Peaceful Journey Home, DVM

About Peaceful Journey Home, DVM

Peaceful Journey Home, DVM is a St. George, Utah-based practice providing in-home pet euthanasia and aquamation services to families across the greater St. George area and surrounding Washington County communities. Led by Dr. Jessica H. Smith, a licensed veterinarian deeply committed to making the end-of-life process as gentle and dignified as possible, the practice uniquely combines the home visit experience with on-site cremation at their own Peaceful Journey Home Crematorium — meaning your pet's care stays in the same trusted hands from beginning to end.

Aquamation — also known as water-based cremation or alkaline hydrolysis — is the primary aftercare method offered by Peaceful Journey Home, and Dr. Smith's practice is one of the few in the region to offer it. Aquamation uses water and an alkaline solution rather than direct heat, producing no harmful greenhouse gas emissions, no fossil fuel combustion, and leaving only the bone minerals as cremains. It is widely regarded as a gentler, more environmentally responsible alternative to flame cremation, and Dr. Smith's team produces all custom engravings in-house for a personalized keepsake experience.

Services Offered

Peaceful Journey Home, DVM provides the following services to families in the St. George, Utah area:

• In-Home Pet Euthanasia
• Private Aquamation (water-based cremation) with Ashes Returned
• Communal Aquamation (no ashes returned)
• Handcrafted Knotty Alder Wooden Urns (included with standard aquamation)
• Ink Paw Print and Lock of Fur
• Custom Urn Engravings and Photo Engravings (done in-house)
• Clay Paw Prints
• In-Home Pickup for Pets Who Pass at Home

What to Expect

In-home euthanasia appointments with Dr. Smith begin with a brief physical examination performed to the pet's comfort level, followed by sedation to ease pain and anxiety before the euthanasia procedure. If aquamation is selected, Dr. Smith personally transports your pet's remains to the Peaceful Journey Home Crematorium at the conclusion of the appointment. She also notifies your family veterinarian of your pet's passing as a professional courtesy. Standard private aquamation includes a handcrafted Knotty Alder wooden urn (sized appropriately for your pet's weight), an ink paw print, and a lock of fur — all at weight-based pricing starting from $130. Custom engravings including name, dates, digitized paw prints, and even photo engravings are produced in-house, offering families a meaningful, lasting tribute.