Many people say that their pets are more than just pets – they’re family. This means for some of us, the loss of a beloved pet can hurt just as much as the loss of a human family member. As such, some people may want to say goodbye in the same way with a funeral. How might you go about arranging a funeral for your pet?
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Planning a Funeral
It’s hard to know when to plan a funeral for your pet. A suitable time may be towards the end of their expected lifespan; particularly if they have been diagnosed with a chronic disease by a vet, such as osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease or cancer. While your pet is being kept comfortable on palliative care, you can think about how you want to say goodbye. This is also the perfect time to do lots of fun things with your pet; such as going on visits, giving them treats they aren’t normally allowed, or buying them gifts.
Unfortunately, some people won’t have the time to plan a funeral before their pet’s death. Particularly if managing their palliative care is very intensive, or if their pet dies unexpectedly. In these cases, planning for a funeral may have to occur after. It is important you ensure your pet’s remains are stored safely during this time. (Most vets can point you to a pet crematorium who can store your pet’s body). How long the planning takes will depend on how much time you need, and how long your pet can be safely stored for.
Location of the Funeral
The first step in planning is determining what sort of funeral you want and where it will take place. There are a few different options to choose from.
Do you want to have a self-organised funeral?
This may be more difficult to organise than one from a company, but will be more personal to you. You might want the funeral to take place at home, or outside in a nice part of the country. Maybe there is an area your pet loved to visit you could hold the funeral at, like a park or beach. You could keep it simple and just have a little gathering at home, or go all out and have a party celebrating your pet’s life. Self-organised funerals are likely to be cheaper than company-organised events.
The other option involves asking a pet funeral company to assist you
The two main options for saying goodbye to your pet are cremation or burial at a specialist pet cemetery. There are plenty of these businesses around who can organise a funeral if desired. Other, more specialist options, may be available too. This option may require less planning on your part, they may be more formal like a human funeral, and could give you more options for the proceedings. However, they are likely going to be the more expensive option, costing hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on what you want.
Who is Invited
Just like human funerals, pet funerals are a chance for those who loved the animal to comfort each other and say goodbye. Have a think who might want to share this experience with you. You may want to keep it quiet and just within the household, or maybe invite a few close family members who knew the pet best. Perhaps you also have good friends who spent a lot of time with your animal, or who you just want there to support you.
Some people may even want to invite professionals who knew their animals well, such as groomers, walkers, nurses and vets. Don’t be offended if they decline the invitation, they may not feel they are comfortable with doing this. Finally, are there any animal friends who might want to attend the funeral? Many pets, dogs especially, will have animal friends they spent time with. While animals may not be able to understand what is going on, it may be some comfort knowing they are there with you to say goodbye.
What Will Happen
What takes place at your pet’s funeral is very personal and down to you. You might want to have a set plan or just take it as it comes. You might want to have speeches about your pet, or statements from friends. Maybe you will share some treasured memories together. Showing photos and videos of your pet in happier times is always a nice idea. Would you want to get creative, and have a board where people can write their thoughts, feelings or even attach photos? The choices are endless, so think about what suits you best.
At some human funerals, gifts may be accepted – would you want this at your pet’s funeral too? Gifts may be small and to the family, such as cards, chocolate or flowers. Or you could set up a donation box to an animal-related charity so that your pet’s memory can help support other animals? The pet crematorium or burial company may even accept donations to help support their work.
Memorials
Finally, consider your pet’s final resting place and if you want a memorial there. Generally, pets are either buried or cremated, though again bespoke options may be available. You can bury your pet on your own land easily, or at a designated pet cemetery. After a cremation, ashes can be buried, scattered somewhere or kept as a treasure. Do you want to keep your pet close by or scattered somewhere they loved to visit?
It is important to note that pets can only legally be buried on your own land, unless you have permission from the council, landowner or similar. If you wish to bury or scatter ashes somewhere else, check you are allowed to first.
Regardless of where your pet lies to rest, you might want to have a permanent reminder there too. This may be a headstone or grave site, like in human cemeteries, or something more subtle. You could plant a pretty bush or tree over the site, or use their ashes in soil to grow a houseplant. You might even want something others can enjoy, such as purchasing a public bench or sapling in their name, so you can always be reminded of your pet as you walk by. One other good idea floating around the internet is creating a stick or ball library near a beach or dog park, so other dogs can have fun in your pet’s memory.
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