WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The area's first pet crematorium and funeral home is bringing a new level of care to pets and pet owners during and after death.
Heavenly Paws Pet Funeral Home and Crematorium has been open since mid-January 2024, offering grieving pet owners many resources as they process the loss of a beloved pet.
The Heavenly Paws facility, located at 316 Rose Street in Williamsport, offers a variety of services including pet cremation, pet burial, pet euthanasia, end-of-life ceremonies, and other farewell ceremonies. Please see our website for a complete list of services.
Owners Doug and Kristen Oberdorf, both with experience in funeral services, felt the need to fill the area after experiencing personal loss.
After their cat, Tiger, passes away, the couple finds themselves grieving with no resources at their disposal. “After she passed away, there wasn't anything we would call 'aftercare' or anything that could help us make decisions,” Kristen said.
With over a decade of experience in the death care industry, Kristen pointed out the importance of honoring loved ones after death for animals and humans alike.
“Animals that die don't have the same options as humans. After a pet dies, it's like they're disposed of and then they're not really respected,” Kristen said. “Pet owners should respect their animals as they would any other member of their family.”
This realization set them on a new path, inspiring them to research and educate themselves on pet aftercare. They strive to provide all families with the opportunity to have support and comfort during their grief, and Kristen said that's something they've gained through education.
Currently a certified funeral director, Kristen earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Lycoming University and later earned an associate's degree in funeral science. Doug works part-time as a crematorium operator, but he hopes to run Heavenly Paws full-time in the near future.
The two are combining their knowledge and expertise in their new venture, with Kristen applying for certification in the pet funeral director and pet bereavement fields and Doug applying for certification as a certified pet crematorium operator.
“We're just guiding them and trying to give them hope and strength through this period of great sadness and pain in their lives,” Kristen said.
“Knowing that I am helping other animal lovers and pet parents is satisfying and something I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Individual approach
Under Overdorf's leadership, Heavenly Paws takes a personalized approach to care services. “We offer so many different things because every pet family is different and we want to make it personal,” Kristen said.
Our facility offers a “Celebration of Life Room'' for commemorative ceremonies and a “Comfort Room'' for a private final farewell. If the family wishes to grieve at home, the owner, along with one of our contracted veterinarians, will travel to the home and perform the euthanasia in a comfortable setting.
The “comfort room” provides a quiet and comfortable space for euthanasia.
The Observation Room at Heavenly Paws is a place where families can say goodbye to their beloved pets.
Kristen said her customers appreciate the home care services. “It's very reassuring for pet parents because I think the pet feels more comfortable with what's going on.”
According to Kristen, the Heavenly Paws facility's small size ensures a “high standard of care.” Especially during the cremation process, Heavenly Paws ensures that cremated remains are not mixed. Larger facilities often can't provide that peace of mind to pet owners, she says.
Kristen said the Overdorfs plan to build a pet funeral home and crematorium in the future in a quiet, calming environment, suggesting a wooded area along a stream. “We want the landscape and environment surrounding Pet Funeral Home to add a piece of calming comfort and healing to what we do,” she said.
Owners are in the early stages of working with local cemeteries to create designated areas for burial and scattering of pet remains. It is said that a section dedicated to pets will be created by the end of this year.
The facility's Rose Street location is centrally located in Williamsport and within 32 miles of several veterinary clinics. The owners hope to expand their partnerships with more veterinary hospitals in the future.
“The community welcomed us with open arms, and it was more than we could have ever imagined,” Kristen reflected.
