Blog / End-of-Life Care
Pet Cremation Cost in Melbourne: Communal $195, Private $280–$500
Pet cremation in Melbourne costs $195 communal or $280–$500 private, with home collection included. Prices by weight, what's included and how it works.
Dr. Jina Song, DVM
_By At Home Vetcare_
What pet cremation costs in Melbourne
There are two kinds of pet cremation: communal and private. We arrange cremation through Celestials Pet Cremation Service. Communal cremation is $195 for a pet of any size. Private cremation is priced by weight, from $280 for the smallest pets up to $500 for the largest dogs. Collection from your home and return of the ashes to your home are included in these prices.
Cremation is priced separately from the euthanasia visit. We'll confirm the exact price for your pet before anything is arranged.
Communal or private: what's the difference?
Communal cremation means your pet is cremated with other animals, and ashes are not returned. It's the most affordable option and a dignified one. Many families choose it when keeping ashes doesn't feel important to them.
Private cremation means your pet is cremated on their own and their ashes are returned to you, usually within 5 to 7 days, in a simple vessel with a certificate of cremation. You also get a tracking code so you can follow each step online. If you need the ashes back sooner, faster return can be arranged.
| Communal | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195, any size | $280–$500, by weight |
| Ashes returned | No | Yes |
| Home collection and return | Included | Included |
| Typical return time | Not applicable | 5–7 days |
| Online tracking | No | Yes |
| Vessel and certificate | No | Yes |
For a fuller side-by-side, see private vs communal pet cremation.
Private cremation prices by pet
| Pet's weight | Communal | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 kg (e.g. mice, rats, small birds) | $195 | $280 |
| 1–9.9 kg (most cats, rabbits, small dogs) | $195 | $400 |
| 10–24.9 kg | $195 | $440 |
| 25–39.9 kg | $195 | $460 |
| 40–59 kg | $195 | $500 |
Home collection and return are included at every weight.
What comes with private cremation
Private cremation includes:
- •a vessel for the ashes: a gold, silver or white metal tin, or a velvet bag
- •a certificate of cremation
- •online tracking from collection to return
An ink paw print and a fur clipping are free if you ask. Dr Jina can take them during the visit.
If you'd like something more, keepsake urns and memorials are available, from wooden boxes (from $89) and ceramic urns ($95) to glass keepsakes that hold a small amount of ashes. A clay paw print is $100 and engraving is $30. Ask us and we'll send you the full Celestials catalogue.
Arranging cremation with an at-home euthanasia
When you book an at-home pet euthanasia in Melbourne, Dr Jina Song will talk you through aftercare before or during the visit. You don't need to decide in advance, though you're welcome to. If you choose cremation, we organise it with Celestials once your family has had time to say goodbye. There's no rush.
The home visit ($399 for pocket animals, $449 for cats and dogs) covers the visit itself. Cremation is added on top. To see what the visit involves, read what happens during an at-home euthanasia visit.
If your pet has died at home
If your pet has passed away at home, call us and we can arrange cremation for you. The same options and prices apply, including collection from your home. In the meantime, keep your pet somewhere cool, and we'll guide you on what to do next.
Planning ahead
If your pet is unwell, perhaps with kidney disease, heart disease or cancer, and is under palliative care, it can help to decide on aftercare early. You don't need to pay anything in advance. Knowing whether you'd like communal or private cremation means one less decision on a hard day. Our guide to pet aftercare options covers burial and other choices too.
If you'd like to talk it through first, a $99 telehealth call with Dr Jina is a gentle way to ask questions.
Talk to us
For cremation with a home visit, or if your pet has already passed, call (03) 9115 1472 or book online. See our aftercare services for more detail.
When to call us
If this article is relevant to a decision you're weighing, here are the services that match.
Common questions
How much does pet cremation cost in Melbourne?
Communal cremation is $195 for any size, and ashes are not returned. Private cremation is $280 to $500 depending on your pet's weight. Collection from your home and return of the ashes are included.
What's the difference between communal and private cremation?
In communal cremation, pets are cremated together and ashes aren't returned. In private cremation, your pet is cremated alone and the ashes come back to you, usually within 5 to 7 days, with a certificate and online tracking.
How much does dog cremation cost in Melbourne?
$195 communal. Private is $400 for dogs under 10 kg, $440 for 10–24.9 kg, $460 for 25–39.9 kg and $500 for 40–59 kg.
How much does cat cremation cost in Melbourne?
$195 communal, or $400 for private cremation for most cats (1–9.9 kg), with ashes returned.
Can cremation be arranged with an at-home euthanasia?
Yes. We arrange it for you, so you don't need to contact anyone else. Cremation is priced separately from the visit.
What can I do with my pet's ashes?
You can keep them, scatter them, bury them or place them in an urn. There's no right or wrong choice.
Sources
- Celestials Pet Cremation Service, Aftercare partner; Services & Products price guide for communal and private cremation, inclusions and turnaround
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If you have questions about your pet's care or want to discuss your situation, please reach out. No pressure, no obligation.
