Understand your aftercare options
Pet Aquamation vs. Traditional Pet Cremation
Both subjects may come up when you are arranging aftercare. The processes are different, and knowing which one a provider offers helps you make an informed choice.
We specialize exclusively in pet aquamation. We do not provide traditional flame cremation.
How do the processes differ?
| Question | Aquamation | Traditional cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Water-based alkaline hydrolysis using warmth and alkaline compounds. | A high-temperature flame-based process. |
| Does it use flame? | No flame. | Yes, it uses flame. |
| Other terms you may hear | Water cremation or flameless cremation. | Pet cremation or flame cremation. |
| Offered by Gentle Tide? | Yes. Private pet aquamation exclusively. | No. We do not offer traditional flame cremation. |
| Return of remains | Our packages include your pet’s ashes returned in an urn. | Ask the provider which arrangement returns your pet’s individual remains. |
What is traditional pet cremation?
Traditional pet cremation uses flame and high heat. After the process, the remaining bone material is processed. Providers may offer different care arrangements, so families should ask whether their chosen service includes the return of their own pet’s ashes.
What is pet aquamation?
Aquamation uses heated water and alkaline compounds to break down soft tissues. Afterward, the bone minerals are dried and processed into ashes for an urn. The scientific name is alkaline hydrolysis. Our aquamation service page explains how we arrange this care.
What remains are returned to the family?
Gentle Tide’s private aquamation packages include your pet’s ashes and an urn. These ashes come from the mineral bone material remaining after aquamation. Keepsakes depend on the package you choose.
With any provider, ask how your pet is identified, what “private” or “individual” means for that service, and what will be returned. The choice of process alone does not answer all of those questions.
Why might a family choose aquamation?
Some families prefer water-based care without flame. Others want a clear pickup plan, an urn for home, or time to compare their options. We can explain what our service includes without asking you to make an immediate decision.
Review our prices by pet weight and confirm the complete arrangements. Standard return is 5–7 business days; Diamond includes expedited 3-day service. Return timing includes more than the time spent in the aquamation process itself.
Is aquamation the same as cremation?
It is not the same as traditional flame cremation. “Water cremation” and “flameless cremation” are names used for aquamation because families receive processed remains in an urn, but the method is different. Always ask which process will actually be used.
Where can I find pet aquamation near me?
Gentle Tide arranges private aquamation for Suffolk County families, with home and veterinary pickup. Check the service area and town guides, or call with the address where your pet is currently located.
If you arrived while researching an alternative to pet cremation, our dog and cat aquamation guides offer practical next steps. More questions are answered in the aquamation FAQ.
General process reference: Bio-Response Solutions’ aquamation explanation. Our package terms and pickup arrangements are specific to Gentle Tide.
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