When a beloved pet passes, it’s natural to have questions about how their final care will be handled. At Shore Pet Cremation, we believe families deserve complete transparency, comfort, and confidence every step of the way. Our licensed and trained staff personally oversee every detail—from transport to cremation—right here on the Eastern Shore.
This page was created to help guide you through the important questions to ask your veterinarian or pet care provider and your pet cremation provider about cremation. By understanding how your pet will be cared for, you can ensure they receive the same respect, dignity, and love they gave you every day of their life.
Questions to Ask your Vet or Pet Care Provider
How long is my pet left with the clinic? At Shore Pet Cremation, we do things differently. While most veterinary clinics must store pets in freezers for several days—sometimes longer—waiting for a third-party cremation service to make a scheduled pickup, our licensed and trained staff come out right away to bring your pet directly into our care. We personally oversee every aspect of the cremation process at our licensed funeral establishments, ensuring your pet is never left waiting or handled by an outside service. This immediate, compassionate approach means your beloved companion is treated with the utmost dignity, respect, and care from the very first moment, giving you complete peace of mind during a difficult time.
What happens if a death occurs after hours, on a holiday or weekend? At Shore Pet Cremation, we are available 24/7 through our licensed funeral establishments, so you can reach us any day, night, weekend, or holiday. If a pet passes outside of regular hours, our trained and licensed staff are ready to respond immediately, providing compassionate care and guidance, and ensuring your beloved companion is handled with dignity and respect from the very first moment.
Questions to ask your pet cremation provider
Is the cremation provider a licensed, dedicated pet cremation company or a third-party service? At Shore Pet Cremation, we are fully licensed with the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors and are family owned and operated through Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home. This means your pet’s aftercare is handled by the same licensed professionals who have been trusted by families for generations. Our trained and compassionate staff personally oversee every step of the cremation process within our licensed funeral establishments, never outsourcing care to third parties. This level of professional oversight and family dedication ensures your beloved companion is treated with the highest standards of dignity, respect, and compassion—the same way we care for every family we serve.
How can I be sure those cremated remains are in fact those of my beloved pet? At Shore Pet Cremation, to offer comfort during this difficult time, every cremation comes with a certificate verifying that the remains belong to your treasured pet. It ensures they were treated with care and respect from start to finish.
How is the pet transported, and can I arrange to be present when my pet is transferred to the cremation provider? At Shore Pet Cremation, our licensed and trained staff personally transport your beloved pet with gentle care and respect, bringing them directly to our licensed funeral establishment. Every step is handled with dignity and compassion, ensuring your companion is treated as the cherished family member they are.
What identification methods are used to ensure my pet remains are correctly identified throughout the process? At Shore Pet Cremation, we follow a strict identification and tracking process to ensure you receive the cremated remains of your beloved pet—and only your pet. From the moment your pet enters our care, they are assigned a unique identification tag and number that stays with them throughout the entire process. This tag accompanies your pet during transport, throughout the cremation itself, and during the return of the cremated remains. Each step is carefully documented and verified by our licensed and trained staff at our licensed funeral establishments, providing complete transparency and peace of mind. Our meticulous tagging and record keeping system guarantees the integrity, respect, and dignity your pet deserves every step of the way.
What if death occurs at home? At Shore Pet Cremation, we make transports directly from your place of residence or families can bring their beloved pet to one of our local funeral homes. With locations available 24/7 in Centreville, Kent Island, Chestertown, Easton, Greensboro and Millington, we make it convenient for all on the Eastern Shore. Shore Pet Cremation also transports from area veterinary clinics that choose to provide a high level of care and oversight when caring for a deceased pet.
What turnaround time should I expect? At Shore Pet Cremation, pets are ready for their families within 3-4 days, yet we are happy to expedite whenever possible, so your beloved friend is with you when you need them most during this tender time. By owning and operating our crematory we can work within your requests and needs.
What options are available for memorial urns or keepsakes? Shore Pet Cremation offers a thoughtful selection of urns and keepsakes—including paw‐prints, glass art, scattering vessels and custom memorials—as well as traditional urns made from materials like ceramic, wood, or metal. These options allow you to create a personalized tribute that reflects your pet’s unique personality or your home décor. As a family owned service operated by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, every item is handled with the highest standards of care, dignity, and quality, so you can cherish your companion’s memory in a meaningful and special way.
What happens if a death occurs after hours, on a holiday or weekend? At Shore Pet Cremation, we are available 24/7 through our licensed funeral establishments, so you can reach us any day, night, weekend, or holiday. If a pet passes outside of regular hours, our trained and licensed staff are ready to respond immediately, providing compassionate care and guidance, and ensuring your beloved companion is handled with dignity and respect from the very first moment.
