Keep your dog's urn safe and secure forever

01/22/2026 01/22/2026

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Hello, dog lovers!

When you spend happy moments with your dog, you often think, "I wish these days could continue forever."

However, both humans and dogs have limited lifespans.

This post may be a bit sad, but it's about funerals, a way to send your dog off with warmth.

Death comes equally to both humans and dogs.

The average lifespan of a dog is said to be 10-13 years, shorter than that of a human, and we, as pet owners, will be the ones to see them pass away. In recent years, dogs have become more commonly considered members of the family, and just like people, dogs are mourned in various ways, including cremation and burial.

At "Pet Cremation - Shinai Memorial"

Pets often have special cremation and memorial services, unlike people.

For example, when it comes to cremation, you don't have to go to a funeral home. In fact, cremation services can come to your home to perform the cremation or funeral, which is becoming the norm for pet cremation these days.

The reason for this difference is that the culture of cremating and funeraling pets has only been around for the past few decades, and there are no laws regarding pet cremation or funerals. Also, the lack of specific religious beliefs surrounding pets has led to the establishment of cremation methods that differ from those for humans.

As such, it seems that cremation is becoming more common for pets as well.

So, today I'd like to focus on the urn, which is essential for cremation.

Memorial Services

Just like with days, there are many different funeral methods for dogs.

Burial in a grave (including graves with the owner and tree burials)
Interment in a columbarium
Scattering of ashes at sea
Personal memorial service at home
Planter burial or home burial

These are quite similar to human remains, aren't they?

Generally, after a dog is cremated, you can either have the pet's ashes returned to you, or have them individually interred at a pet cemetery or interred in a columbarium, or have them memorialized.

Surprisingly, many pet owners worry about what to do with their pet's remains when they receive them back, so it's important to decide in advance how to hold the funeral and mourning.

About Dog Urns

The urns in which your beloved remains are placed also come in different sizes.

The sizes vary between small and large dogs, so it's important to discuss this with the funeral home or find out in advance.

3.5 inches	Small dogs: Chihuahuas, etc.
4 inches	Small to medium dogs: Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, etc.
5 inches	Medium dogs: Shiba Inu, Beagles, Corgis, Shelties, etc.
6 inches	Large dogs: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, etc.
7 inches	Extra-large dogs: St. Bernards, Great Danes, Mastiffs, etc.

As mentioned above, dimensions vary depending on the breed.

However, due to individual differences, it is best to measure the head size.

This is only a guideline, so it may be necessary to measure your dog's head beforehand. Generally, the skull is the largest part of the remains, so in most cases, all the remains will fit within the skull.

For example, if the skull is about 8 cm long, it may be a good idea to choose a size with some leeway: 3 sun (approximately 9 cm in diameter).

How to store cremated remains properly

First, how to store cremated remains in a clean state for a long period of time?

The most important thing is to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the urn.

From that perspective, ossuaries are ideal for long-term storage because they thoroughly control humidity and the environment.

If you are storing your pet's ashes at home,

Do not store in spaces prone to humidity, such as closets or kitchen areas.
Do not store in places where condensation occurs due to large temperature differences, such as near windows or entryways.

The above two points must be kept in mind.

Try to avoid storing your pet's ashes in an environment where mold is likely to grow.

If you absolutely cannot find the space for an urn and must place the ashes in an urn, it's a good idea to take measures to prevent mold from growing on your pet's ashes.

Seal the urn and ashes to prevent air from entering.
Place desiccants nearby.
Dry the urn in the sun regularly.
Prevent moisture by using an urn or bone bag that does not retain moisture.

The above four methods are effective ways to store ashes.

Combining multiple methods will result in more effective preservation than using just one.

Also, if you don't want to close the urn lid, you can place the ashes in a sealed bag. However, this is not recommended as it may damage the ashes or cause them to crumble, but it will prevent mold from growing on the ashes.

In any case, it's best to store them carefully, paying attention to temperature and humidity.

Please treat your beloved dog's ashes with the same care as you did when he was alive.