A pet can be an important member of a family and losing a beloved pet can be a difficult experience. Finding a way to properly memorialize your beloved companion can be equally difficult, and sometimes burial isn’t the answer.

For the past five years, Cherished Pet Cremation Services of Southern Minnesota in Hayfield has been helping pet owners cope with the loss of their pets.

The service opened in December 2003. Current owner, Justin Holtan, acquired the business last October after the previous owner moved away.

Cherished Pet Cremation provides a number of cremation services as well as vessels to contain and display the pet. “It’s one last respectful thing (an owner) can do for their loved ones,” Holtan said.

The service can be done with the owners present, or privately. Ashes can be commingled or kept separate based on the owner’s wishes.

Since taking ownership of the operation, Holtan has cremated many family companions, including cats, dogs, parrots, a calf and even a stuffed animal.

“I enjoy helping people cope with their loss,” he said.

The process takes approximately three hours, depending on the size of the animal, and is done in a large “Cremation System.”

The system itself is 22,000 pounds and can reach temperatures of almost 2,000 degrees.

After the cremation is complete, the ashes of a private service are available for the family to spread where they wish, or for display.

On site, Cherished Pet Cremation has urns, decorative boxes or other memorials available to display the remains.

Since opening in 2003, the service has provided cremation services for 1,675 pets. Some pet owners have returned to memorialize more than one companion.

Although pet cremations are not uncommon, they are a more popular option in the winter because of the frozen ground.

The cost of the process varies based on the weight of the pet, the type of service selected, as well as the vessel selected to hold the remains.

Most pets are brought in from area veterinarians at the request of the family; however, Cherished Pet Cremation also has a pick-up service available.

For more information about services available contact Cherished Pet Cremation Services of Southern Minnesota at (507) 477-3311, or visit www.cherishedpetcremation.net.