As others have mentioned, both the products and business practices have changed considerably since…read morethis was Eden Memorial. Customer service and personal touches provided by Eden Memorial were noticed and were appreciated - and still are 10+ years later.
Now, under West Coast Pet Memorial, my calls were not returned, and I received no responses to emails or messages submitted through the website's contact form. Although other memorial options were reportedly available, no one responded when I tried to discuss upgrading before leaving my pet with the veterinarian. I also could not get an answer about whether I could bring my pet to the facility myself.
The standard container now appears to be a one-size-fits-all bamboo box for pets up to approximately 40 pounds, identified with an impersonal computer-generated label and barcode. Both my small cat and my 16.3-pound dog were returned in the same-sized box. There is so much extra room inside that the bag of ashes slides from one side to the other. If you wish to open the box to scatter the ashes, you must use a screwdriver to remove a screw and slide the bottom panel open.
The cremation of my 16.3-pound dog, including the standard box, cost $263.22. For comparison, the veterinarian who helped him pass charged $168 and was extraordinarily compassionate--taking time to examine him, watch videos showing what was happening at home, and discuss whether any other options remained before beginning the euthanasia process.
When this business operated as Eden Memorial, the experience felt much more personal and caring. Calls and emails were answered, and my pets were returned in a way that made me feel they had been treated as beloved family members. Their ashes came in beautiful, size-appropriate wooden boxes with locks. Each included a key tucked inside a small envelope that said, "When you're ready," along with a handwritten identification label, a personal card, and a small heart-shaped, seed-embedded keepsake that could be planted. The boxes from about 10 years ago were size appropriate to the pet - a small cat was returned in a smaller box than my 14lb dog.
The current standard box from West Coast Memorial felt far too impersonal for such a special dog, an is exactly the same as the box a smaller cat was returned in a few years ago. I ultimately ordered a replacement for my dog elsewhere for less than $50. It features an image of my dog etched from a photograph, along with his name, dates, and a short memorial quote--and it came out beautifully.
If having a personalized urn or keepsake box is important to you, I recommend purchasing one separately. There are many thoughtful and reasonably priced options available through Etsy, Amazon, and other sellers.
