When a Pet Dies at Home: Our Compassionate Aftercare Service
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9
By: Karalyn McGee, Office Manager
September 27, 2025
The death of a beloved pet, even when expected, is a deeply traumatic experience. If your companion passes away peacefully at home, the sudden reality of their physical body remaining can be overwhelming. During this time of profound sadness, you deserve immediate support and a clear, dignified path forward.
If your pet has died naturally at your home, you do not have to manage the transport of their body alone. McGee Veterinary Service offers a dedicated service to collect your pet and handle all arrangements for their cremation and the return of their remains. Please note: our same-day appointment fee does NOT apply to deceased pet pickup.
Our Home Collection Process
Our goal is to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible for you:
Call or Text Us Immediately: Contact us at 623-396-9185. Tell us your pet has passed, and you need a respectful body removal service.
Gentle Collection: A member of our caring team will arrive at your home as quickly as possible. We will respectfully take your pet into our care, giving you a final moment to say goodbye.
Complete Aftercare: We will transport your pet to the crematorium and manage the entire aftercare process, including cremation and the creation of your personalized keepsakes.
Our Cremation Options
Individual or Private Cremation: For these services, your pet's ashes will be returned to you in an urn of your choice, along with a terracotta clay paw print. You may pick up your pet's ashes at no extra charge from our office or from a specialized grief support center. Ash return via certified mail is available for an additional charge.
Communal Cremation: For communal cremation, your pet is cremated alongside other pets. Their ashes are then respectfully scattered on private land. You will still receive a lasting memorial in the form of a terracotta clay paw print.
Why Choose McGee Veterinary Service for Aftercare?
Even after a natural passing, our commitment to peaceful, dignified care continues.
Compassion and Expertise: We maintain the same high standard of care for body collection as we do for our at-home euthanasia service. We treat every pet with the utmost respect.
Transparent Pricing: Our fees for collection and aftercare are all-inclusive and clearly outlined upfront, so you never have to worry about hidden costs during a difficult moment.
Keepsakes: All cremation services include a complimentary terracotta clay paw print. Individual and private cremation include multiple urn options that ensure you receive a tangible, beautiful memorial to honor your companion's life.
During this difficult time, let our specialized service and compassionate team handle the details with the dignity that you and your beloved companion deserve.
Contact McGee Veterinary Service at 623-396-9185 for assistance if your pet has died at home. McGee Veterinary Service provides deceased pet pick-up to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, Anthem, Peoria, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Sun City, and Sun City West.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karalyn McGee is the Office Manager at McGee Veterinary Service. With a bachelor’s degree in biology, she brings a strong scientific foundation to the administrative side of the clinic. When she isn't wrangling the clinic's logistics, Karalyn is usually found with her nose in a good book, enjoying camping trips, or chasing after a toddler.