New Zealand · costs
Pet cremation costs in New Zealand
What you pay depends on your pet's size, the service you choose and a few extras. Only a small number of listed providers publish official prices, so rather than a single national figure, here is what drives the cost, the real published examples we found, and how to get an accurate quote.
What affects the price
The things that move the cost
Cost varies a lot from pet to pet. These are the factors that make the biggest difference.
Your pet's size and weight
The biggest single driver. Most providers price by weight band, so a cat costs far less than a large dog, and a horse is different again.
Private or communal
Private (individual) cremation with ashes returned costs more than communal (shared) cremation, where ashes are not returned.
Cremation or aquamation
Flame cremation and aquamation (water cremation) are priced separately by each provider; neither is automatically cheaper.
Collection or drop-off
Home or vet collection may add a fee, often by distance. Dropping your pet off yourself can cost less.
After-hours service
Out-of-hours collection or urgent service can carry an extra charge with some providers.
Urn and keepsakes
A standard scatter box may be included, while upgraded urns, paw prints and jewellery are usually extra.
Ashes returned and delivery
Returning ashes is part of a private service; some providers deliver, others ask you to collect, and delivery may cost more.
Horse and large-animal transport
For a horse, transport distance, access and equipment matter, and collection or vet attendance is usually charged on top.
Verified published prices
Real examples from listed providers
Only 4 of the 29 providers Final Tail lists publish official prices on their own sites, and they price different services — aquamation, burial, a horse cremation and memorial products. These are their real figures, kept separate by service and not blended into a national average, each captured with a source link and the date we checked them.
Pet Aquamation (Tauranga)
Bay of Plenty
Aquamation (water cremation)
GST-inclusive| Weight band | Cardboard scatterbox (ashes returned) | Wooden casket (ashes returned, engraved) | Disposal (ashes NOT returned) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exotics < 500g | $75 | $130 | $60 |
| < 5kg | $200 | $300 | $100 |
| 5-10kg | $215 | $335 | $115 |
| 11-25kg | $280 | $380 | $160 |
| 26-40kg | $320 | $450 | $195 |
| 41-60kg | $375 | $495 | $260 |
- Individual aquamation; >60kg +$3/kg
- Individual aquamation, ashes scattered in nature; >60kg +$3/kg
Devoted
Wellington
Memorial products
GST not stated- Memorial product - wooden urnWooden Urn from $145 (memorial product; cremation priced separately)from $145
- Memorial product - paw printPaw Print $75 (memorial product)$75
- Memorial product - Reterniti stonesReterniti Stones from $329 (memorial product)from $329
Rainbow Fields Pet Cemetery
Northland
Burial and ashes interment
GST not stated- Pet grave (burial)'Graves from $75' (starting price)from $75
- Ash burial / dispersalBury/spread ashes of a cremated pet$30
Horse cremation
Plus GST- Standard horse cremation$950 + GST at Rangiriri; collection & vet attendance additional; diesel surcharge may apply$950 + GST
A small, transparent sample
Getting an accurate price
How to get a quote you can rely on
Because most providers price for your specific pet, a direct quote is the most reliable figure.
Quote vs estimate
Under New Zealand consumer guidance, a quote is a fixed offer the provider cannot exceed once you accept it, unless you agree to a change. An estimate is a best guess, so the final price can differ. Ask which one you are being given.
What to ask for
- The GST-inclusive total for your pet's weight and the service you want.
- Whether collection, an urn and ashes return are included or extra.
- Any after-hours, distance or delivery fees.
- For a horse, transport, access and vet attendance costs.
Common questions
Cost questions, answered
What families most often ask about price.
How much does pet cremation cost in New Zealand?
It depends on your pet's size, whether you choose private or communal cremation or aquamation, and any collection, urn or delivery. Only a small number of listed New Zealand providers publish official pricing, so rather than a single national figure, this page shows their real published examples and explains what to ask for a quote.
Is GST included in these prices?
New Zealand GST is 15%. Prices advertised to consumers usually include GST unless stated otherwise, but conventions differ — one horse example here is quoted as “+ GST”. Always confirm whether a figure includes GST before you decide.
Why don't you show an average price?
Only four of the listed New Zealand providers publish official prices, and they price different services in different ways — weight-banded aquamation, per-grave burial, a horse cremation, memorial products. Averaging four unlike figures would invent a national statistic that isn't real, so we show the verified examples instead.
How do I get an accurate price?
Ask a provider for a quote for your specific pet and the service you want. Under New Zealand consumer guidance, a quote is a fixed offer the provider cannot exceed once you accept it, while an estimate is a best guess. Ask for the GST-inclusive total and what is and isn't included.
Sources & review
Prices shown are first-party figures published by each provider on their own website, captured with a source link. They are not a national average, and providers may change prices at any time. GST guidance is from the New Zealand Government; quote-versus-estimate guidance is from Consumer Protection. Facts were last checked on 3 August 2026.
- Pet Aquamation (Tauranga) — pricing — petaquamation.co.nz (checked 3 Aug 2026)
- Rainbow Fields Pet Cemetery — pricing — rainbowfieldspetcemetery.co.nz (checked 3 Aug 2026)
- Rural Guardian — horse cremation pricing — ruralguardian.org.nz (checked 3 Aug 2026)
- Devoted — memorial-product pricing — devoted.co.nz (checked 3 Aug 2026)
- GST rate (15%) — New Zealand Government / Inland Revenue (updated 1 Apr 2025)
- Quotes and estimates — Consumer Protection (MBIE)
Keep planning
Where to go next
Private vs communal cremation
The one choice that decides whether you receive your pet's own ashes back.
Read morePet aquamation
Water cremation explained, and the New Zealand providers that confirm it.
Read moreHorse and large-animal aftercare
Planning collection, transport and cremation or burial for a horse.
Read moreChoosing a provider
The questions to ask before you book, and how to read the answers.
Read moreNew Zealand questions and answers
Direct answers to the questions families ask, grouped and linked to the guides.
Read moreState of Pet Aftercare 2026
What Final Tail's verified New Zealand directory shows about aftercare here.
Read moreStart your search
Compare providers and ask for a quote
Browse pet cremation and aftercare providers across New Zealand, then ask directly for a full, GST-inclusive price for your pet.
Final Tail is an independent directory of pet cremation and aftercare providers across New Zealand. We collect provider details from public listings, provider websites and information shared with us. Services, availability and pricing may change, so please confirm directly with the provider before making arrangements.