With over 10 years of custom preservation experience, you can rest assured that your specimen is in good hands at Rest in Pieces.
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING A PRESERVATION INQUIRY.
This guide answers frequently asked questions, and includes information that will help provide you with a memorial experience that’s as stress-free as possible. We know firsthand how tough it can be losing a beloved pet in the family, so we’re here for support.
Important Note
We are not veterinarians or an emergency service. We are not equipped to handle immediate requests or emergencies, nor do we always have available space for storage.
When the time does come, please reach out to us via email and we’ll get back to you within 24–48 hours.
do not bring any animal to us until we’ve communicated. we will not be able to take your animal without notice.
Laws
All pets and custom preservations must adhere to Federal and Virginia Wildlife Laws. No exceptions.
Timelines
All timelines provided are estimates. While we strive to complete your project promptly, delays may occur. Please be patient, as we handle every pet with the utmost care and respect and will never rush a memorial to meet a deadline.
1. Have Freezer Space on Hand: Once your pet has passed, please place your pet in a freezer. We will not accept any decaying/rotten animals. Please see Before and After Death Guidelines for more details.
2. Email Us: Fill out the Preservation Inquiry Form below.
3. Receive a Quote : We will respond within 24-48 hrs with a price quote and timeline estimate.
4. Approval & Deposit: Approve the quote, and we’ll send you a custom order & POLICY form TO SIGN, and a 50% deposit invoice VIA EMAIL.
5. Drop-Off: After paying the deposit and signing all forms, bring your pet to us during store hours. Attach your name, phone number, and your pet’s name to the bag or box. We are able to let you in through our side door if you would rather not walk through the retail area of the store. We understand the grieving process can make it difficult to be around other people. Just let us know beforehand, and we will accommodate you.
6. PICK-UP: after paying your final invoice you have two weeks to pick up your preservation.
The Process
Before & After Death Guidelines
Before Death -
We no longer start custom preservation forms for pets that are still alive. We’re happy to discuss options, but the process begins after your pet has passed.
However, if you have a larger pet like a Great Pyrennes or Husky you will need to contact us before the time comes. Please see Larger Pets below for details.
After Death
Freeze your pet as soon as possible. You will need to make your own arrangements for freezing until we are able to get back with you.
We cannot accept decomposing animals under any circumstances.
Wrap your pet in a bag or blanket and place it in the freezer. Freezer burn does not affect our processes, so that is no worry.
Larger Pets
We can accommodate larger animals (e.g., Huskies, Great Pyrenees) with extra preparation time. If you don’t have a freezer large enough for your pet, contact us before their passing to arrange immediate processing upon arrival.
Please note that larger animals may incur additional processing fees.
Deposit Policy
A 50% deposit of the estimated quote + sales tax is emailed to you via Square. Payment is required within 48 hours of receiving the invoice. Unpaid deposits result in project cancellation.
Projects under $100 require full payment upfront.
Final Payment
Final payments are emailed to you via Square invoice and must be completed within two weeks of receiving the invoice.
Unpaid invoices incur a $10/day fee until settled.
Payment must be made before pickup.
Once Completed:
When your memorial is ready, you’ll have two weeks to pick it up. If you need more time, just let us know.
Failure to communicate will result in a $10/day holding fee.
After 6 months of no communication, the project will be considered abandoned and sold to recover costs.
LIVE OUT OF STATE? (U.S. ONLY)
We can accept pets shipped from out of state and have done so many times!
Requirements:
Freeze your pet for at least 48 hours before shipping.
Wrap them in multiple sealed bags, surrounded by ice packs and a blanket to ensure it stays frozen through the whole journey.
Ship overnight via UPS (preferred) on a Monday to avoid delays. Please avoid Fedex if you are able as we have had multiple issues receiving our mail from them.
Do not ship before contacting us.
Provide the tracking number after sending your package so we can keep an eye out for it
We’ll notify you when your pet arrives safely in our care.
Services & Pet
Memorial Packages
Wet Specimens
We take expert care in all of our wet specimen preservations. We pride ourselves on placing your specimen in a natural position to best honor its life in death. While we do take suggestions, we will place your specimen in the best fitting position and jar available.
SMALL - $100-$150 | MEDIUM - $150-$200 | LaRGE - $200-$300+
Animal Size Guide
“arby” the baby wallaby
passed away from natural causes, preserved for a zoo educational center
Dermestid Beetle Cleaning
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE UNABLE TO BEETLE CLEAN YOUR ANIMAL IF THEY HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED. THE CHEMICALS WILL KILL OUR BEETLE COLONY!
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW MUSEUMS CLEAN THEIR SKELETONS SO WELL? THEY USE BUGS! DERMESTID BEETLES WILL EXPERTLY CLEAN ALL THE TISSUE RIGHT TO THE BONE! WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING DERMESTID BEETLES FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW, AND THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MUSEUM QUALITY CLEANED SKULLS & SKELETONS.
Skull Only:
SMALL - $100-$150 | MEDIUM - $150-$200 | LaRGE - $250-$350 | XL - $400+
Full Skeleton:
SMALL - $200-$250 | MEDIUM - $250-$350 | LaRGE - $400-$500 | XL - $500+
“Rocky” The green-winged macaw ambassador - BEETLE CLEANED SKULL WITH CUSTOM BRASS STAND
Articulation
OUR RESIDENT “BONE-SUTURE” IS HERE TO RE-ARTICULATE YOUR SPECIMENS AND PETS WITH SKILLFUL CARE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL. WE CAN ACCOMMODATE MOST POSITION REQUESTS! SPECIMENS CAN TAKE FROM 10-30 HOURS TO COMPLETE DEPENDING ON SIZE, SPECIES, AND POSITIONING.
please note if skeleton is not already cleaned, an additional dermestid beetle cleaning service is required.
$60 per hour
Domestic cat cleaning & articulation - $2500
BEETLE CLEANED STILLBORN GOAT FULL SKELETON
NETHERLANDS DWARF RABBIT
Magellanic Penguin ARTICULATION
FIGHTING CHICKEN
Entomology
our in-house entomology department is eager to pin your butterflies, moths, tarantulas, scorpions, wasps, BEETLES, and whatever else you might find into timeless and traditional entomological displays that will last a lifetime!
Insect Pinning & frame - $100 | tarantula pinning & frame - $200
CUSTOM FLYING BUTTERFLY COLLECTION IN CLOCHE DISPLAY
Portraits
Kiersten Thomas, working under the business name O Wisteria, is a Richmond based multidisciplinary artist that works with both traditional and digital mediums, but specializes in pen and ink. Kiersten draws inspiration from the natural world, folklore, and the unknown; heavy on the symbolism and delicately working to balance darkness and light. Having experienced the loss of her own beloved cat, Kiersten brings a deep sense of empathy and understanding to her memorial pet portraits. See more of Kiersten’s work on Instagram @o.wisteria and at owisteria.com
5x7 in. Pen & ink portrait - $300
Pet/Single Items
Additional Services
Taxidermy Repair
Did your taxidermy fall off the wall? Did something arrive broken from shipping? We can help! We have a very skilled repair team who is eager and ready to bring your mounts back to their former glory. Please note we are not taxidermists and do not skin and custom mount animals. We only offer repairs on already mounted pieces.
Repairs are completed at $100/hr + materials & supplies
Appraisals
With over 10 years of experience buying and selling taxidermy, curiosities, and all things odd, we have well-versed insights on the current market for these items. We can give you accurate pricing information based on real-life sales and experiences. We have a wide network of trusted field experts, osteologists, zoologists and more to ensure your piece is appraised appropriately!
Single Item Appraisal | $50
Full Collection Appraisal | $100/hr plus associated travel fees if applicable (gas, lodging, etc)
Pet Memorial Packages
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-5x7 Portrait
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-Mummified Paw
-Skull Cleaning
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-Full Skeletal Cleaning
-Portrait
Non-euthanized
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-5x7 Portrait
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-Mummified Paw
-5x7 Portrait
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-Framed Nose & Paw Prints
-Whisker & Hair Collection
-4x Mummified Paws
-Heart Preservation
-5x7 Portrait
EUTHANIZED
BELOVED “HANS” DOMESTIC CAT - WET SPECIMEN HEART PRESERVATION + WHISKER COLLECTION IN GLASS VIAL
BELOVED “HANS” DOMESTIC CAT - FRAMED PAW AND NOSE PRINT
Cremation
After we have performed the requested services on your pet, you are still able to have them cremated. We do not offer cremation services in house, but we recommend Caring Pet Cremations. Once our services are complete, CPC will come to the store and pick up your animal for cremation. All CPC services are billed through them. You can read more about their business here. If you have a different cremation place you’d like to use, please let us know so we can make the proper arrangements.
Preservation Inquiry Form
please fill out after you’ve read all of the information above.
important: WE ARE UNABLE TO BEETLE CLEAN AND/OR ARTICULATE YOUR ANIMAL IF THEY HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED. THE CHEMICALS WILL KILL OUR BEETLE COLONY! IF THE USE OF EUTHANASIA IS NOT DISCLOSED, YOU WILL BE HELD LIABLE for REPLACING OUR BEETLE COLONY. PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH OUR EUTHANIZED ANIMAL OPTIONS ABOVE BEFOR SUBMITTING AN InQUIRY.
THANK YOU.