There are currently several references pertaining to pet cremation and burial services.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania code
Title 49. Professional and Vocational standards
Department of state
Chapter 31. State Board of veterinary medicine
Chapter 31. Principal 4. Fees
Financial arrangements for rendering of veterinary services should be in accord with professional standards that safeguard the best interest of the client and the animal. Fees for Professional Services should be clearly explained to the client in advance of billing.
Veterinarians may not pay or receive commissions, rebates or other forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services, without informing the client of the arrangement.
Veterinarians may not solicit or accept a commission, rebate or referral fee in connection with the referral of a client to purveyors of merchandise or services, including purveyors of dog food, cremation or burial services, caskets, urns, and livestock supplies, unless the payments are fully disclosed to the client.
American Veterinary Medical Association
Total ethics Revised 1996
Commissions, rebates, and influence on judgment
It is inconsistent with the principles of Veterinary medical ethics for the veterinarian to enter an agreement whereby they stand to profit through referring clients to other providers of services or products. The veterinarian should not jeopardize client trust by accepting rebates or commissions for referring clients to other providers.
The choice of treatment or animal care should not be influenced by considerations other than the need of a patient, the welfare of the client, and the safety of the public.
Ownership and operation of pet cemeteries and crematoriums
The ethical aspect of ownership and operation of a pet cemetery or crematorium by veterinarians should not be significantly different from Veterinarians involvement in other non veterinary business activities such as pet shops, boarding kennels, and feed mills. Ideally, the enterprise should be a business entity completely separate from the veterinary Medical Service operation. Because the pet owning public may view burial and cremation in terms of human reference, these services should be fully explained, when requested by the client, so that the difference, if any, will be completely understood and the client will not be deceived.
