At All Paws Great & Small Funeral Home, Crematory, and Cemetery, we understand the profound bond between pets and their people. For decades, we’ve served the San Antonio community by providing compassionate, professional care when families need it most. As pet lovers ourselves, we know how deeply the loss of a beloved animal companion can be felt.
That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand the pet cremation process and make informed decisions during a difficult time. According to a study done by IBIS World, over 70% of U.S. households now own a pet, and as of 2023, the pet aftercare industry has grown into a $1.3 billion market, reflecting a deeper cultural recognition that the death of a pet is a profound loss that deserves dignity, respect, and personalized care. Read this blog to learn more about cremation services.
Understanding the Value of Pet Cremation
When a pet passes away, families are often faced with difficult choices. One of the most common decisions is whether to opt for cremation. At All Paws Great & Small, we believe cremation is more than a service, it’s a way to honor and cherish the life of your pet. Cremation offers a dignified alternative to burial, particularly in urban environments like San Antonio, where space may be limited or local regulations prohibit home burials. Choosing cremation gives you the flexibility to memorialize your pet in a way that fits your family’s values whether that means keeping their ashes close, scattering them in a meaningful place, or placing them in a permanent resting spot in your home.
Private vs. Communal Cremation, What’s the Difference?
One of the first decisions to make is the type of cremation. At All Paws Great & Small, we offer two primary options, private and communal cremation. Private Cremation means your pet is cremated alone in a clean, individual chamber. The ashes returned to you are 100% your pet’s. This option is ideal for families who wish to keep their pet’s remains in a special urn or scatter them in a meaningful place.
On the other hand, communal cremation is an option where multiple pets are cremated together, and no ashes are returned. This is a more economical option, and some families choose it for the environmental simplicity. Ashes from communal cremations are scattered respectfully in our designated garden on-site. We’ll walk you through both options so you can decide what feels right for your family.
On-Site Cremation for Peace of Mind
Unlike many other providers, All Paws Great & Small offers on-site cremation services at our San Antonio facility. This means your pet never leaves our care. Having our own crematory allows us to provide timely services, maintain full transparency, and uphold the highest standards of care.
Our crematory staff are certified, experienced, and passionate about what they do. They understand the trust you place in us and treat every pet with reverence and respect. Families are even welcome to witness the start of the cremation process if that helps bring closure and comfort. While not everyone chooses this, the option is available by appointment.
Choosing the Right Memorial Option
After cremation, many families ask, “What should we do with the ashes?” There’s no right or wrong answer, only what feels meaningful to you. At our funeral home, we offer a wide selection of urns, keepsakes, and memorial jewelry to help you preserve your pet’s memory. Some popular options include customized ceramic or wooden urns engraved with your pet’s name, biodegradable urns for scattering or earth burial, paw print pendants with a small portion of cremains inside, and framed paw prints or nose prints with nameplates. We also offer memorial plaques, headstones, and engraved garden stones for families who choose interment in our on-site cemetery.
Our Pet Funeral Home, A Place of Peace
All Paws Great & Small is proud to maintain San Antonio’s premier funeral which is a beautiful space where families can say goodbye to their companions. Our funeral home offers various ways to best honor your pet’s life. We also host annual remembrance events that many of our families attend, forming a supportive community of pet lovers who understand the depth of this unique grief.
Pre-Planning for Peace of Mind
While it’s not always easy to think about, pre-planning pet cremation services can make a painful time a little easier. Many families find comfort in knowing their wishes are on file and that their beloved pet will be cared for according to their values. We offer no-cost pre-planning consultations where we walk you through service options like cremation, burial, or both.
We also assist in urn and memorial choices along with cemetery arrangements if needed. Finally, we offer assistance with financial planning and flexible payment options. Having a plan in place can lift a huge burden from your shoulders when the time comes and ensures your pet’s farewell is just the way you envisioned it.
Transparent Pricing with No Hidden Fees
One of our founding principles at All Paws Great & Small is transparency. We believe pet families should know exactly what they’re paying for, no surprises, no upselling. Our cremation packages start at a reasonable rate and include everything you need, including transport, a keepsake urn, a cremation certificate, and the return of your pet’s ashes. We also offer full-service packages depending on your budget and family’s preferences. We’ll walk you through each service and cost upfront, so you can make a decision that works for both your heart and your budget.
Honoring All Pets, Great and Small
We proudly serve all kinds of animals, not just cats and dogs. Over the decades, we’ve cared for rabbits, birds, reptiles, horses, guinea pigs, turtles, ferrets, and even a few exotic pets. Each animal is treated with the same level of dignity and attention, regardless of size or species. Our facility is equipped to accommodate pets up to 300 pounds, and our team is trained in handling animals of all types. No matter who your companion was, we’re here to ensure their life is honored with compassion and care.
Our work is a privilege, and we are constantly moved by the beautiful ways families choose to remember their pets. We’ve seen candlelit vigils for therapy dogs, garden burials for beloved cats, memorial trees planted in honor of birds who sang every morning, and motorcycle escorts for retired K9 units. These stories remind us that love takes many forms and so does grief. Our walls are filled with thank-you notes, paw prints, and photos of cherished companions who’ve crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It’s not just a job for us, it’s a calling.
A Legacy of Trust in San Antonio, Saying Goodbye with Grace
Serving San Antonio and the surrounding communities for over 30 years, All Paws Great & Small has become a name families trust during their most vulnerable moments. Generations of pet parents have come to us with confidence, knowing their companions will be treated with the utmost respect. We’re honored to be part of this city’s fabric, providing both comfort and closure during life’s hardest goodbyes.
Losing a pet is never easy, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At All Paws Great & Small Funeral Home, Crematory, and Cemetery, we’re here to help you celebrate the life of your cherished companion with dignity, love, and compassion. Whether you’re in the early stages of considering pet aftercare or facing an immediate loss, we invite you to reach out to our caring team.
