation by Water for pets from our Lawrenceville, Georgia location, serving families throughout Metro Atlanta and surrounding communities.
Families searching for pet Aquamation near me, pet cremation near me, dog cremation near me, cat cremation near me, or Aquamation Atlanta can contact Soothing Streams directly.
We serve families throughout Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Duluth, Buford, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Atlanta, and surrounding communities.
See the Difference Before You Decide
If you're deciding between traditional flame cremation and Cremation by Water, ask to see examples of the mineral remains produced by each process.
The difference can be easier to understand when you actually see it.
Traditional flame cremation and Aquamation do not produce identical results.
One uses extreme heat and fire.
The other uses water.
The resulting color and amount of mineral remains can reflect that difference.
Up Until Now, You May Never Have Thought About the Ashes
Most pet owners understandably focus on the immediate loss of their companion.
Few people think ahead of time about what their pet's ashes will actually look like.
And unless someone tells you, you may never know there is a difference.
Cremation by Water can produce lighter, naturally bone-colored mineral remains and up to approximately 20% more remains returned to the family.
Those are differences worth knowing before choosing your pet's aftercare.
Gentle Cremation by Water
Soothing Streams Pet Services specializes in Cremation by Water, also known as Aquamation, for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, rabbits, and many other beloved companion animals.
If you're comparing Aquamation ashes vs. cremation ashes, or searching for pet Aquamation near you, contact Soothing Streams directly.
We'll explain the process, show you the differences, and help you make an informed choice for your companion.
Water instead of fire.
Lighter, naturally bone-colored remains.
Up to approximately 20% more of your pet's mineral remains returned.
Gentle Cremation by Water.