CANA Certified Crematory
Veteran Owned
24/7 Home Pick Up
100% Private Cremation - Guaranteed
RIGHT NOW
The First Thing to Do in the Next 15 Minutes
You don't need to figure everything out right now. You just need to handle the next few minutes. Here's exactly what to do.
Immediate Steps — Small or Medium Pets (cats, small & medium dogs)
1
Move your pet to a cool, dry place indoors — away from direct sunlight and heat. A bathroom or laundry room works well.
2
Gently wrap them in a towel, blanket, or sheet — something that feels right to you. This is a dignity step, not a requirement.
3
Place them in a large plastic bag or a box if you have one. This simply keeps things contained and hygienic.
4
Call or text us. We will be on our way within minutes. Pickup is usually within one hour.
For Large Dogs (Over 50 lbs)
1
If possible, move them indoors or into shade. If they passed outside and can't be moved, that's okay — just call us and tell us where they are.
2
Keep other pets and children away from the area if possible, to give everyone — including you — a moment of calm.
3
Place them in a large plastic bag or a box if you have one. This simply keeps things contained and hygienic.
4
Call us immediately. We have the equipment to handle large pets with full dignity. You do not need to do anything else.
CALL ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions People Ask When Their Pet Dies at Home
You're probably not thinking clearly right now, and that's okay. Here are honest answers to the things most people want to know.
How Do I Know For Sure My Pet Has Passed?
Signs that a pet has passed include no visible breathing or chest movement, no response to touch or sound, eyes that remain open and fixed, and muscles that may be relaxed. The body will begin to feel cooler to the touch within minutes. If you are uncertain, it's okay to call your veterinarian to confirm. You can also call us — we've spoken with many families in exactly this moment and can help you work through it calmly.
How Long Do I Have Before I Need to Act?
In Florida's climate, you have roughly 6 hours if your pet is kept in a cool, indoor space. Heat and humidity accelerate natural processes significantly, so if your pet passed outdoors or in a warm room, acting immediately is the wisest choice. Do not feel panicked — you have time to make a thoughtful decision. But time IS of the essence.
My Pet Died In the Middle of the Night. Can I Call Now?
Yes. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including holidays. Death doesn't follow business hours, and neither do I. Call or text (904) 955-8521 at any hour. I'll always answer. If I don't answer, it likely means I am with another grieving pet parent at that very moment. I WILL call you back.
My Other Pets Are Acting Strange. Is That Normal?
Completely normal. Dogs and cats — and many other animals — grieve. They may sniff around where their companion passed, act restless, eat less, or seem to search for the missing pet. Allow them to investigate if they want to — many animal behaviorists believe this helps pets process the loss. In the days ahead, give them extra attention and keep their routine as stable as possible. Their grief is real.
Should I Let My Other Pets See the Body?
Many pet owners and animal behaviorists believe that allowing surviving pets to briefly see and smell their companion can help them understand what has happened and reduce prolonged searching behavior. This is your call entirely. If it feels right for your family, there is no harm in allowing a brief, supervised moment. If it doesn't feel right, trust that instinct too.
Can I Place Something In the Cremation With My Pet?
Yes — and this is one of the things we do that many cremation services do not offer. If you'd like your pet cremated with a favorite toy, a small blanket, a note, or a memento, we are happy to do that at no extra charge. Just let us know when you call. Many families find this meaningful.
How Do I Know the Ashes I Receive Are Truly of My Pet?
This is one of the most important questions to ask any cremation provider. We perform only private cremations — one pet at a time, every time. We do not perform "partitioned" cremations (where multiple pets are cremated together and remains are divided) and then TELL YOU it was a private cremation. Your pet's cremation is truly individual, and the ashes returned are truly theirs. My integrity is not negotiable on this point.
If a crematory tells you that they have 'special tags' or 'tracking' as an answer to this question, RUN! A tag does not guarantee it's the ONLY tag in the chamber! I personally sweep out the chamber completely so no fragments are left to mix with your pet's cremains. I personally load your pet in the chamber myself.
YOUR OPTIONS
Understanding Your Aftercare Options
There is no single right choice. Here is an honest overview of what most families in Florida consider, so you can decide what's right for you.
Private Cremation
Most Common Choice
Your pet is cremated individually. The ashes — called cremains — are returned to you, typically within just a few days. You can keep them at home, scatter them somewhere meaningful, or place them in a memorial urn or keepsake. I would be honored to help you with your decision. I carry urns, keepsakes and other items to help you honor your pet the best way you feel is appropriate.
Home Burial
Burying your pet in your yard is legal in most Florida counties for private residences. It requires digging at least 2 feet deep and is not available to renters. I know I will sound a bit biased here, but consider what happens if you ever move — you'd be leaving your companion behind. Also, in the Florida heat, digging a hole just doesn't appeal to me. That being said, it COULD BE, what my father called, a good 'character building exercise' for your little ones, so, there's that. Personally, I've got all the character I can stand...
Through Your Vet Clinic
Many vet clinics offer cremation as a service — but they don't perform it themselves. They're a middleman, and they markup the prices accordingly. The actual cremation is handled by high-volume third-party facilities, processed in bulk alongside dozens of other pets.
I work differently. Every pet I serve is an individual. I remember each one by name — not as a policy, just because that's how I'm wired. And my prices are comparable to what your vet will charge, if not lower.
Your vet is great at keeping your pet healthy. And for their final care, call someone for whom that is the only thing they do.
Pet Cemetary
Licensed pet cemeteries exist in Florida and offer burial plots and mausoleum services. This is the most expensive option and requires ongoing consideration of the cemetery's permanence and your own future proximity to the location.
FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
How To Tell Your Children Their Pet Has Died
This is one of the hardest conversations a parent faces — often because it may be a child's first encounter with death. HECK! My own parents still haven't told me that Poochie didn't go to frolick on a farm in upstate New York in 1979! I hope he's doing well. ;)
There is no perfect way to do this, but there are approaches that help.
Use clear, honest language
Euphemisms like "went to sleep," "passed on," or "went away" can confuse young children and sometimes create fears around sleep or travel. Child psychologists generally recommend honest, age-appropriate language: "Buddy died. That means his body stopped working and he won't be coming back. It's okay to be very sad."
Let them ask questions and sit with the body if they want to
Children often want to see their pet and say goodbye. Allowing this — if you're comfortable — can help them process the reality of the loss rather than feeling confused about where their pet went. Follow their lead.
Involve them in the goodbye, if possible
Letting a child place a drawing, a toy, or a flower with their pet before pickup gives them agency in an experience where everything feels out of control. Many families find this becomes a meaningful memory rather than only a painful one.
Expect grief in waves
Children's grief does not look like adult grief. They may seem fine one moment and devastated the next. They may ask hard questions repeatedly. They may want to talk about it constantly — or not at all. All of this is normal. Create space without forcing conversation.
WHY AFFORDABLE PET CREMATION OF FLORIDA?
What Makes APC Different
100% Private Cremation — Guaranteed
I do not perform partitioned cremations. Your pet is cremated alone, and the ashes returned are only theirs. We will tell you that directly and stand behind it.
If you're not interested in getting your pet's ashes back, or if cost is an issue, we CAN do a communal cremation at significantly lower cost. I also offer payment plans with Affirm, Klarna and CareCredit. Learn more about our payment plans here
24/7 Home Pickup — Usually Within 1 Hour
We come to your home any time of day or night. You do not need to transport your pet or wait until business hours. Just call me at (904) 955-8521 to set up a pick up.
Ashes Returned Within Days — Not Weeks
Some facilities take weeks or even months! And the worst part is, you'll never REALLY know how long it will take when working through your vet because they don't know either. Because this is a major pain point among grieving pet parents, I promise a maximum 7-day turnaround. But honestly, you'll have them back home in about 3 days.
Toys, blankets, notes, small keepsakes — if you want something placed with your pet for cremation, we'll do it. No fees, no questions.
Cremation With Mementos — No Extra Charge
CANA Certified
The Cremation Association of North America certifies cremation facilities that meet rigorous standards of professional and ethical practice. We are proud to carry that certification.
Veteran Owned and Operated
I bring the same commitment to service, integrity and attention to detail to my work for you that I carried in uniform. My promise to you is to provide your pet the most meaningful and dignified cremation possible, no exceptions.
Honest, Affordable Pricing
Our pricing is comparable to what vet clinics charge — but you're working with me directly, not paying a vet clinic's markup to leave your dear pet behind. See our full pricing page for complete transparency.
FROM FAMILIES I'VE SERVED
What People Say
These are real words from real families in Jacksonville, Gainesville, and across North Florida.
I don’t think anyone else could have handled the situation with such care.
Sarah R. - Ocala
Robert was helpful, attentive ,
and straight up like family
Yvette F. - Jacksonville
Robert was caring, pleasant and answered calls and texts immediately.
Irene V. - Gainesville
THE PROCESS
What Happens After You Call
I want you to know exactly what to expect, so there are no surprises during an already difficult time.
1
Everything begins with your call
I answer, any time day or night. I'll confirm your address, and head to you. Typical arrival is within one hour for Jacksonville and Gainesville areas.
2
I come to your home.
We handle your pet gently and with full dignity. You don't need to prepare anything special — I take care of everything.
3
I confirm your preferences
Do you want anything cremated with your pet? What urn or container would you like? We'll go through these briefly and without pressure.
4
Your pet is cremated privately
One at a time. Always. I will never commingle remains. In fact, I am so committed to your peace of mind, that you may witness your pet's placement into the cremation chamber free of charge.
5
You receive a text or email when your pet is ready.
Usually within a few days. You come to us in Starke for pickup, or we can arrange return delivery.