Pet owners: Cremation or Burial

Question

For those who have lost a pet I was wondering what you did with your pets remains and why you choice that way. My 15 year old dog is getting up there and will likely not be with us much longer. I cant really decided when the time comes if I want to cremated her remains, part of me wants to do that so that one day when I die the urn can be placed in my casket or just get a bigger urn and put both of our ashes in it.

An old neighbor who has a lot of land has offered that we can bury her there with a headstone when she does pass on. This is a kind of offer but I wonder if I went that route (burial) would I be better just burying her in a Pet Cemetery. This guy and his partner plan on dying (Their not that old late 40’s early to mid 50’s.) on their land but once they do well……

In the end i realize this is a personnel decision but was just wondering what other people choose and the reasons.

Answer 1

One option is to bury the dog and plant a tree or flower over the grave. You can use your dog to help the plant grow and it will basically like your dog will become part of this earth.

Answer 2

I prefer having my pets cremated.  If you are local to South Jersey, there is Paws to Heaven Crematorial.  The owner there is a sweetheart and helps to make everything so much easier.

Answer 3

Awww i'm so sorry about your dog!I had to put my 14 year old cat down about 3 weeks ago.She had gotten sick and the vet confirmed it was diabetes and even with treatment and insulin shots it wouldn't guarantee to take away her pain.They said the best choice was to put her down.It was a tough decision I grew up with her and she was my best friend.With good thought I realized cremation was best for me.I'm a college student and I may not live in my hometown forever.I couldn't just bury her because I may not even be able to visit her grave often if I moved out of state.Also it may sound crazy but just the thought of my baby being outside going through winters and rain just didn't sit well with me.With cremation I know she'll always be with me even if it is just her ashes in a little tin.When I do decide to move,she'll be coming to.I miss her so so so much and think about her everyday but it just brings more comfort knowing that even though she's gone.....she's not really gone because I do have her ashes.Just decide whatever is best for you but my advice is cremation and keep the ashes of your dog!

Answer 4

after losing my 16 year old cat and 17 year old cat I had them both cremated. I do not regret this as now I will always have them with me. I didn't want to bury them for many reasons but the main reason was I'll most likely move eventually and not be able to visit them. It is a very personal decision.

Answer 5

  I had my cat cremated. We will then have his ashes put into a cat shaped urn and he will be with us forever. It's been a little over a month and I miss the lil guy soo much. It will be comforting to know that he is still sleeping on his favorite bookshelf.

  I did toy with having him freeze dried (think "Rowdy" on Scrubs) but he was not a good candidate (He had been shaved for surgery)

Answer 6

just reading this made me want to cry.  my cat, Belly Up Lord Byron, died at the end of june.  he was 15, also.  he lasted longer than i thought he would and i thought i had braced myself for the inevitable.  i thought wrong.  my best wishes to you and your puppy.

sorry that i got off topic.  Belly was buried outside my bedroom window.  we buried him with a U of M cap (my brother calls this "being buried with honors"), $2.20 American, a pizza hut name tag, and some of his favorite toys.

my vote is return her to the earth.

Answer 7

I chose Cremation.  

To begin, my dog was my best friend and agility bud.  Argos was an indoor dog who loved the outdoors.  My heart would never let me put him outside permantly - especially with Minnesota winters.  Also, if I move, he's coming with me.

Instead, I found a nice ceramic sculpture, a lightly speckled dove, that I purchased from Pier 1 and packed him inside.  Now he is were I always want him, close to me.  This ceramic bird has soft lines and a look of happiness that gives me a lot of peace, even though I am still so sad inside and miss him terribly.  But best of all, people can come to my home and see a cute ceramic decoration and never know what is inside - but I will know and honor his memory every day.

So sorry for your loss...

Answer 8

This is the way I look at it... If you want to keep your pet close by you cremation is a good way to go. Because if you bury him at a pet cemetery you move theres no taking anything with you.  About burying him in you back yard I would research it before you think about it cause I believe it is against the law in towns because of health issues.  You could ask your vet about this.  It is a hard decision to make, make it before it happens.  It took me three trips to the vet to put my cat to sleep cause I didn't know what I wanted to do.  So I got a little carried away with my sources I included a site for the rainbow bridge poem and on line pet memorials.  Good luck in making your decision.