Guidelines for Proper Pet Burial

Assess Your Pet's Condition. Check for vital signs and observe for any signs of life. Your pet might still be alive but in distress. Contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance on the next steps.

• If your pet is still breathing, take them to an emergency vet nearby.
• The best area to check for a pulse in a dog or cat is the inner thigh, near where the leg connects to the body. Look for the femoral artery and use two fingers (not the thumb) to feel for a pulse. Detecting a pulse in a cat may be challenging.
• If you detect a pulse, have someone time 15 seconds while you count the beats. Multiply the count by 4 to determine the beats per minute. Your vet may require this information.

Take prompt action. The body will begin decomposing rapidly, usually within a day, so it's essential to bury it promptly. If you need to keep the body at home temporarily, there are steps you can take to delay decomposition.

• You can wrap the body and place it in the refrigerator, but it's still crucial to act quickly. Alternatively, you can place the body in the freezer to prolong decomposition.
• If neither option is feasible, leaving the body uncovered on concrete can help dissipate heat.

Inform relevant individuals. Amidst your grief, you might overlook notifying certain individuals. For example, it's crucial to inform children who were absent when the pet passed away. Additionally, finding an appropriate way to communicate the news to young children in the household is important.

• When explaining to children, avoid using vague terms. Instead, directly inform them of the pet's death and provide simple explanations. For instance, you could say, 'Sweetheart, I have some sad news. Our pet Kitty passed away today. This means that she stopped breathing and her body no longer moves. She will not return to us.'
• Allowing the child to view the body, albeit partially covered or accompanied by a beloved toy, can help soften the impact.
• Address any inquiries from your child with honesty and clarity, acknowledging when you don't have an answer. Prepare for various expressions of grief, ranging from writing letters to needing extra affection.

Facilitate closure for other pets. Allowing your other pets to see, sniff, and engage with the deceased pet's body can aid in their closure process. This exposure may reduce the duration they spend searching for the departed pet after burial.

Familiarize yourself with local regulations. Understanding the laws concerning pet burial on private property is crucial. While burying pets in public areas like parks is generally prohibited, certain jurisdictions may permit burial on personal property.

• Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for insight into local regulations.
• If uncertain, consider reaching out to the local police department for clarification.

Select an appropriate burial location. Upon determining the permissibility of burying your pet on your property, you can decide on the burial site. However, alternative options such as pet cemeteries or cremation facilities are also available in many areas.

• Consult your veterinarian or search for pet cemeteries in your vicinity.
• Cremation services may be offered by veterinary hospitals or independent facilities.
• Be aware of the distinction between individual and group cremation, as individual cremation incurs additional costs.

Check for Underground Utilities. Before digging in your yard, it's essential to inquire about any buried utility lines to avoid accidental damage, which could lead to complications.

Assess Location Factors. Selecting an appropriate site involves considering various factors. Opt for a high, dry area for natural decomposition. Ensure the location is downhill from wells and at least 50 feet away, preferably 100 feet, from bodies of water such as ponds and rivers. Avoid shallow bedrock areas to prevent contamination during decomposition.

Prepare Your Pet for Burial. Begin by placing your pet in a sturdy plastic bag, followed by a suitable box for containment, preferably wood or metal. Optionally, decorate the box as desired.

• If natural decomposition is preferred, refrain from covering your pet. This method is suitable for pets that died naturally.
• For pets euthanized, covering is advisable to prevent environmental contamination.

Excavate the Burial Site. For larger pets, dig a hole at least 3 feet deep, possibly deeper depending on box size. Ensure sufficient width and length to accommodate the box. For natural decomposition, opt for a shallower grave, around 1.5 feet deep, with adequate soil coverage above the pet. In challenging soil conditions, above-ground burial is an alternative, with a soil mound of 18 inches covering the pet.

• Shallower graves facilitate natural decomposition.
• If soil is difficult to dig, above-ground burial offers a solution.

Inter the Box in the Earth. Gently lower your pet, enclosed in the box, into the prepared grave. Gradually cover the box with soil, compacting it as you proceed. In the absence of a box, lay your pet directly in the ground. Optionally, include cherished toys or flowers alongside your pet.

Commence a Ritual. Consider conducting a small ceremony to commemorate your pet. This may involve reciting a poem or delivering a brief eulogy. Lighting candles indoors in remembrance of your pet can provide solace. A funeral, albeit intimate, facilitates closure for you and your family.

• Reflect on customary funeral practices, such as sharing anecdotes or testimonials about your pet.
• Engage your children in the ceremony by allowing them to contribute poems, stories, or personal reflections about the pet.
• Alternatively, play your pet's favorite song or indulge in treats reminiscent of their preferences.

Adorn with Stones. Utilize stones to demarcate your pet's resting place and deter scavengers. Opt for decorative stones as markers or consider planting a rosebush in memory of your pet.

• Select an ornamental stone to serve as a memorial.
• Alternatively, cultivate a symbolic garden over your pet's burial site, such as a bed of roses.

Explore Alternatives. If burying the pet independently is impractical, certain options exist. Some locales permit placing the pet in a sealed trash receptacle after wrapping it in cloth or plastic. Alternatively, animal control agencies may offer collection services.

• Sanitation departments may also provide animal disposal services.
• While seemingly distressing, remember that your pet's essence resides in cherished memories, not the physical remains. Consider commemorating your pet with a memorial stone in your yard.

Select a Cemetery. When choosing from multiple options, consider various factors. Price, proximity to your residence, and dedication status are key considerations. A dedicated cemetery ensures perpetual use as a burial ground, even under new ownership.

Opt for Individual or Group Interment. Some cemeteries offer the choice between individual and communal burial sites. Group sites involve interment alongside other pets.

• Additional options may include graves, mausoleums, or crypts.
• In certain regions, group burial may be the sole option available.

Select a Burial Plot. Similar to traditional cemeteries, individual site selection typically involves choosing a plot in coordination with the cemetery management.

• Purchase the plot before the pet's interment or consider pre-purchasing one in advance.
• Be aware that some cemeteries impose annual maintenance fees for plot ownership.

Choose a Memorial Marker. Headstones are available, akin to those found in conventional cemeteries. Collaborate with the cemetery to select a suitable marker for your pet.

Consider Funeral Arrangements. Many pet cemeteries offer funeral arrangement services upon request. However, a funeral is optional and may be omitted due to personal preference or financial constraints.

• Each individual experiences grief uniquely. There's no shame in mourning the loss of a pet; it's a natural and valid process.
• Some pet owners opt for cremation instead of burial. Your veterinarian can provide guidance on this procedure. Similar to our human relatives, you can acquire a special urn to keep your cherished pet's memory alive.