A Final Act of Love: Rainbow Bridge Aquamation Brings Compassionate Pet Aftercare to Canandaigua

When Mayor Palumbo's beloved family cat, Callie, passed away in December 2024, Kat and Dudley Purbeck had just opened the doors to Rainbow Bridge Aquamation in Canandaigua. Callie became a meaningful first ambassador (along with Kat and Dudley's own much-loved dog, Brady) as they began their journey into aquamation which offers a gentler, more environmentally conscious alternative to traditional pet cremation.

The Purbecks' path to opening Rainbow Bridge began with a family member's positive experience with aquamation. Already interested in pet aftercare, they were inspired by this compassionate business model. After speaking with the company that manufactures aquamation equipment and touring a business in Massachusetts, they discovered the many benefits of this water-based process. "We knew this was the right path," Kat explains.

Before Rainbow Bridge opened, pet families in the area had limited options; mostly large, flame-based crematoriums handling high volumes each day. The Purbecks envisioned something more compassionate: white-glove service with a higher level of care and a more personal touch.

"We are very respectful and we know pets really are family," says Kat. "We are always empathetic and sensitive to what is happening on one of their worst days. We want to be a source of comfort by offering this act of love."

That difference is evident from the very beginning. Dudley personally picks up pets from family homes or veterinary offices, maintaining communication with families throughout the process. They offer something rare in the industry: time. Families can spend as long as they need saying their final goodbyes. Before the aquamation process begins, the Purbecks carefully create clay paw prints, ink paw prints, and even nose prints - thoughtful, tangible keepsakes for grieving families.

The aquamation process itself is both gentle and eco-friendly. Using water instead of flame, it mimics natural decomposition while using 90% less energy than traditional cremation. For families increasingly concerned about their environmental impact, it offers peace of mind that their pet's final journey treads lightly on the earth.

"At Rainbow Bridge Aquamation, we are dedicated to treating each pet with the utmost care and respect throughout the entire process," the Purbecks emphasize. "We believe that pet aftercare is an essential step in the journey of pet ownership, the final act of love for a pet family."

For Mayor Palumbo it was the perfect way to honor Callie and provide environmentally conscious after care. “I had a wonderful experience with Dudley when our family cat passed away unexpectedly. Dudley and Kat were so helpful in explaining the process of aquamation compared to traditional fire cremation. Learning that aquamation is more environmentally friendly made it the best choice.”

For more information about Rainbow Bridge Aquamation:
Listing: https://canandaigua.com/rainbow-bridge-aquamation
Email: rbaquamation@gmail.com
Phone: 585-301-3069
Address: 68 West Avenue, Canandaigua NY 14424