Pet Cremation FAQ for Wilmington, NC Families

First, take whatever time you need to be with your pet and say goodbye. There is no rush, and there is no wrong way to grieve.

When you are ready, call us at (910) 612-9334 and we will gently walk you through every next step. If a little time passes before your pet is in our care, that is okay, but resting them somewhere cool is best. Timing does start to matter, and when we arrive we will take care of the rest with the same gentleness we would give our own.

Loss rarely waits for business hours, and we understand that. You can reach us at (910) 612-9334, and if it is the middle of the night, keeping your pet in a cool spot until morning is completely okay. If the wait is looking to be over 6 hours and you have to use ice packs to keep the body cool, this is fine and is best for your companion until we can assist. Once in contact, we will make arrangements with you to bring them into our care as soon as we are able.

Many pets pass at a clinic, and we coordinate directly with your veterinarian if it is a partner vet practice. If it is not, just tell them you would like to use Perkins Goodbye Hugs so you are not left managing a handoff during a hard moment.

We work with veterinary clinics and home hospice services across the Wilmington area. Simply let your vet know you would like Perkins Goodbye Hugs to care for your pet, or call us and we will reach out to them for you.

Yes. When you reach out with an immediate need, we move as quickly and as gently as we can to bring your pet into our care. Call (910) 612-9334 and let us know what you need, and we will tell you exactly what happens next and when.

Both options are available, whichever feels right for you. We offer a pick up and return service that brings your pet into our care and returns them to you afterward, and you are also welcome to bring your pet to us directly. When you call, we will help you decide what works best for your family.

We serve Wilmington and the wider Cape Fear region, including Hampstead, Carolina Beach, Oak Island, Brunswick County, Southport, Leland, Topsail, Surf City and the surrounding communities. If you are nearby and unsure whether we reach you, just give us a call and we will let you know.

Pick up and return is offered as part of our service, and any cost depends on your location and the options you choose. We will always give you a clear quote up front, with no surprises. Request a quote or call (910) 612-9334 and we will walk through it with you.

We aim to arrange pick up as promptly as we can after you reach out. When you call, we will give you a clear sense of timing for your situation and location so you know exactly what to expect.

With a private cremation, your pet is cared for individually, and the ashes returned to you are only your pet's. This is the right choice for families who want to keep their pet's ashes in an urn, keepsake or memorial at home.

In a communal cremation, pets are cared for together and the ashes are not returned to individual families. Many families choose this option when they would prefer not to keep ashes at home. This is also an economical option for families. We spread the remains in a proper burial on a beautiful day at sea in remembrance off the coast of Wrightsville Beach.

This matters deeply, and we treat it that way. With a private cremation, your pet stays individually identified and tracked from the moment they enter our care through to the moment their ashes are returned to you, so the ashes you receive are only ever your pet's.

Some families ask this, and unfortunately our insurance will not let non-employees in our industrial space while our heavy equipment is in operation.

We return your pet's ashes to you with care and without unnecessary delay, usually the next business day. When you make arrangements, we will give you a clear timeframe so you know exactly when your pet will be home with you again.

Many families like to send their pet off with something meaningful, such as a favorite toy, a blanket or a handwritten note. There are some practical limits on what can safely be included, so just let us know what you have in mind and we will help you honor your pet in the right way.

Yes. We care for pets of every size, from the smallest companions to large breed dogs and bigger animals. If you have a larger animal and are not sure whether we can help, call (910) 612-9334 and we will let you know exactly what we can do.

Our burials at sea are our communal cremation option and it is a proper burial on a beautiful day off the coast we call home. It is a really peaceful way to spread your pet's cremains off the coast along the natural beauty of the Cape Fear coastline, and a meaningful choice for families who do not desire to recieve the cremains back.

No, unfortunately, we do not allow people to attend the trip offshore. The buiral takes place on a private vessel and we cannot allow people who are not a part of the Perkins team to be on the vessel. Please call us with questions on this if you have any more.

We want this to bring you comfort, so call us and we will explain how and when the sea burial takes place.

We offer a range of ways to hold your pet close, from urns to ink prints to memorial jewelry and keychains. You can see the full collection on our Memorial Keepsakes page, and we are always glad to help you choose something that feels right.

Yes. We do clay paw prints as a lasting way to keep a piece of your pet with you. You can add this to your arrangements, and it comes with the Private Cremation package.

We do. Our memorial jewelry and keychains let you carry a small, personal reminder of your pet wherever you go. You can browse the options on the Memorial Keepsakes page.

We know a collar can hold so many memories. Let us know that you would like your pet's collar kept aside if it happens to get left on them, and we will be sure to return it to you.

Cost depends on your pet's size and the options you choose, such as private or communal cremation, pickup and return, and any keepsakes. Rather than a one-size price, we give you a clear, no-obligation quote built around your pet and your wishes. Request a quote or call (910) 612-9334.

No. We believe a hard moment should never come with surprises. The quote we give you is clear and complete, so you always know what to expect.

We keep payment simple and stress-free, and we will walk you through it when you make arrangements. If you have questions about how payment works, just call (910) 612-9334 and we will explain everything clearly.

It only takes a moment. Request a quote through our short form, or call us at (910) 612-9334. Tell us about your pet and what you have in mind, and we will send a clear quote with no obligation.

We keep this part simple and will go over payment with you when you make arrangements. If you would like to know your options ahead of time, just call (910) 612-9334 and we will be glad to walk through them.

We are a locally owned and operated team who treats every pet as if they were our own, with the warmth, honesty and personal attention that families here deserve. When you call, you reach people who care, not a call center from a service that is owned out of state.

Yes. We hold ourselves to professional standards of care and handling, and we are glad to answer any questions about our credentials. Please call (910) 612-9334 and we will be happy to tell you more.

We are. Perkins Goodbye Hugs is locally owned and operated, caring for Wilmington families and their pets with the kind of respect and warmth that only comes from being part of the same community.

Yes. We partner with veterinary clinics and home hospice services across the Wilmington area, so if your vet is already involved, the handoff is smooth and you have one less thing to worry about.

Yes, but only a few days in advance. We have seen in too many instances that miracles do exist and companions go on to live for several more months after a call. But either way, you can call (910) 612-9334 whenever you have questions or know the time has come, and we will help you put a plan in place or answer any questions so everything is handled smoothly when the time comes.

Grief after losing a pet is real, and you are not alone in it. We share writing and resources on coping with the loss of a pet, helping children and seniors through grief, and knowing when it is time, on our Helpful Articles Page. If you would like someone to talk to about next steps for cremation, we are always here at (910) 612-9334.

We are based in the Wilmington, NC area and proudly serve families across the Cape Fear region, including Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Rocky Point, Oak Island, Brunswick County, Leland, Hampstead, Southport, Topsail and Surf City. Wherever you are nearby, we can help, whether you bring your pet to us or we come to you. Call (910) 612-9334 or visit our Contact page for directions.

This is a personal choice, and both can be loving ways to say goodbye. Cremation lets you keep your pet close in an urn or keepsake, or choose a remembrance like sea scattering, and it travels with you if you ever move. Home burial keeps your pet on your own land but comes with North Carolina rules and is harder to revisit if you relocate. We are happy to talk through what feels right for your family. Call (910) 612-9334 any time.

In most cases, yes. North Carolina law generally allows you to bury a pet on your own property, at least three feet deep, within about 24 hours, and not within 300 feet of a stream or other public body of water. Some cities, counties and homeowner associations add their own rules, so it is worth checking locally first. If you would rather keep your pet close in another way, cremation is always an option and we are glad to help.