Join to see when we post new obituaries

Your email will not be used for any other purpose and will not be shared. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Please wait

Verifying your email address

Please wait

Unsubscribing your email address

You have been unsubscribed

You will no longer receive messages from our email mailing list.

You have been subscribed

Your email address has successfully been added to our mailing list.

Something went wrong

There was an error verifying your email address. Please try again later, or re-subscribe.

Can I Be Buried with My Beloved Pet?

September 22, 2024

With 70 percent of United States households owning a pet, it’s no wonder why funeral directors are often asked if someone can be buried with an animal they love so dearly. But pets are more than just animals. They’re part of our families. And just as we want to spend eternity with the people we love, we often want to spend forever with the pets who affected our lives. But can you be buried with your pet? Let’s break down your options.

Can I be buried with my pet?

When it comes to any form of burial, the best way to know for sure what’s allowed is by consulting your state’s laws and contacting the cemetery you’d like to be buried in. For the burial of pets, state laws vary greatly. In most states, it’s not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.

However, most cemeteries do not offer this service, mainly so as not to offend the other families who are burying their loved ones there. In some states, like Pennsylvania, cemeteries may have separate sections for the burials of pets or for the burials of pets with their humans. Some states allow for humans to be buried in pet cemeteries. However, it’s worth noting that most of these situations require the burial of cremated remains, not full-body burials. Most pet cemeteries do not have the space for the full-body burial of humans.

Whole-family cemeteries are working to change that. Whole-family cemeteries acknowledge that pets are a part of the family. Although many of these facilities allow for the full-body burials of both pets and their human companions, the rules and restrictions in each of these cemeteries vary. The advocacy group Green Pet-Burial Society keeps a list of all of the whole-family cemeteries currently in the United States, as well as a list of cemeteries with separate sections where a pet may be buried.

Can my pet’s ashes be placed in my coffin?

If your pet passes before you, one of the easiest ways to be buried together is by placing their cremated remains in your coffin. As with any burial practice, it’s essential to check with the cemetery to ensure that you’re allowed to have a pet’s ashes in your coffin. But, generally, this action is accepted at most cemeteries.

Before you pass, be sure to let your next-of-kin know that you’d like your pet’s cremated remains buried with you. Your next-of-kin should provide the ashes to your funeral director to ensure that the pet’s cremated remains go where they need to go on the day of the funeral. Your funeral director should check with the cemetery to be sure that the ashes are allowed if you have not already cleared your decision with the cemetery yourself.

What happens if I pass before my pet does?

In most cases, if you pass before your pet does, a cemetery will not exhume your body to then bury your pet with you. However, in whole-family cemeteries, you can arrange for your pet to be buried with you at a later time. Green Pet-Burial Society advocates for you to set up a pet trust, which allows you to organize and fund the future care of your pet in the event of your passing or inability to care for the animal. Be sure to make your wishes for your pet’s burial clear to the future carer, and only choose a caretaker you fully trust to tend to your pet.

Sadly, some people choose to euthanize their pets to ensure that they can be buried together, which is a significant reason why the Green Pet-Burial Society promotes the use of a whole-family cemetery. Because a pet can be buried at a later date, their caretaker does not have to be concerned about an inability to be buried together if they pass on before their pet.

One of the easiest ways to be buried with your pet is by placing their ashes in your coffin. However, if your pet does not pass before you do, you may want to consider looking into whole-family cemeteries and make a plan for your pet’s future care and burial. If you have a beloved pet that you’d like to be buried with, talk to your funeral director about your options. They may have additional ideas about where and how you and your companion can spend forever together.

www.bisslerandsons.com

Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory has served families in Kent, Ohio, and all of Portage County since 1913. The company transitioned ownership in 2018 when Rick Bissler retired and arranged to merge his family’s funeral home with the Billow family’s funeral homes, who carry on the tradition of high quality funeral, burial, memorial and cremation services. Their privately owned and operated crematory ensures that loved ones never leave their professional care. Visit bisslerandsons.com to learn more.
February 4, 2025
There’s a lot to consider when looking for either your or your loved one’s final resting place, to the point that it can be easy to get overwhelmed. The decision only becomes more complicated when you’re met with unfamiliar vernacular. One choice you may have to make is between entombment or interment. But what exactly do those terms mean? And what’s the difference between interment and entombment?
February 4, 2025
When saying goodbye to someone you love, you have a multitude of decisions to make. Some you might be prepared for, while other questions are new to you. One topic that many people are unfamiliar with is the concept of burial vaults and grave liners, which you may have to have in your loved one’s final resting place.
February 4, 2025
Food not only nourishes the body but also comforts the soul, making it a significant part of funeral traditions. Offering food signifies care and supports the healing journey during such tough times.
January 8, 2025
When the time comes to think about funeral arrangements, one of the first questions many of us have is, "How much will it cost?" It’s natural to look for a straightforward answer during such an emotionally charged time. However, much like finding the perfect car, the cost of a funeral varies widely depending on personal choices and specific needs.
January 8, 2025
Embalming can be a controversial topic. Some people are opposed to it, whether due to personal or religious reasons, but for others, embalming is an important part of starting their grief journey and getting a chance to say goodbye to the person they love.
January 8, 2025
Attending a funeral is one of those things that makes everyone pause, not just because of the emotional weight, but also the big question: "What do I wear?" Let’s discuss.
January 8, 2025
When it comes time to say goodbye to a loved one, the focus of the funeral often naturally falls on the family. It's the people who loved and knew the deceased best—spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and even coworkers—who come together to remember and honor their life.
December 3, 2024
Did you know there are actually quite a few decisions to make beyond whether you choose burial or cremation? Cemeteries offer a wide variety of final resting places for you and your loved ones, but which one is right for you? When you choose a mausoleum, you still have another decision to make: Which type of crypt should you rest in?
December 3, 2024
When people lose a loved one, many take comfort in knowing that there’s a place they can go to be with them. Cemeteries offer a location where loved ones can gather to be with those who are no longer with them in everyday life. In many ways, choosing to be buried or interred in a cemetery is a gift for those still living as it gives them a place to find you, knowing that you’re never really too far away.
December 3, 2024
The loneliness that accompanies the death of someone we care about is complex and individual. For those who, for many years, woke every morning alongside a husband or wife, it is strange to open your eyes and realize you’re alone. In the early days of grief, the void that is left when a life partner dies can feel like a black hole with no way out.
More Posts
Share by: