Pet Loss Professionals Alliance Creates Cremation Authorization Form, Expands Its Cremation Standards, Definitions

STERLING, VA — The Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA), a group of more than 200 pet loss providers and related businesses, has created a Cremation Authorization Form designed specifically for pet loss providers and has updated its “Definitions and Standards for the Cremation of Companion Animals.”

The Cremation Authorization Form is an adaptation of the ICCFA Model Cremation Authorization Form for human remains. It includes specific fields for breed and owner, options for selecting private, partitioned or communal cremation, and memorialization options such as a fur clippings, clay paw prints or jewelry.

Developed by the PLPA Standards and Ethics Committee, the “Definitions and Standards for the Cremation of Companion Animals” was produced to promote uniformity and standardization in pet cremation. The original document, released in September 2010, defined private cremation, partitioned cremation and communal cremation. The expanded version also defines active and residual commingling and proposes definitions for anatomical pet remains and medical waste.

The definitions and standards document may be downloaded from the PLPA website at www.myplpa.com. The Cremation Authorization Form is available for download only by current PLPA members at www.myplpa.com.

Founded in 2009, the PLPA is dedicated to providing education and opportunities for professional growth for providers of pet-related death care services. It is a committee of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA).

Founded in 1887, the ICCFA is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization profession. Its membership is composed of more than 7,500 cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories, pet loss providers and related businesses worldwide. For more information, visit www.iccfa.com.