I was in contact with Island Memorial Pet Services prior to my pets passing. She was a 90 lb, very elderly dog with cancer, and I knew the time was coming, so I had talked to the service center to pre-arrange the services and get an understanding of the process. I requested a witness cremation. The entire process from them picking her up at home from an in-home euthenasia to the cremation process was done with great compassion, professionalism, and care. They gave us all the time we needed with our dog before we gave them the ok to take her. They wrapped her up with care and gentleness. When I arrived at the cremation center a few day later, they had her tucked in comfortable, looking like she was almost asleep, and let me say goodbye. It was important to me that I saw her off. They allowed me to watch her go into the cremation chamber, and look in at any time through the window from the waiting room to the crematorium. I was able to wait throught he entire process, and they returned her in a lovely wooden box.
A witness cremation may not be for everyone, but for me it gave me great comfort to hold vigil for my beloved pet until the end. The two gentleman that saw me through the process were kind, understanding, and very compassionate. I highly recommend Island Memorial, I cannot express how much this helped me with my own deep grieving at the loss of my girl and the feeling of confidence and relief that she was cared for and that I got all of her back home. read more