‘I have cremated a budgie, snakes and spiders’
When a beloved pet dies, the sense of loss can be overwhelming. They have been our constant companions, and by our side through the trials and tribulations of life, so it’s natural that we would want them to be treated with dignity in death.
Based in Tramore, Waterford, Eamon Coady of Resting Pets, is offering an extension of his service to Corkonians, providing collection and individual cremation for their much-loved animals.
“I will go drive down to a house, collect the animal there, I bring it back to the crematorium and cremate it, and I’ll bring the ashes back to the person,” he told the Cork Independent.
“I get so much interest from Cork, there is a big demand here and for the type of service I provide,” he said.
Eamon explained that he was inspired to set up the business when his own dog Mason, a 15 stone Great Dane passed away.
“It was the Saturday of a bank holiday weekend, three years ago. Poor Mason died and I remember saying to the vet, ‘What will I do with him now?’ He rang a guy in Newry and they wanted £2,500 to come down and collect Mason, it would take 12-14 weeks and they couldn’t guarantee that I’d get 100% of Mason back. I thought ‘there has to be a better way to do this’, and here I am.”
Resting Pets has been in business three years, and Eamon explains that he loves his job. “I’m basically a pet undertaker. I’m retired, and it’s a lovely job to have. The business is growing slowly, I do 10 to 12 cremations a week at this stage.”
“I have cremated a single budgie, snakes and spiders, and tomorrow we will be cremating a bull mastiff, he’s 90 kilos. You name it, I’ve cremated it,” he said.
Eamon recognises the grief associated with losing a pet and aims to provide a more compassionate and efficient alternative to traditional services. Often, veterinary clinics take between 6 and 8 weeks to return ashes, prompting pet owners to seek quicker and more personal options.
“For many people the death of the pet is like the death of a family member, and that’s the way it should be treated.
“A dog, cat, whatever it is, they become a huge part of the family,” he added.”
Resting Pets only provide individual cremations, with each pet getting their own slot, and Eamon says he is open to anyone interested in witnessing their operations.
“I’m very open about the process. The pet must be looked after. For example people may want to know if the pet is going to be frozen, but I tell them they won’t be here long enough for that.”
“I will film the the pet going into the crematorium chamber if it puts a person’s mind at ease and reassures them,” he added.
For those considering the service, the cost for a 10 kilo dog (slightly larger than a Jack Russell), which includes the collection, cremation, and delivery of the pet, costs €320.
Pet owners opting for this service receive a wooden casket, featuring a brass plate on top with the date the owner got the pet and passing date. Additionally, they obtain two vials of ashes, along with the last paw print of the dog captured in a piece of pottery clay.