Burying or cremating your pet

When considering burying or cremating your pet, it is important to know your options and what’s involved.

27 Mar 2020 By Leanne Philpott Comments

Losing a beloved pet is hard on everyone. While it’s important to grieve, it’s also vital that appropriate arrangements be made to honour your furry friend. Some people may choose to have their pet cremated, others bury their dog or cat in a pet cemetery, while some prefer a more quiet ceremony at home.

Cremation

Some people choose to have their pets cremated, before placing the pet’s ashes in an urn or scattering them someplace special. In Australia, pet cremation follows the same systems and safety checks as human cremation. Therefore you can be ensured that your pet is in safe hands.

Just because you have to say goodbye to your pet doesn’t mean you have to forget them. Memorials such as urns, plaques and keepsake boxes can be offered for those who wish to memorialise their beloved pet. Some places even offer full mortuaries and funerals for the deceased four-legged friend.

The cremation process usually takes 2 – 4 days. The company will often pick up the deceased pet from your house or the vet, before taking it to their premises. It is here that the body is stored and then cremated. The ashes are then made available for collection or taken to you.

Cremations can cost anywhere between $200 to $400, depending on the service.

Pet cemetery

Pet cemeteries aren’t just from Stephen King books and Simpsons episodes. They are real places that can offer a place to bury your pet with an individually marked grave. Tombstones or plaques can be used to memorialise your pet and are often available for purchase on the property.

Pet burials usually start around the $450 mark, while funerals and wakes are add-on services.

Companies that offer pet cremation, funerals or cemeteries must be fully-licensed and approved by the local government.

Backyard burial

Some people choose to bury their pet in the backyard or garden. While there are no current laws against this in NSW, this can vary from state to state. It is important to double check with your local council before planning a backyard burial.

Home burials allow you to host your own funeral and create a permanent memorial. Perhaps your children could decorate a headstone, or you could mark the grave with a statue.

Vet services

If you are unsure what to do with your deceased pet or don’t wish to for them to be cremated or buried, you can take them to the vet. While it may seem strange to do this, Australian vets can take care your pet’s remains for a small fee of $50 - $100, depending on the size of the animal.

In these cases, the animal is generally cremated with other deceased pets. The ashes are then disposed of and cannot be returned to you. This is an easy solution to those who don’t wish to pay for a ceremony or memorial plaque. Do not feel guilty! You are not disrespecting your pet by choosing this option over the others. Only 10% to 20% of Australians choose to have their pets individually cremated or buried in a pet ceremony.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Check out this infographic, courtesy of Forever in My Heart Jewelry — an animal friendly site dedicated to personalised pieces of jewelery.

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27 Mar 2020 By Leanne Philpott Comments

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