Pet cremation is offered in a few different forms. The two most common are private cremation and communal cremation. Each has different outcomes and price points.
Private cremation
In a private cremation, your pet is cremated alone. The ashes are then returned to you, often in a basic container with the option to upgrade to a personalized urn. Many families choose private cremation when they would like to keep, scatter, or memorialize the ashes.
Communal cremation
In a communal cremation, multiple pets are cremated together and the ashes are not returned. Communal cremation is typically less expensive and is sometimes called 'group' or 'shared' cremation.
Other variations
Some providers also offer 'partitioned' or 'individual' cremation, which can mean different things in different facilities. Always ask the provider to explain exactly what their service includes.