What to Do When Your Pet Passes Away at Home
A compassionate guide for Chicagoland families experiencing pet loss.
The loss of a pet at home is both heartbreaking and overwhelming.
This guide aims to provide supportive, practical tips to help you navigate through this difficult moment.
When you’re ready, here are 5 steps we recommend:
Step 1: Confirm Passing
Carefully monitor for any sign of life by checking for a pulse & respiratory activity.
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How to Check Your Pet’s Pulse
Use your hands to check for a heartbeat with either/both of these methods:
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- Chest: Lay your pet on their right side. Bend the front left leg. Place your palm or your pointer & index fingers where their elbow touches the left side of their chest to find a heartbeat.
- Femoral Artery: Lay your pet on their side. Run two fingers along the inside of their back leg towards the upper part of your pet’s inner thigh. Find a small dip where the artery is close to the surface. Press gently to feel the pulse. [Video Tutorial]
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If You’re At All Unsure, Contact Your Veterinarian Immediately.
Elderly & ailing pets can sometimes exhibit shallow breathing or long periods of immobility and deep sleep as they approach end-of-life.
Step 2: Give Yourself a Moment
Try to take a moment and let yourself breathe, focusing on your emotional well-being before worrying about anything else. You have enough time, don’t worry.
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Pause for Closure.
Sit with your pet and take whatever time you need to say goodbye and begin to process your grief.
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If You Have Other Pets, Give them a Moment as Well.
Other animals in your home may want to visit or sniff your deceased pet to fully understand the situation and start their own grieving process.
Step 3: Care for Your Pet’s Remains
Within a few hours, attend to the biological aspects of your pet’s passing and prepare their remains for aftercare.
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Place a towel or pad under your pet.
Natural postmortem changes may generate fluids so an absorbent or waterproof pad helps keep your pet and home clean and dry.
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Position your pet for a peaceful farewell.
Gently close your pet’s eyes and mouth, tuck their legs into their body, and lay them comfortably on their side.
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Consider clipping a lock of fur or taking a memorial imprint.
Personal keepsakes can offer comfort and closure, and many aftercare providers will be to assist with these services whenever you feel ready.
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Wrap your pet in a clean sheet or blanket.
You may wish to gently place your pet inside a favorite blanket or towel, then position them within a plastic container or box to prepare for transport.
Step 4: Keep Your Pet Cool
Create a clean, cool environment for your pet’s remains to rest until you can make arrangements for aftercare.
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Place your pet in a cold, dark room.
Ideally, move your pet to an area with a cold stone floor, often the garage or basement. For larger pets, repurpose a sheet as a hammock-style sling held by two adults.
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Freezing is not recommended.
For small pets, you may slow natural changes by utilizing the refrigerator or by positioning wrapped, cold packs beneath the body, but not directly on fur.
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Minimize handling.
Once you have found a proper environment for your pet’s remains, limit further movement. If necessary, always move carefully and support the body fully.
Step 5: Make Arrangements for Your Pet’s Aftercare
For your pet’s final journey, select an aftercare plan that will bring you peace and appropriately honor your beloved companion.
Here are the most common options:
1. Private Pet Cremation
Your pet is cremated in a single chamber without any other animals, ensuring dignified handling and the guaranteed return of your pet’s individual cremated remains.
2. Communal Pet Cremation
Your pet is cremated in a group chamber along with other animals. Though cost-effective, you will not receive any of your pet’s cremated remains.
3. Burial at Home
If you own your home, IL State Law allows pet owners to bury pets as long as certain criteria are met, including:
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- Private property only, including the land
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- Pets must weigh under 150 lbs
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- Burial site must be located 200+ feet from any water source or neighboring residence
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- Do not use chemicals or lime to prevent decomposition.
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- Take steps to prevent disturbance by other animals or pests.
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→ Check with your local municipality for any town or county-specific rules, as requirements can vary.
4. Burial at a Pet Cemetery
Laying your pet to rest in a cemetery provides a traditional memorial with reliable upkeep and consistency even if you move homes.
When to Call a Veterinarian or Emergency Clinic:
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If you’re uncertain about your pet’s pulse or breathing, seek a medical examination for signs of life.
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For professional guidance on special circumstances (i.e. physical trauma or contagious illness).
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Request formal documentation of your pet’s passing.
- Bereavement Leave: Most employers will require verification of your pet’s death before approving your pet bereavement leave.
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- Pet Insurance: To satisfy policy requirements, your vet may need to provide a signed medical record or letter confirming the cause and date of death.
Chicagoland Pet Cremation – Cherished Companions by Haben
Our approach to aftercare prioritizes dignity and respect.
- On-Site Pet Crematory
- Private/Individual Cremation Only
- Expedited 24 Hour Cremation
- Pick-Up & Delivery of Remains
- Special Arrangements Available
- Custom Urns, Keepsakes & More
After‑Hours Guidance
Call (847) 673‑3546 anytime.
If we can’t answer immediately, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if my pet passes away at night or on the weekend?
You’re welcome to call for assistance on the weekend or after regular business hours. We can advise on safe care at home, discuss after‑hours options, and schedule the earliest available time for home transfer or arrival at Cherished Companions.
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Do you offer home pickup and transportation to the pet crematory?
Yes. Home transfers are available within 30 miles of Skokie, IL for an additional fee. We proudly offer flexible hours and will arrange transport according to your schedule.
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What is private pet cremation?
Private cremation guarantees that your pet is cremated individually, without any other animals in the cremation chamber. You receive only your pet’s ashes with clear documentation for your records. At Cherished Companions by Haben, we ONLY offer private/individual pet cremation.
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Can I be there for my pet’s cremation?
Yes, witness cremation is available by appointment for an additional fee. We will guide you through what you’ll see and provide a quiet space for you to say goodbye without feeling rushed.
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What documentation do I receive post-cremation?
You will receive a certificate of private cremation that includes your pet’s personal details and signature of the Certified Crematory Operator.
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Which areas do you serve?
We support families throughout the Skokie/Evanston area, Chicago, and the Chicago suburbs (including Niles, Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Des Plaines, Wilmette, Glenview, Golf & more). Our pickup and delivery services are available anywhere within 30 miles of our location at 8053 Niles Center Rd – Skokie, IL 60077.
