Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

FINNIGAN — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:11:50 GMT

If our ashes are not collected after a year they go back to the crematorium and they scatter them there.

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

lskm 23 — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:27:12 GMT

We use Surrey Pet crem, they will take the ashes back from us and scatter them at no extra cost. Iwould contact your crem company and see what they say.

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Sal the 1st — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:50:11 GMT

I used to work in a charity practice that at the time did their own cremations at cost if owners requested them. We ended up with I would say more than 2 dozen boxes of ashes going back in some cases over 10 years - we ended up sending a letter out to owners at last known address asking them if they would still like their pets ashes or if they would like us to scatter them at a spot designated by ourselves ( which was an area of set aside agreed by a local farmer which he was happy for pet owners to visit and scatter their own ashes if they wanted - quite a nice little spot actually) we pointed out that there would be no fee for either collection or scattering and set a time scale of 28days for the client to get in touch otherwise we would assume the ashes were to be scattered.

I realise its difficult if the owner still owes money for the crem tho and in this case I think you just have to hang onto them until the bill has been settled

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Kez S — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:05:08 GMT

I sure can I'll ask our accountant for a copy, he deals with all the reminders etc.. I'll PM it to you ASAP.

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

BengalcatRVN — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:18:34 GMT

can you PM me a copy? want to make sure I word a friendly reminder right!

Most clients now are collecting the ashes as soon as we get them back now, our youngest for collection as been waiting 1yr 1 month and 8 days.
I feel sad for the ashes, all they do is gather dust. We advise our clients that they can be individually done, but scattered in the memorial garden at CPC, had a few like that as one said she didn't want the ashes, but couldn't bear the thought of having the animal communally cremated.

It's just not possible to hold on indefinatly to boxes and boxes of ashes, like a lot of the paperwork takes up space, and after the relevent time (8yrs) it is disposed of. I might speak to my crem company and see if their suggestions for help.

Thanks for the responses so far

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Kez S — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:24:08 GMT

We had the same problem, we were overridden with uncollected ashes from years ago, so we contated the pet crem to see what they suggested. They adviced us to send a friendly reminder and if the client no longer requested the return of their ashes they could be returned to the pet crem to be scattered on their memorial garden.

We have now devised a 'friendly reminder' that gets sent out to the client if ashes aren't collected after 12 months.

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Steph Phillips — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:00:35 GMT

I was wondering the exact same thing on monday!! We have only one urn waiting to be collected.. been on hte shelf for over a year! the client has since changed her number. We have wrote to her a few times (probably 3 or 4) over the year simply saying "Just a friendly reminder ...." but nothing!! We were even thinking of going out of our way to drop them at the clients house?? all the bill is paid.. maybe she can't bring herself to collect them!

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:15:33 GMT

Does the literature from your pet crem have any protocol on this? Might be worth giving them a ring and see if they have any suggestions?

K x

Re: Ashes that are not collected, what to do?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:17:16 GMT

Every practice I have worked for has held onto them indefinately - granted this hasn't been up to 5 yrs!

On one occasion after managing to contact a client (We had had the ashes over 12mths), she broke down in tears, saying she was just waiting until she was strong enough to collect them - she knew they were there, and her bill was all paid... she just couldn't bring herself to collect them.

I would feel very strongly against scattering or disposing of any uncollected ashes.

I'd pass the decision to a boss if they are really causing that much of a storage issue. Otherwise I'd just hang on to them.... indefinitely..