To many people, pets are more than just fuzzy warm bodies to snuggle against; they are also friends who will curl in your lap or rest their heads on your thigh to ensure you that they’re there for you. When people leave you to solve their own lives’ problems, your pet will do its best to cheer you up with a dose of affection and even try to amuse you with some antics.
Sadly, these pets are mortal, and that is the heartbreaking truth. One day, your pet may get sick or simply pass away in its sleep. Thus, to make sure that your pet gets a portion of the affection it deserves, you need to make sure that you are prepared to bid it farewell in style. Organizing a pet cremation or keeping the ashes in a pet urn may be the best chance you get.
Pet Cremation
Unfortunately, not all pet owners may have access to pet cemeteries. Plus, not everyone may agree to settle their pets’ remains into the ground. Thus, another economical option for handling the remains of your pet is pet cremation. Pet cremation is very similar to cremating humans; once your pet is cremated, you may keep the ashes in a pet urn. For many, a pet urn is a better option than the cold distant ground since you can keep it anywhere around the house and choose its style. You can always have an urn that reflects your pet’s nature and looks good on your shelf. Plus, some companies allow you to customize your urn by adding your pet’s picture.
However, if you’re serious about pet cremation, you need to make sure that the urns you choose last for a very long time. You can choose between stone urns (e.g. ceramic), wood urns and metal urns. However, you should choose based on your budget and the climate of your city. For example, having a metal pet urn in a humid city will be a bad idea since moisture will corrode through the urn and reduce its lifetime.
Pet Burials
Pet burials are the most common choice for pet owners. Just like you would with a two-legged loved one, you can arrange for a small ceremony and then bury your pet. You can bury your pet in your back yard near its favorite spot under the sun. This is a popular choice because it makes sure that your pet is close by. Plus, it is more economical in comparison with most options.
However, though this is a very feasible option, some cities do not allow pet burials. Plus, with the high prices of mortgages and real estate properties, you can’t be sure that you’d stay at your home for a very long time. For these reasons, and to accommodate the needs of renters, some cities have pet cemeteries set up. These cemeteries offer pet owners a feeling of security and permanence. Plus, the surroundings of these areas are taken care of, so you can rest assured that your pet will have a nice place to rest until you meet again.
What You Should Do For Yourself
Before you start preparing for the final journey your pet will take, you yourself should be prepared in advance. Losing a pet isn’t easy for anyone, which is why you should make sure that you’re ready before finally bidding it goodbye. Here are some tips to help you prepare and heal a bit before carrying out your pet’s funeral:
- Embrace Your Pain – Though many will tell you that you’re acting silly or crazy to grieve over your pet, only you know how loving and caring it was to you. Only you know what it’s like to wake up every day to its warm welcome, play with it during the day, and then sleep with it snuggled against you. Delve into your emotions and avoid listening to others.
- Avoid Negative Emotions So that You Can Move On – When a pet dies, there are numerous emotions which you may feel at the same time. You may feel guilt for being away most of the time, denial because you can’t accept that your friend is gone, anger at the cause of your pet’s death, and depression for your loss.
- Talk About Your Pet – The more you talk about your pet and tell those who’d listen that you miss it, the more comfort you will find. Once you’re calm, you will be able to arrange for your pet’s final journey.
- Do Not Consider Replacements So Early – Welcoming a new pet into your life while you’re still grieving for your older one is never a good idea. You may be so consumed in grief that you will never give much attention to your new pet, thus you will unconsciously create a gap between both of you.
- Be Honest With The Children – If you have children who are just as attached as you, make sure to tell them the truth about your pet. Lying to them by telling them that it ran away or left you will keep their hopes up and even motivate them to start searching for them. Explain death in a simple way, but make sure that your kids know that their pet has gone to play with the angels.
- Calmly Decide How You Want to Handle Your Pet’s Remains – Though this is a very tough decision, only you can decide what to do with your pet’s remains. One of the easiest ways of handling the remains is by leaving your pet at the clinic for disposal. However, that isn’t the way you want for your best friend to go, which is why there are better ways of saying goodbye to your pet.
Final Words
Your pet always made you happy during its life, so the least you should do is make sure that it lies peacefully for eternity. Plus, don’t forget to have a small ceremony to allow yourself and others who loved your pet to bid farewell to it before you bury it or cremate it. However, remember – despite your attachment to your pet, always make sure to get the best option which you can afford because spending too much or too little will never help you come to terms with your pet’s demise.