Pets are often considered a part of a family, and it can be devastating to a family when their pet passes away. There are a few different promising options for families who want to memorialize their pet after death, much like they would another member of the family. Properly memorializing a pet can help a family during the grieving process more than the popular alternative of “letting the vet deal with it.” There are different options for families who are seeking something more meaningful and personal after their pet passes away, including burial and cremation options. While burial options are more widely known about, cremation can also be a great option for a family.
Pet Burial
There are two different options for families who want to bury their pets: home burial or a pet cemetery. Home burial is the most familiar method for pet owners, in which they bury their pet in their backyard. Families can choose to bury their pet under a favorite tree, bush, or digging spot, and even hold a funeral service. The only stipulation is that some cities do not permit pet burial, and if they do, families must be sure to bury the pet deep enough to prevent other animals digging it up. If choosing a home burial, be sure to check first with your city’s regulations regarding backyard burial. Perhaps the most significant downside to home burial is that if a family relocates, their pet’s burial spot will be lost to them.
For that reason, some people choose to bury their pet in a pet cemetery. Many larger cities have pet cemeteries, but not all small towns do. A pet cemetery can be a preferable burial option considering that the gravesite is always maintained, and the family can visit whenever they want. The downside to a pet cemetery is the often-hefty fees for pet cemetery burial. However, these fees can be worth the peace of mind that the family feels when choosing this option. Furthermore, if a family chooses a pet cemetery, they can also pick a headstone or monument to better memorialize their pet. These memorials pay sweet tribute to the lives of the beloved pet, but similar to other cemeteries, specific pet cemeteries have rules and regulations regarding the headstones they permit.
Pet Cremation
Cremation is not only becoming a more popular option among people, but also pets as well. Cremation is convenient for those who can’t bury their pets but still want to keep them close. The process of cremation is similar for pets and people, but it does vary in a few ways. The best way to find crematoriums for pets is to contact the local vet or animal shelter. Most cities have completely separate crematoriums for pets and people, but some small towns may have the same building with separate units. Some crematoriums may not be able to cremate larger pets like horses, so asking a vet about options is often the best way to find a crematorium. Find a reputable crematorium that looks clean, professional, and where the people are willing to answer any questions you may have. If they are not willing to describe to you in detail the process they undergo during cremation, they are likely not a reliable establishment. To ensure that your crematorium will take all proper precautions, ask them to describe to you their rules, regulations, and the process they follow during cremation.
The process for pet cremation is similar to human cremation in the sense that the bodies are tagged, incinerated, metal parts are removed, and then bone is crushed into a fine dust. However, pet cremation does differ in the types of cremation options that are available. Pet cremation includes: individual or private cremation, partitioned or semi-private cremation, and communal or group cremation. Communal cremation is cremation in which your pet is cremated with other pets. This is the least expensive option, but a family cannot have the ashes returned to them afterward. Partitioned cremation is cremation in which your pet is cremated with other pets, but there are partitions in the cremator dividing your pet’s ashes from other pets. However, during this process some of the ashes will mix, so the ashes returned to the family are not just their own pet’s ashes. The most preferable form of pet cremation is individual cremation, during which a pet is cremated individually so only their ashes are being returned to the family.
A family can choose these different options based on their preference and budget. Other things to consider are the options to have the crematorium pick up the pet from the family’s home and to stay with the pet during cremation. These options vary depending upon the crematorium and the family’s budget, as the add-ons can become quite expensive. One thing to consider is that urns can be purchased online in a variety of different styles. Families can also choose to do what they wish with the ashes, such as spreading them, burying them, keeping them in urns, or turning them into keepsakes such as jewelry or glass art.
A pet death can be quite challenging because pets are often a part of the family. The grief that people feel after a pet’s death is as legitimate as the grief they can feel from losing other loved ones. Memorializing a pet can aid the grieving process significantly as it helps a family come to terms with the death, and it places significance and validation on their feelings. Pets can be memorialized in many personal ways, including burial and cremation. These options vary depending upon the family and their own needs.
Blog Resources
https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/17626414.plans-for-renfrewshires-first-pet-crematorium/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48205849
https://www.weareiowa.com/iowa-live/lovingrest-pet-funeral-home-horse-cremation/1986074829
https://blog.betterplaceforests.com/everything-need-to-know-animal-cremation-services
https://cremationinstitute.com/pet-cremation/
https://www.cremationresource.org/pets/how-is-pet-cremation-done.html
https://www.oneworldmemorials.com/blogs/news/83394438-pet-cremation-and-pet-ashes
https://appcc.org.uk/key-questions-of-pet-cremation-and-burial