Fish cremation near you, and what changes from place to place
Fish are kept almost everywhere: 11%[1] of Australian households have them, and so do millions of US homes. But prices, burial rules and water cremation access vary a lot by area.
- Local pages for cities, states and countries
- Regional price guides, with sources
- Burial and release rules explained
Start here
Why your location changes the options for a fish
Three things change from one area to the next: which providers will accept a fish, what they charge, and what the local rules say about burial. A city may have several pet crematories within a short drive, while a rural county may have one that collects weekly. Water cremation is common in some regions and unavailable in others.
Climate matters more than people expect. In northern states and much of Canada, the ground can be frozen from December to March, so a garden burial may have to wait. Freezing your fish until spring is a perfectly respectable plan, and it takes the pressure off. Our guide on how to bury a pet fish covers winter burials too.
Use the directory below to open your local page. Each one covers providers that serve your area, regional price guides and the questions to ask. If you can't find your town, send us your location and we'll check for you.
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United States
How fish aftercare differs across US states
Most US fish owners keep freshwater fish, but 2 million[2] households keep saltwater species as well, and reef fish can need a different conversation because of their value and size. Koi ponds are common in warm states like California and Florida, but also thrive in cold ones, where fish overwinter under the ice.
Rules for pet crematories vary too. By one directory's count, only 9 states[3] have laws written specifically for pet crematories, and only 2 states[4] require written documentation for consumers. Elsewhere, asking for a written description of the service you're buying is up to you.
US prices for the smallest pets usually start around $100 for a private cremation, with communal cremation lower. Urban areas tend to cost more. Our fish cremation cost guide explains which line items vary most.
UK and Europe
Fish aftercare in the UK, Ireland and Europe
The UK is a nation of pond keepers. In 2026, UK Pet Food's population survey found 13% / 11%[6] of households kept indoor and pond fish respectively. UK cremation prices run from about GBP 50 to GBP 300+[7], with fish at the bottom of that scale. In Ireland, one pet crematorium's prices start from EUR 150 for pets under 2 kg.
Burial rules are stricter in parts of Europe. Germany, for example, requires at least 50 cm of soil over a buried pet and doesn't allow pet burials in water-protection areas. That's worth knowing if your garden is near a stream or a well. In England, the Environment Agency's burial guidance sets the distances to keep from wells, boreholes and springs.
17.6 million[8]
Beyond the US and Europe
Australia, Canada and Japan: what fish keepers should know
In Australia, where Animal Medicines Australia's pet survey found 11% of households keep fish[1], providers' listed prices for an individual cremation of a pet up to 5 kg come in at AUD 412 median[9], and communal cremation starts lower. Fish sit well under that weight, but most providers charge their smallest-pet price as a minimum.
In Canada, prices vary by province. Ontario and British Columbia both have providers with published small-pet rates, and cold winters mean freezer storage is a common plan. In Japan, where ornamental koi were first bred, pet funeral culture is well established, and Tokyo providers publish prices for pets under 5 kg.
Getting the most from it
How to use a local page to compare providers
- Open your city or county page from the directory and note which providers say they accept fish.
- Check whether they collect from homes, and whether that's included or extra.
- Ask each one the same questions, especially what they expect to return for your fish's size.
- Compare written totals, not headline prices.
It's worth the few minutes. In the UK, 89%[10] of people who bought a pet cremation didn't compare providers at all. Our questions to ask a fish cremation provider make comparing easier, and the cremation cost calculator gives you a regional range to check quotes against.
Free tool
Cremation cost calculator
Estimate a realistic price range for your pet's size, location and the type of cremation.
Close to home
Local memorial spots for fish and koi
Many families want their fish's memorial close by. Options include a stone at the edge of your own pond, a native plant in a community garden with permission, or a small pet cemetery plot. By our calculation across five posted US price lists, a typical whole-body burial for a small pet, with plot and opening, is about $350[11], so a stone at home is usually the gentler budget. Scattering ashes in public lakes or rivers may need permission, so check local rules first.
For ideas that suit a pond or a small apartment equally, see our guide to pond-side markers and the memorial ideas for fish page.
Which memorial feels right for a fish?
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Reader polls
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Which fish are you thinking about right now?
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Questions people ask
How do I find a crematory that accepts fish near me?
Start with your local page in our directory, then call and ask directly whether they accept fish and what they'd expect to return for its size. Your vet or a local aquatic store may know who other fish keepers use. Or send us your location and we'll email options.
Can I bury a fish in my garden?
In most places, yes, on land you own and away from water sources. Rules vary: some councils and states restrict burial near wells and streams, and landlords may object. Bury deep enough that animals can't dig it up, and don't bury a fish that died of disease near a pond.
What if the ground is frozen?
Keep your fish sealed in the freezer until the ground thaws. It won't come to any harm, and many families find it comforting to wait for spring and plant something at the same time. Label the bag clearly so nobody gets a surprise.
Is water cremation available everywhere?
No. Pet water cremation is described as available in all US states, but that doesn't mean near every town, and availability outside the US is patchier. Ask local providers, or tell us where you live and we'll check which water cremation services reach you.
Can I scatter my koi's ashes in a lake?
It depends on who owns or manages the water. Many public waters have rules about scattering, and some require permission. Scattering around your own pond's garden, rather than into the water, avoids the question and keeps the memorial close.
Sources and our estimates
- [1] 11% of Australian households keep fish. Animal Medicines Australia, Pets in Australia 2025 (media release), 2025.
- [2] About 2 million US households keep saltwater fish. American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2025 National Pet Owners Survey release, 2025.
- [3] Nine US states have pet-crematory-specific licensing or consumer statutes: California, New York, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland and Illinois. FindPetCremations - Pet Cremation Laws & Regulations by State (2026), 2026.
- [4] As of April 2026 only Illinois and Arizona mandated written documentation to consumers for pet cremation. FindPetCremations - Pet Cremation Laws & Regulations by State (2026), 2026.
- [5] Goldfish typically live 6-7 years, usually grow 5-8 inches but can approach 2 feet and 6 pounds; releasing them into Minnesota waters is illegal. Minnesota DNR - Goldfish (Carassius auratus) invasive species page.
- [6] 13% of UK households keep indoor fish and 11% keep outdoor pond fish (2026). UK Pet Food (industry association) - UK Pet Population 2026, 2026.
- [7] UK cremation prices range from about GBP 50 for a communal cremation of a small pet to over GBP 300 for an individual cremation of a large pet (CMA). UK Competition and Markets Authority - Veterinary services for household pets, Provisional decision report Part A (Oct 2025), 2025.
- [8] Europe has about 17.6 million home aquariums. FEDIAF European Pet Food, Facts & Figures 2025 (2023 data), 2023.
- [9] An Australian provider survey of listed prices puts the median individual cremation at AUD 412 for pets up to 5 kg (range AUD 295-612). Pet Farewell (Australia) - Pet Cremation Cost Australia (2026), 2026.
- [10] 89% of UK owners who bought a pet cremation did not compare different providers; 9% did. UK Competition and Markets Authority - Veterinary services for household pets, Provisional decision report Part A (Oct 2025), 2025.
- [11] Across five posted US pet-cemetery price lists, the median whole-body burial for a small pet, including plot and opening/closing, was about $350. Our estimate: median of [Rainier $150 plot incl. first burial, Cedar Bend $290, Forest $350, Great River $750, Precious Memories $1,500]. How we calculate.
Find fish aftercare in your area
Tell us what you need and where you are. We'll reply by email with clear options and prices so you can decide in your own time.