Frequently Asked Questions

You have several options:

• Call Oak and Ash at 616-425-9551. We do our best to accommodate by having an on-call team member. Weekend fees are additional if you require service outside of regular business hours.
• Locate a 24-hour veterinary practice that can receive the body and hold it until arrangements can be made for us to pick it up.
• Keep the body in a cool place until such time it can be transported to us during business hours. If you are comfortable with this option, we recommend that you utilize a waterproof bag and a cold environment such as a deep freezer or an air-conditioned room.
• You can always go directly to our website portal to schedule service with transportation and someone will reach out to you to plan service.

Business hours at Oak and Ash are Monday–Thursday from 9am–4pm and Fridays from 9am–3pm.

Cremation is a method of body disposal that serves as an alternative to traditional burial. The pet's remains are incinerated in a cremation chamber or "retort" and reduced to basic chemical compounds – gases, ashes, and mineral fragments — which are sometimes referred to as "cremains." Following a sufficient period of cool down, the bone particles and ash are retrieved from the retort and then processed into a fine powder. The cremains are then placed into a secure clear cremation bag. Then, the bag is returned to you as is, placed into the memorialization urn of your choice.

No. On occasion, family members will wrap their pet in a favorite blanket or some other personal article of meaning to the pet or family members.

Pricing varies depending on your preferred type of cremation, size of your pet and the memorialization options you choose. Please call our office to discuss specific pricing and allow us to answer any other questions you might have. 616-425-9551

Your pet is usually returned within 7 to 14 days after we have received them. We do have an option for expedited pickup and returns. Each service requested will be assigned a reference number so that you may track your pet once they are in our care.

For several reasons, the majority of pets are cremated today. First, in many urban communities, ordinances or space restrictions prohibit owners from burying their pets in the backyard. With our society becoming so much more mobile, choosing cremation gives you the ability to take your pet's cremated remains with you if you move to another home.

This is really an individual choice. Fifteen years ago, most families chose communal cremation – as most chose not to receive back their pet's cremated remains. Today, that ratio has flipped and more pet families are choosing individual and/or private cremation as they prefer to have their pet's cremated remains returned to them.

Oak and Ash utilizes a digital tracking system so that you may track your pet from the moment you leave your pet's side to the time they return home. By using this system, we can provide you with absolute proof that you are receiving back your pet's cremated remains. Furthermore, if you desire, we can facilitate arrangements for you to be present at your pet's cremation for the ultimate peace of mind.

There are 3 types of pet cremations.

• Private Cremation is when your pet is the only pet in the retort during the cremation process. This guarantees you will receive your pet's remains back.
• Individual cremation is when your pet is cremated by itself or separated from others with a partition during the cremation. This process allows for remains to be separate ensuring you will receive your pet's remains back.
• Communal cremation is when the retort is filled with pets and all of their cremated remains are commingled as a result. With this type of cremation, it is impossible for the provider to return your pet's cremated remains to you.

Because of the lack of regulation, it is important for you to ask your pet cremation provider what they mean when they use the terms like individual cremation in order to ensure you are clear about the choice you are making.