For most people, pets are part of the family. So when we lose a furry friend we look for a way to commemorate the memories we shared. The trouble is, it’s not always easy to find the perfect way to celebrate the time we had together. Did you know that you can hold a funeral or memorial service for your pet? In fact, pet funerals are becoming more widely accepted. Here are 10 things that you may not have known about having a pet funeral. For more information on ways to remember your pet visit our Memorializing Your Pet page.
1. A pet funeral or memorial service is a great way to say goodbye.
Holding a funeral or memorial service for your pet gives you the opportunity to say goodbye and to share your grief with those who care about you.
2. You can invite your pet's friends.
Friends and family members who had a relationship with your pet may appreciate having the chance to participate in your special goodbye. You can invite people who knew your pet to join in the ceremony by sharing a special memory.
3. Size doesn't matter.
A pet funeral or memorial service can be large or small; it’s not mandatory that it be a grand affair. If it will help you heal from your loss, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a ceremony just for you.
4. Children can participate.
There are many roles that children can play in planning a ceremony for a beloved pet. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, being invited to participate in planning and conducting the service can help them heal after the loss.
5. Do it yourself or hire someone to do the service.
When it comes to pet funerals and memorial services anything goes. You can definitely design your own ceremony. Our website has lots of ideas to get you started. If you prefer, you can hire a funeral celebrant who specializes in helping conduct services to honor pets. Visit our directory of funeral celebrants.
6. You can have the service anywhere.
There is no right or wrong place to hold your ceremony. Many people choose to have the service at home or at one of the animal’s favorite spots, but there are also funeral homes that specialize in memorializing pets.
7. You might be able to take their ashes with you.
There are currently 4 states where you can have your pet’s ashes can be buried with human cremation remains. Other states are considering legislation to allow the practice.
8. Check before burying.
In many places, there are laws that prohibit burying your pet’s ashes in the backyard. Even if there are no laws prohibiting home burial, there may be specifications regarding grave depth. It’s always a good idea to check the local regulations before you start digging.
9. Consider a pet cemetery.
There are more than 700 pet cemeteries in the U.S. and most offer facilities for pet funerals and memorial services.
10. There are amazing options for memorializing your pet.
From handcrafted urns to lovely high-quality jewelry, there are many ways to honor the memory of your pet. The Funeralwise store has a great selection of memorial products for every taste and style. Visit our store.
While holding a funeral may not seem right for you, many experts on grief believe that holding some type of ceremony or ritual can help us cope with the loss of a treasured animal friend. The ceremony can be as simple as saying a few words or as elaborate as a traditional human funeral. What’s best for you will depend entirely on personal preference—there is no right or wrong choice, only what’s right for you and your family.
Visit our Coping with the Loss of a Pet page for information on dealing with the grief associated with pet loss.
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A pet funeral or memorial service is a great way to say goodbye.
Holding a funeral or memorial service for your pet gives you the opportunity to say goodbye and to share your grief with those who care about you.
-
You can invite your pet’s friends.
Friends and family members who had a relationship with your pet may appreciate having the chance to participate in your special goodbye. You can invite people who knew your pet to join in the ceremony by sharing a special memory.
-
Size doesn’t matter.
A pet funeral or memorial service can be large or small, it’s not mandatory that it be a grand affair. If it will help you heal from your loss, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a ceremony just for you.
-
Children can participate.
There are many roles that children can play in planning a ceremony for a beloved pet. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, being invited to participate in planning and conducting the service can help them heal after the loss.
-
Do it yourself or hire someone to do the service.
When it comes to pet funerals and memorial services anything goes. You can definitely design your own ceremony. Our website has lots of ideas to get you started. If you prefer, you can hire a funeral celebrant who specializes in helping conduct services to honor pets. Visit our directory of funeral celebrants.
-
You can have the service anywhere.
There is no right or wrong place to hold your ceremony. Many people choose to have the service at home or at one of the animal’s favorite spots, but there are also funeral homes that specialize in memorializing pets.
-
You might be able to take their ashes with you.
There are currently 4 states where you can have your pet’s ashes can be buried with human cremation remains. Other states are considering legislation to allow the practice.
-
Check before burying.
In many places, there are laws that prohibit burying your pet’s ashes in the backyard. Even if there are no laws prohibiting home burial, there may be specifications regarding grave depth. It’s always a good idea to check the local regulations before you start digging.
-
Consider a pet cemetery.
There are more than 700 pet cemeteries in the U.S. and most offer facilities for pet funerals and memorial services.
-
There are amazing options for memorializing your pet.
From handcrafted urns to lovely high-quality jewelry, there are many ways to honor the memory of your pet. The Funeralwise store has a great selection of memorial products for every taste and style. Visit our store.
