Parrot died........what to do with his body?

Question

My parrot that I have had for 23 years died unexpectedly this weekend after being in the emergency clinic for 2 days with a respiratory infection and I am a total wreck. I don't have a lot of money, and I have the option of (after paying the $500+ vet bill) either having a community cremation for $5, saving his ashes for $95 (and then buying an urn) or taking him home to bury him for free.

This is almost as hard for me as losing my mom was 2 years ago, I've been a MESS and on valium since it happened.

It was a very sudden, respiratory infection that they assure me could not have been detected in time but I can't help but blame myself for my baby's death.

What would you do? If I bring him home to bury him and we move, I would have to dig him up but I don't want to just throw him in the incinerator like a dead rat, either. I also don't have the $$ for a private cremation right now. Just not sure what to do or how else to honor this loved pet.

Answer 1

I am so sorry -- it is hard to lose a friend like that.

My suggestion is to create your own memorial for him with some photos of him (I hope you have some) in a frame with some of his pretty-est feathers. That is is best way to honor his memory and keep a bit of him with you.

The pets I've buried, I have usually planted a rosebush or other long-lasting plant over them; their bodies return to the earth, and I would never dig them up.

Remember the previous 23 years you had with him -- don't let yourself focus just on the final days. Remember his life.

Answer 2

I am so sorry to hear of you little babbies passing.I know it  is a hard desision sp? I have had to do it myself. Have your baby cremated . It is hard to do I know, but you will always have him near.Their are some beautiful urns or you can get a little pendant to wear,then let the rest of his ashes blow free as a dove.

Answer 3

you could bury him in a nice box with a old shirt of yours and plant some flowers that will grow back every year. or you can creamate him later buy a nice urn 4 him. sorry 4 ur loss

Answer 4

well wait a little longer to get money, or just get a pretty urn and put soil in it and put him in there, my hamster died and my grandmother paid 4 her creamation, i2 was 1 year ago, i still have her, i feel 4 u. =(

Answer 5

First let me say that I am so sorry for the loss of your family member.  I know how hard that can be how very hard it would be for me to lose my parrot this way too.

Perhaps you could have someone pour you a concrete box and seal him inside.  Then if you move, it will be easy to take him with you to rebury another place.  

Or, as others have said, freeze him until you can afford a cremation.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jared - you are a creep.

Answer 6

If you aren't moving anytime soon you should bury for free but put flowers and a rock with its name on it by it to honor it. I know how you feel because my friends horse died but they still buried it in their backyard. Good luck!

Answer 7

well you could take it to a place that the bird loved and bury him there? but then there is the possibility that you will move. also you could have him stuffed. i know it sounds really creepy, but i know a few people that have done that with their birds and fish. im not too sure about pricing on that goes. but really just do what you feel best! don't let anyone change your gut feeling!

Answer 8

A neat thing one can do is have your pet cremated and then have the ashes melted and blown into a glass vase, cup or other masterpiece. Its very beautiful http://www.crystalvalleyurns.com/index.h...

http://www.memoryglass.com/.

Answer 9

awww, that is really sad...

i mean, ask one of your friends to help pay for it.. I don't think that your friends would say no 2 give you some money, unless they are cold hearted. I mean, i would if it happened...

I, personally do not support cremation in any way, cuz its against my religion, but i mean, it's tough to decide. I mean, i think it would be very nice to create a memorial for him maybe in your backyard even if you DO move.

I say, put him in some dirt, then in a shoebox with maybe some pictures or something, and then if you move just carry the shoebox and rebury him. It might be creepy to do that, but since it seems like you love him THAT much, i would make a memorial, with the shoebox, and then burry him, and make some sort of above ground memorial. and if you move then recreate it..

Hope this helped, im sorry and good luck

Answer 10

I have a parakeet wrapped well in my freezer awaiting burial.  Which is nothing compared to the cat that was in there from December until the spring thaw (not my cat.  It was my sisters and she was so devastated after her passing, she knew she wanted her buried...but didn't want to know where we were keeping her until we could do it....so her freezer wasn't an option).  

It was creepy at first, but it was the only option we had...leaving her outside in the snow would have meant her thawing when the snow did, but the ground was still frozen.  

If you want to have him cremated privately, freeze him until you have the money to do it.  

I know it's not a popular idea, some think it's gross, but sometimes you do what you gotta do.

Answer 11

Stuff him.

If you don't want to do that than i'd say burry him. Not like youre moving anytime soon.

Answer 12

I am sorry for your loss,...it is amazing how attached we become to our pets...i have a dog who i love dearly,more than most people i know (really) ....

here is what i would do,reguardless of money ,or lack of money, i would opt to bury him in a spot i found most peaceful,perhaps in the woods somwhere,or in your yard,and then plant a bush over top of the burial site and say a prayer,to me thats the most natural thing to do,i would let him rest in peace after that,never would i dig him up,even if you move...just bring his memories thats it,if you have a photo of him frame it and hang it in your house, and if you move hang the photo in your next house, etc,

Do not blame yourself, birds hide illness very well, they have to out in the wild too,its just the way it is.focus on all you gave him in his life ,and all he gave you,and all the memories you shared.

It know it may sound harsh, but then you must at some point after the grieving process, let it go.....

I have heard it said the best way we can honor an animal we have lost is to get another pet ...when the time is right you will know.

I would not medicate myself if i were you,allow yourself to grieve then allow yourself to move on...somewhere a new pet awaits waiting for a loving home,share your love again,it is a healing process.....this too shall pass.God Bless!