Cremation & Memorials FAQ

What happens during cremation?

Cremation is a process where, with the use of intense heat, the remains are reduced to ashes, or cremains. The body of your pet is laid on the hearth, or floor, of the cremation chamber and the door is closed and secured. An average-sized pet takes approximately 3 hours to cremate. The cremains (mostly bones now) are removed from the unit and processed to a very fine consistency. We place the cremains in an urn and return them to you. If you do not wish to have your pet returned, we offer burial of the cremains at Peaceful Pines, a beautiful 188-acre farm in East Texas, for no additional charge.

How do I know that the cremains (ashes) I get back are only my pets?

Beyond the Rainbow uses a Cremation Authentication System identical to the one's used in the human funeral industry.  As soon as we take your beloved pet into our care, we attach a metal tag stamped with a unique number.  This number is recorded on our paperwork and the tag stays on your pet throughout the entire cremation process.

What is the difference between a "private" and "communal" or "group" cremation?

A “private” cremation means that your pet is the only animal in the cremation chamber.  Once the cremation is complete, your pet's remains are removed and placed in the urn.

A “communal” or “group” cremation means that several pets are cremated together.  The cremation chamber is filled with animals and they are cremated at the same time.  Obviously, there is no way to separate your pet from the others, so returning your pet to you is not possible with this option.

Beyond the Rainbow does not offer this service to our pet parents.  We would never stack or pile other animals on top of our beloved pets, and would not do that to your pet either. We treat your fur-babies as we would treat ours from the moment we take them into our care and wrap them in our Tender Loving Care blanket, until we return the cremains to you, or until burial is complete.

What happens to my pet after you pick it up from the clinic or my home?

We strive to arrive at the clinic or your home before or within one hour of the death or euthanasia of your pet.  If you have scheduled that final appointment with your family veterinarian, call us and tell us the appointment time.  We will be there with you and give you the emotional support that you will need during this difficult time.  When you are ready for us to take your baby into our care, we wrap them in our Tender Loving Care© blanket and carry them to our car.  This is different from the services that have been offered by clinics in the past.  Traditionally, a clinic "holds" pets until the crematory they contract with comes by on their regularly scheduled route.    

If you and your family want additional time to say good-bye, we arrange a time with you to come to your home and offer you, at no charge, a candlelight visitation, so you, your family and friends have a private place and time for your final farewells.

I don't want to cremate. What about burial options?

Most municipalities in Tarrant and Dallas counties prohibit burying pets in your yard.  There are several pet cemeteries in the area and we can arrange for the burial of your beloved pet at the one of your choosing.  We will talk with you about the ones closest to your home, and provide a casket and graveside service, even a Chaplain to say a few words.  For more information on burial options, please see our Memorial Services page.

I'd like to have a small memorial service for my pet, but won't my friends think I am crazy if I tell them I'm having a "funeral for my dog"?

We know that to some this will be a strange concept.  But we can make those calls for you. And, most likely, you will be inviting friends that have been in your home and known your pet.  You are giving them the opportunity to say good-bye too.

Just as funerals for human family members allow us the needed opportunity to say good-bye and grieve, a memorial for your beloved pet also allows you to grieve, and begin the healing process.

 And it allows your friends to give you support when they don't know what else to do.  We even provide Memorial Programs with a photo of your pet.