Having grown up on a farm near Queensland, I know that losing a beloved horse or farm animal companion can be extremely difficult, both emotionally and practically. While it can be hard to think about what pet-after-death options you have for larger animals, only a select number of businesses offer horse cremation and livestock cremation in Australia.
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When it comes time to say goodbye to our dear horses or farm animal companions, cremation is a respectful and environmentally friendly process that allows farm owners to pay homage to their deceased animals with dignity and care.
Unfortunately, horses and other livestock are known to suddenly fall victim to illness or ailments so knowing what your options are ahead of time is important for ensuring a smooth and stress-free process during these difficult times, allowing you to grieve and focus on your loved ones and the fond memories you had with your special animal.
In today’s guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about horse cremation and livestock cremation in Australia, the processes involved, what you need to do and what services are available to you, and of course, who you can contact in each state to assist.
What is Horse and Livestock Cremation?
This type of cremation is specialised and requires the use of specifically designed cremators to accommodate larger animals. It is usually designated for animals over 100kg up to about 1,500kg.
These cremators are purpose-built for large animals, able to accommodate pets the size of Shetland ponies to a Clydesdale and everything in between. Common farm animals that can be cremated include sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, pigs, and more.
While most people choose private cremation for their deceased horses and livestock, some businesses also offer communal cremation at reduced rates, giving you options for every budget.
Either way, these cremations are handled respectfully and with the highest quality of care, with most reputable businesses offering additional services like tracking chips, a certificate of cremation, and some grief literature to give you the utmost peace of mind that only your dear animal was cremated and returned to you the way you wanted.
As many of you will know, unfortunately not every horse owner has the luxury of being able to keep their horse on the same property they live and are often not able to lay them to rest on the property they are homed. This is where horse cremation and livestock cremation can really help!
Environmental Pros and Cons of Horse and Livestock Cremation
Pros
Cremation avoids any environmental and health-related risks of backyard animal burials
It usually spares owners the risk of having the deal with the remains of their horses and livestock
Less carbon dioxide is released during cremation versus traditional burials
Cremation is an energy-efficient process with modern machinery designed to reduce energy consumption and toxic emissions
Ashes will take up far less space in the environment than a deceased body would
Cremation is hygienic and odour-free
Ashes release far fewer harmful chemicals into the soil than burial does
Cons
Cremation will still lead to some harmful gasses being released into the atmosphere, regardless of the machinery used
Older cremators can take far longer to fully cremate a large animal, leading to increased energy consumption and more air pollution overall
Horse Cremation and Livestock Cremation: Individual vs Communal Cremation
As I mentioned, you can normally choose to have your horse or farm animal companion individually cremated or communally cremated.
Individual Cremations
Individual cremation means that only your horse's body will enter the cremation chamber and their ashes will be kept separate. This is a great option for special companions, but it will usually incur a higher cost.
Communal Cremations
Communal cremation means your horse or animal companion will be cremated with other animals in a communal cremation chamber. This is a less expensive option and there will often be a choice for the ashes to be spread in a memorial garden.
Horse Cremation and Livestock Cremation: The Process Involved
1. Contact Your Nearest Cremation Service Provider
Once your horse or farm animal companion has passed, it’s best to contact your nearest cremation service provider right away to arrange collection of the remains, or in some cases, you may have to transport the remains yourself to a vet or assignment centre.
Most reputable pet cremation centres should offer collection within a certain radius.
2. Your Companion Will be Cremated
Once at the cremator, your companion will be scheduled for cremation, either individually or communally as specified by you. The provider should keep you updated regularly and answer any questions you may have.
3. The Ashes Will be Collected
Once the cremation process is complete, the ashes will be carefully collected and placed into a storage bag or box. Most service providers will have options to upgrade to more personalised keepsakes and urns so be sure to chat to them to see what would work best for you and your beloved deceased animal.
4. The Ashes Will be Returned to You
Once you have decided on the final resting ornament for your ashes, they can be returned to you or collected by you. They will usually come with a certificate of cremation and perhaps some grief literature as well.
5. You Can Plan Your Memorial Service
Once the ashes are safely back in your possession, you can start planning the preferred memorial service for your beloved horse or farm animal companion. This could include a small ceremony in the yard or a place that has a special meaning to you and your companion.
6. Build the Final Resting Place or Scatter the Ashes
Once the memorial is complete, you can choose where you would like to keep the ashes. This could be a shrine that you’ve made in your home, or you could choose to scatter the ashes at a special location or scatter them in water near your property if your local laws permit.
How Long Does Horse and Livestock Cremation Take?
This can vary depending on who you use, what machinery they have, and how often their cremations take place per week.
Some providers will offer premium cremations that aim to have your beloved pet's remains back with you as soon as possible. This could mean same-day cremation that ensures you are never far apart and can be reunited with your beloved companion with priority.
Standard cremations take about 3 to 5 business days after your pet has arrived at the facility.
The cremation process of larger animals itself typically takes about an hour to two hours at most.
Do You Get Your Pets Ashes Back After Cremation?
When it comes to horse cremation and livestock cremation, ashes are almost always considered once the process is complete.
If you choose to have your companion cremated individually, as most do, you will always have the option to have the ashes returned to you in some form of keepsake.
If you choose communal cremation, the ashes are usually collected and then spread in a nearby memorial garden and not returned to you individually.
The Best Horse and Livestock Cremation Service Providers in Australia Per State
Horse Cremation Victoria
Edenhills Horse Cremation
Location: 42 School Lane, Maddingley, VIC, 3340
Contact: (03) 5367 0556
Email: care@edenhills.com.au
Website: edenhills.com.auThis dynamic team of pet lovers began their journey in 1984, establishing a strong reputation in the pet care industry throughout Australia.
They have a dedicated horse crematorium that is custom-designed and built to accommodate horses of all shapes and sizes. You can choose from a large range of memorabilia as well.
Their standard horse cremation service fee includes careful collection and transport of your horse from any location within a 100km radius of Melbourne CBD.
They can travel up to 750km at an additional per km rate.
Sunset Horse Cremations
This team of three absolutely adore horses, having had horses all their lives, they are now proud to offer horse cremations as part of their extensive services.
They pride themselves on compassion for clients and animals alike, specialising in individual equine cremations in Victoria.
They offer collection, transport, and drop-off services upon request, using the utmost care during every stage.
Their crematorium uses sustainable, carbon-neutral natural gas and carbon-neutral electricity
Horse Cremation New South Wales
Patch and Purr Horse and Livestock Cremation
Location: 3 locations in NSW. Hawkesbury, Illawarra, Morisset
Contact: 1300 112 711
Email: info@patchandpurr.com.au
Website: patchandpurr.com.au
Patch & Purr have established themselves as market leaders in pet cremation, offering services for every step of the way after losing a dear pet.
They have a dedicated equine crematorium for large horses and animals over 100kg.
Their horse cremation services include guaranteed private cremation, their unique Pet Tracking system, collection and return of remains within 7-10 working days, a certificate of cremation, and grief literature.
Travel charges will apply based on your location and distance from their vet network so be sure to chat to one of their professionals to assist with transportation quotes.
Harbourside Pet and Equine Cremations
Location: 104 Faviell Drive, Bonville, NSW, 2450
Contact: 0493 814 474
Website: harboursidepetcremations.com.au
Founded by a passionate husband and wife team, Alby and Rachael Koster, Harbourside Pet & Equine Cremations has been the product of 30 years of experience within the funeral services industry.
Today, the company offers compassionate and transparent pet cremation services, including a state-of-the-art equine crematorium.
They offer a full scope of horse cremation services including collection and delivery within NSW, support and personalisation services, and much more.
Transport fees will vary depending on your location and needs, but the team is ready to assist you from start to finish.
Horse Cremation Queensland
Pets R.I.P Equine Cremations
Location: 3 locations in QLD. Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane
Toowoomba Office:
- Address: 12 Rocla Court, Glenvale, Toowoomba, QLD 4350
- Phone: 07 4633 0290
Ipswich Office:
- Address: 63 Briggs Road, Raceview, Ipswich, QLD 4305
- Phone: 07 3288 7115
Emergency Contact: 1300 233 007 Website: petsrip.com.au
Pets R.I.P are your trusted pet crematorium that services Southeast Queensland.
Their dedicated and caring staff are there to help through every step when you face the loss of your beloved pet.
As part of their services, they now offer large animal cremation for horses and farm animal companions.
They offer a wide range of beautiful urns and keepsakes, from jewellery to gold and solid timber memorial boxes, you’re sure to find the perfect keepsake for remembering your special companion.
Horse Cremation South Australia
Edenhills Horse Cremation
Location: 12 Kitawah Street, Lonsdale, SA, 5160
Contact: (08) 8186 6362
Email: support@edenhills.com.au
Website: edenhills.com.au
This dynamic team of pet lovers began their journey in 1984, establishing a strong reputation in the pet care industry throughout Australia.
They have a dedicated horse crematorium in Adelaide that is custom-designed and built to accommodate horses of all shapes and sizes. You can choose from a large range of memorabilia as well.
Their standard horse cremation service fee includes careful collection and transport of your horse from any location within a 100km radius of Adelaide CBD.
They can travel up to 750km at an additional per km rate.
Animal Welfare League (AWL) Equine Cremations
Location: 1-19 Cormack Road, Wingfield, SA, 5013
Contact: (08) 8348 1300
Email: support@awl.org.au
Website: awl.org.au
The AWL has long been a front-runner for all things pets in Australia, now having one of the largest networks of vets, pet boarding, pet cremations, and much more.
Their large animal crematorium is suitable for entire horses up to 1,500kg, offering both private and communal cremations.
Their facilities are unfortunately unable to accommodate equine collections, but they do offer a gorgeous range of horse keepsakes and urns.
Horse Cremation Western Australia
Lawnswood Horse Cremation
Location: 1 Nexus Way, Bayswater, WA, 6053
Contact: (08) 9248 6464
Email: care@lawnswood.com.au
Website: lawnswood.com.au
Lawnswood is a close affiliate of Edenhills, based in Western Australia. They offer the same exceptional service you can expect from this market-leading group.
They have a dedicated horse crematorium in Perth that is custom-designed and built to accommodate horses of all shapes and sizes. You can choose from a large range of memorabilia as well.
Their standard horse cremation service fee includes careful collection and transport of your horse from any location within a 100km radius of Perth CBD.
They can travel up to 750km at an additional per km rate.
Passing Paws Equine Cremations
Location: 2/26 Greenwich Parade, Neerabup, WA, 6031
Contact: (08) 9932 0309
Email: family@passingpaws.com.au
Website: passingpaws.com.au
Passing Paws Pet Cremations is a family-owned and operated business that specialises in supporting Western Australia with professional, caring, and compassionate pet after-death services at affordable prices.
Having won many awards for recognition of their excellent service and gold standard of care, this crematorium is also one of the only to offer both premium and standard cremations for departed horses.
Apart from their extensive cremation services, they also offer an impressive range of unique equine memorabilia so you can remember and cherish your horse for years to come!
Say Goodbye Respectfully with Horse Cremation and Livestock Cremation Australia
So, there is everything you need to know about horse cremation and livestock cremation in Australia, as well as who to contact in each state for the best service.
I hope this article has given you some peace of mind that you are prepared for whatever may happen and that you know exactly how you want to remember your special animal companion.
While horse cremation and livestock cremation are somewhat limited in Australia, there are still many excellent service providers that will help you navigate these difficult times with respect and dignity so you can focus on what really matters – remembering your beloved animal friend!