Pet Memorial Services

Wayside Waifs has been helping families for generations with compassionate aftercare for cherished family pets. Your friends at Wayside Waifs truly understand the pain of losing a family pet. Our goal is to help you provide a proper memorial that honors the joy your pet brought to you and your family.

What Makes Wayside Waifs Different

Unlike most pet cemeteries, all revenue from Wayside Waifs’ Pet Memorial Services goes to help the shelter provide loving care for its current residents until permanent homes can be found. We hope you will find comfort in knowing that your pet, even in death, is helping another animal.

Wayside Waifs Pet Memorial Park is located adjacent to the Wayside Waifs shelter. Our pet burial grounds include the Serenity Garden, Peaceful Meadow, and the Top of the World Cemetery. Please contact our Pet Memorial Services to speak to one of our caring staff members at 816-761-8151, Ext. 4406 or e-mail to cemetery@waysidewaifs.org to discuss the different options available to you.

If you would like to honor your pet with a memorial to help us care for other animals in our shelter please complete our online donation form. It is a wonderful way to pay tribute to your pet or to a friend’s pet.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday 8A-5P

Saturday 8A-12P

Sunday Closed

Our Services Include

 Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for further information. 

 Individual Cremation
This is our most popular choice. Your pet is cremated separately and ashes are placed in a beautiful Rainbow Bridge velvet pouch (starting at $135), or you may purchase an urn from our large selection to help keep the memory of your beloved pet alive. A certificate of cremation is issued with every individual cremation. Following an individual cremation, you may choose to have your pet’s remains returned to you, or have your pet buried in our Pet Memorial Park. You may also elect to hold a customized graveside service for family and friends.

Communal Cremation
Your pet is cremated with other pets and ashes are interred in a communal grave in our pet memorial park (price $60).

Burials
Pet owners choosing this option are escorted through the grounds to help select a burial location. Appropriate arrangements for the date and time of the burial are made with the help of our compassionate and professional staff. Services are customized to your individual needs. You are encouraged to make the service a fitting closure for you, your family and your beloved pet. Graveside services are available for those who wish to attend the burial. Viewing is also available for those who wish a last viewing prior to burial. Additional burial lots may be purchased to ensure your beloved pets will be together forever.

Our traditional burial package includes the space, interment (opening and closing of the grave), casket, granite marker and one-time maintenance fee.  For more information on burial packages and pricing, click here.  

 Cremation Burials
Another very popular option is Cremation Burial. Your pet is individually cremated and buried in the Cedar Shadows portion of our pet cemetery. Graveside services may be arranged for those who wish to attend. For more information and pricing please click here.
 

Pre-Need Service
Wayside Waifs encourages pet owners, if at all possible, to visit the cemetery in advance so they can be certain that their pet will receive the kind of final tribute they wish. Please contact our Pet Memorial Service personal for further details regarding this service. 

Pickup Services
Wayside Waifs offers a no charge pick up service at local veterinary clinics. If this service is required, you may call our cemetery office to schedule a pickup. We also offer local residential pickup for $85 within 25 miles from our facility. Pickup services are also available for greater distances from our facility. Please contact our office for additional information regarding this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services does Wayside offer?

2. Why bury at a pet cemetery? Why not bury in your backyard?

3. How do you maintain the cemetery?

4. How do I know that I am getting my pets cremated remains back?

5. Am I permitted to observe the cremation or burial?

6. Do I get to choose the gravesite at the cemetery?

7. How will my pet’s cremated remains be returned to me?

8. What can I do if my pet passes away at home?

9. What can I do if my pet passes away after office hours or in the evening?

10. When can I visit my pet’s gravesite?

11. How soon will my pet’s ashes be returned?

12. What payment methods do you accept for services? 

 
What services does Wayside offer?

Wayside Waifs provides compassion and comfort to those who have lost a pet.  Some may not understand the profound sense of loss that one feels when their pet dies. We do. The care and sensitivity exhibited by our staff is an integral part of our service.  From the time you contact Wayside, we spare no detail to lessen the burden of grief.  At Wayside, we help keep the memory of your pet alive.  Wayside offers:

 Burial Services
 Cremation Services
 Headstones, urns, caskets and cremation jewelry

Why bury at a pet cemetery? Why not bury in your backyard?

Local laws may prohibit home burial in your area.  Burial in a cemetery alleviates the concern of leaving your pet behind if you move.  For those who wish to bury their pet on property other than Wayside Waifs’ cemeteries, we offer a variety of pet caskets that can be purchased from us.

How do you maintain the cemetery?

Our maintenance staff provide services that include but are not limited to mowing grass, leaf and snow removal, tree and path maintenance and headstone resetting.

How do I know that I am getting my pets cremated remains back?

Individual pets are placed in the individual cremation camber during cremation process to ensure that all of your pets cremated remains are returned to you and only your pets cremated remains are returned to you.

In addition, you can schedule an appointment to be present and observe the cremation.

Am I permitted to observe the cremation or burial?

Yes.  All services can be tailored to meet your requirements.  Additional fees may apply.  Please call our office at 816-986-4406 for details.

Do I get to choose the gravesite at the cemetery?

You may select a burial plot from the open sections of our cemetery.

How will my pet’s cremated remains be returned to me?

You can choose to have your pet’s ashes interred in an urn from our selection.  If you do not select an urn or choose to scatter the ashes, your pet’s cremated remains will be returned to you in a velvet pouch with a copy of the Rainbow Bridge poem. 

What can I do if my pet passes away at home?

If it is during office hours, you can call Wayside Waifs at 816-986-4406 and we will make arrangements with you to pick up your pet from your home or veterinary office for a nominal fee.  You may also bring your pet to our office during business hours and we can discuss options at that time.

What can I do if my pet passes away after office hours or in the evening?

You can still call 816-986-4406 to page a member of our staff.

When can I visit my pet’s gravesite?

You can visit our cemetery during daylight hours, seven days a week, including holidays.

How soon will my pet’s ashes be returned?

Most remains are returned promptly to your veterinary clinic or sooner if brought directly to the cemetery.  Extra time is sometimes needed to order special urns or to perform special engraving.

What payment methods do you accept for services?

Wayside Waifs accepts MasterCard, Visa and American Express.  We offer CareCredit financing up to 12 months same as cash for qualifying applicants.
We also take cash and local checks.