Behind the scenes at an Adelaide pet crematorium
A behind-the-scenes look at an Adelaide pet crematorium reveals a compassionate process of final goodbyes for pets who’ve crossed the Rainbow Bridge. WATCH the video.
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A year ago, the Day family on the Yorke Peninsula waited for a kind-gestured text message to arrive.
When it did, they lit a memorial candle for their furry soulmate Ebony Lee who had passed away days earlier.
The 16-year-old Australian silky terrier was being cremated 151km away in Adelaide.
WARNING: CONFRONTING CONTENT BELOW
Unable to be there in person to say their final farewells, the pet crematorium offered to text a message to the family at the moment of Ebony Lee’s cremation.
“We were devastated when we lost her – she was part of our family,” says pet owner Tracey Day, 46.
“Receiving that message was very important for us, for closure,” she says.
Mrs Day cannot give enough praise to Edenhills Pet Cremation for helping the family through such a tough time.
So how are our furry, feathery and sometimes scaly family members looked after in cremation and what actually happens?
The Sunday Mail took a behind-the-scenes look at the Edenhills Pet Cremation headquarters in Lonsdale to breakdown some common stereotypes behind the morbid and largely unknown industry of pet cremation services.
The industry is worth about $20 million in Australia and it’s growing, with about five per cent more South Aussie pet owners each year willing to part with $200-$300, on average, to give their pet the personalised send-off of a private cremation.
“It’s not that more pets are dying but people are choosing to honour their pet in a special way more often – so it’s now quite a normal thing to do,” says Edenhills founder Lance Stringer.
“And it’s not the stereotypical wealthy, well-to-do Poodle owner, but normal, everyday families with a staffy, a labrador or a moggy,” he says.
“About 60 per cent of our pet owners are now choosing to have private cremations (instead of communal ones) and more are personalising how they memorialise their pets in much more unique ways.”
Edenhills is one of a handful of pet crematoriums in the state and takes care of about 5000 pets a year.
Animals cremated are mostly dogs (60 per cent) and cats (30 per cent) but also anything from guinea pigs, frogs, rats, snakes, rabbits, birds, to goats and fish.
Edenhills has three cremation units – two with separate chambers – running at around 800 degrees Celsius for animals as small as mice right up to pet livestock such as sheep and alpacas.
The process can take up to three hours and each unit is thoroughly cleaned after use.
Every pet has a unique tracker ID and undergoes a seven-check id system to safeguard against mix ups.
A picture of a tortoise in the crematorium reminds staff that slow and steady wins the race to “100 per cent success in our daily service”.
“We really are raising the bar in pet cremation, which in the past has been provided in a fairly basic process,” says Mr Stringer, who’s been a part of the family-run business since he was 11.
“We want people to have confidence that we offer the services and high standards expected of our two or four-legged loved ones.”
Most pets arrive at Edenhills through veterinary clinics, however pets who have passed away at home are also collected by a loyal team of staff who go to great lengths to make the retrieval as smooth, dignified and compassionate as possible.
Edenhills driver Alan Murray recalls a “very special home collect” in Adelaide where an elderly pet owner “was absolutely beside himself with grief”.
The man’s dog – a large Malamute – had passed away that morning.
“My main concern was for the pet owner – he was so distressed,” says Mr Murray.
So Mr Murray made the man a cup of tea and after a chat, he seemed to relax.
They were able to place the Malamute wrapped in his favourite blanket in the customised Edenhills van.
The elderly owner sat and stroked his giant Malamute’s ears and they had some time together. Mr Murray, who had been listening to Lark Ascending, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, suggested it could be a fitting send off if they played the song.
“The combination of this beautiful music, this magnificent Malamute and the pet owner, who actually resembled my father … who had recently passed away, meant I stood there, and had to draw on all my training and resources to keep it together and professional,” says Mr Murray.
“It was a very touching moment – a very, very special moment – and I felt very privileged to be there.”
Once at Edenhills, pets are received by pet after-care specialist Karina Irvine who meticulously fulfils the special instructions of families for their pet’s cremation.
Ms Irvine might be asked by pet families to collect fur clippings, or a paw print in clay or ink, which can then be used as artwork for jewellery or even a tattoo.
Some clients opt for memorial plaques, and memorial boxes containing their pet’s ashes, while others have a small amount of their pet’s ashes inset into a glass ornament.
Requests also include placing flowers, heartfelt messages, drawings from children, favourite treats and toys in the cremator with their pet.
Pet families might ask staff to give their pet one last farewell, maybe a gently spoken ‘I love you’ or a heartfelt stroke goodbye on their behalf.
“It’s so amazing to be a part of this genuine, unconditional love that people have for their pets,” says Ms Irvine.
“It’s very rewarding. We do everything we can to provide a good, lasting impression for our pet families.”
For support call the 24/7 pet loss Supportline on 1300 431 450 or GriefLine on 1300 845 745.
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