This Pet Cremation Authorization Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into between the undersigned pet owner or authorized representative ("Owner") Friends Cremation Utah LLC, and their employees, agents, and representatives (collectively, "Cremation Provider"). By signing this Agreement, the Owner grants permission for the cremation of the pet described below in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

1. Authorization for Cremation

The Owner hereby authorizes and requests the Cremation Provider to cremate the remains of the pet named below ("Pet"). The Owner represents and warrants that they have the full right and authority to authorize the cremation of the Pet, and that no other person has an equal or superior right to make decisions regarding the final disposition of the Pet’s remains.

2. No Viewing, or Witnessing

The Owner understands and acknowledges that the Cremation Provider does not offer the following services:

  • The ability to view or see the Pet before or during the cremation process.

  • Paw prints or other impressions.

  • Witnessing the cremation process.

  • Hair clippings 

3. Personal Items Policy

Any items provided to Friends Cremation Utah LLC along with your pet will be cremated or disposed of at the sole discretion of Friends Cremation Utah LLC. These items will not be returned under any circumstances. This policy supersedes any verbal or written agreement made with any representative, employee, or staff member of Friends Cremation Utah LLC.

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge and understand that all accompanying items will be cremated or disposed of and will not be returned to you.

4. Cremation Process

The Owner acknowledges that cremation is an irreversible process that involves the use of high heat and flame to reduce the Pet’s remains to bone fragments, which are then further processed into a finer consistency. The Owner understands that due to the nature of cremation, it is not possible to recover the Pet’s remains in their entirety and that incidental commingling of cremated remains may occur.

5. Representation of Authority

The Owner represents and warrants that:

  • They are the rightful owner or duly authorized representative with the legal authority to make final arrangements for the Pet.

  • No other individual has equal or superior rights to make decisions regarding the disposition of the Pet.

  • They agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Cremation Provider from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from disputes over the authorization of the Pet’s cremation.

6. Release of Liability

The Owner releases and holds harmless Friends Cremation Utah LLC, and all employees, agents, and representatives from any and all liability, claims, or damages associated with the cremation process, including but not limited to incidental or unavoidable loss of remains.

7. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Texas. By signing below, the Owner acknowledges that they have read and understand this Agreement, and voluntarily agree to its terms. 

8. Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement

By signing this agreement, you agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Friends Cremation Utah LLC, and their respective owners, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of or related to the services provided, including but not limited to any dispute regarding the handling, cremation, or return of remains. This indemnification shall survive the completion of services and is binding upon you and your heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

9. Private Cremation – Disposition of Unclaimed Remains

If the Client has selected a Private Cremation service, Friends Cremation Utah LLC will hold the cremated remains for a period of thirty (30) calendar days from the date the Client is first notified that the remains are available for retrieval. In the event the remains are not collected within this thirty (30) day period, Friends Cremation Utah LLC shall have the full and exclusive authority, without further notice to the Client or any other party, to scatter, inter, or otherwise dispose of the cremated remains in any manner Friends Cremation Utah LLC deems proper, in its sole discretion. The Client acknowledges and agrees that Friends Cremation Utah LLC shall not be liable for, and the Client expressly waives, releases, and discharges Friends Cremation Utah LLC from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, or liabilities of any kind arising from such disposition.

10. Return of Urn and Restriction on Additional Materials

Upon delivery or retrieval of the urn containing cremated remains, Friends Cremation Utah LLC strongly advises and instructs the Client not to accept, remove, or otherwise take possession of any additional materials, containers, equipment, or items from Friends Cremation Utah LLC. Such materials may contain biological matter, blood, bodily fluids, body parts, or other substances classified as hazardous or biohazardous. Should the Client elect to disregard this instruction and take possession of any additional items, the Client expressly assumes all risk, responsibility, and liability associated therewith. By accepting possession of such items, the Client irrevocably waives, releases, and discharges Friends Cremation Utah LLC, its owners, employees, contractors, and agents from any and all claims, damages, losses, injuries, or liabilities, whether known or unknown, arising directly or indirectly from the handling, possession, or use of such items.

11. Superseding Effect

The policies set forth herein are intended to be binding and controlling, and shall supersede, override, and take precedence over any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements, contracts, communications, representations, understandings, or verbal statements made between the Client and Friends Cremation Utah LLC, whether written or oral. The Client acknowledges that these provisions constitute a material condition of service and agrees that no other contract term or representation shall modify, limit, or diminish the effect of these policies.

12. Identification and Reliance on Owner Representations

The Cremation Provider shall rely exclusively upon the information provided by the Owner regarding the identity of the Pet. The Cremation Provider shall not be responsible for independently verifying the identity of the Pet and shall not be held liable for any disputes, errors, or claims relating to misidentification.

13. Transfer of Custody by Third Parties

If the Pet is delivered to the Cremation Provider by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or any third party, the Owner authorizes the Cremation Provider to rely upon such third party’s representations regarding the Pet. The Owner releases and holds harmless the Cremation Provider from all liability relating to misidentification, condition of the remains, or chain of custody when the Pet is received from such third parties.

14. Medical Devices and Implants

The Owner authorizes the Cremation Provider to remove, dispose of, or recycle any medical devices, surgical implants, microchips, or foreign objects contained within the Pet’s body in a lawful manner. Such items will not be returned to the owner.

15. Payment Terms

Payment in full is required prior to the performance of cremation services. The Cremation Provider reserves the right to withhold release of cremated remains until all outstanding amounts are paid in full. In the event of non-payment, the Cremation Provider may, after thirty (30) calendar days, dispose of the cremated remains in any lawful manner at its sole discretion, without liability.

16. Limitation of Damages

In no event shall the Cremation Provider’s liability exceed the total amount actually paid by the Owner for cremation services. The Cremation Provider shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or emotional distress damages, including claims based upon the sentimental or emotional value of the cremated remains.

17. Force Majeure / Service Delays

The Cremation Provider shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to equipment failure, power outages, labor disputes, natural disasters, transportation interruptions, governmental actions, or other events of force majeure.

18. Disposition if Owner is Deceased or Unreachable

If the Owner is deceased, incapacitated, or otherwise unreachable, the Cremation Provider may, after thirty (30) calendar days, dispose of the cremated remains in any lawful manner at its sole discretion, without liability. Any costs associated with such disposition shall be the responsibility of the Owner’s estate or legal representatives.

19. Acknowledgment of Non-Commercial Value

The Owner acknowledges and agrees that cremated remains have no commercial or monetary value, and that the Cremation Provider makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the sentimental or emotional value of the cremation process or the cremated remains.

20.  Friends Cremation Utah LLC – Shared Cremation Provisions

These terms (“Terms”) are incorporated into and form a part of the Pet Cremation Contract (“Contract”) between Friends Cremation Utah LLC (“Company”) and the undersigned client (“Client”). By selecting the shared cremation option, Client agrees to the following provisions:

  1. Shared Cremation Process: Client acknowledges that the shared cremation option involves the cremation of the Client’s pet together with other pets in a group process, resulting in the commingling of remains.

  2. Non-Return of Ashes or Remains: Client understands that, due to the commingled nature of shared cremation, no ashes, cremated remains, or any portion thereof will be provided to the Client. The Company has no obligation to isolate or return any specific remains.

  3. Disposition of Ashes: Client consents to the Company disposing of or scattering all ashes and cremated remains from the shared cremation process at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company may determine the method, location, and timing of such disposition, including scattering in a designated area or other lawful disposal, without notice to or approval from the Client.

  4. Waiver of Claims: By choosing shared cremation, Client relinquishes any right or claim to receive ashes or cremated remains and releases Friends Cremation Utah LLC, its agents, employees, and affiliates from liability related to the commingling, non-return, or disposition of the remains.

These Terms are binding upon the Client and governed by the laws of the state in which Friends Cremation Utah LLC operates. All other provisions of the Contract remain unchanged unless expressly modified herein.

Client Acknowledgment:
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to these Terms regarding the shared cremation option.

Friends Cremation Utah LLC will make every reasonable effort to perform the cremation services within the timeframe selected by the customer. In the event that Friends Cremation Utah LLC is unable to meet the selected timeline due to unforeseen circumstances, and the customer has paid for expedited services or selected the Choice Cremation Package, the customer shall be entitled to a refund of the additional fees associated with those services. By signing this agreement, the customer acknowledges and agrees that this contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous oral or written representations, communications, or agreements, including but not limited to any statements made by employees, agents, or representatives of Friends Cremation Utah LLC via telephone, email, or other means. No oral statements or promises shall modify or alter the terms of this agreement.