Your Pet’s Ashes Are Still in the Box

If your pet’s ashes have come home in a box or bag and you have not yet decided what to do, there is no rush. They can stay safely in the container they came back in for as long as you need.

About the container

It is the container the crematorium returned to you. If you are unsure how it opens, your crematorium can tell you. There is no need to open it until you feel ready.

What are my options?

• Keep them as they are. Keep the container somewhere safe until you decide.
• Scatter them. You might choose a place that mattered to you both. If the land belongs to someone else, ask the owner first.
• Choose an urn. An urn gives them a settled place at home, perhaps beside a favourite photograph.
• Keep a little and share the rest. Some people keep a small portion as a keepsake and scatter or bury the rest.

Moving ashes into an urn

Before you choose, check the urn’s opening, capacity and how it closes, and ask the seller if any of these are unclear. Your crematorium may also be able to help with the transfer.

If you would rather do it yourself, take your time. Work on a clear surface with a sheet of paper underneath, open the container carefully and pour gently, using a funnel if it helps. If the ashes are in a bag that fits through the urn’s opening, you can place the bag inside as it is; never force it. Then close the urn as its instructions describe.

When you are ready

See our pet urns · Custom pet urns from your photos · Find the right urn size

You can also read what to do with pet ashes or our pet loss support page.

They wander with you still.