Funerals for pets are becoming increasingly common. Pets very quickly become a valued member of the family, so when a pet dies the loss and bereavement can be very real, and very hard to cope with.

These days, with improved healthcare and longevity, someone may be middle aged or even older before they attend the funeral of a human family member. So the funeral of a pet bought in childhood, may be the first experience of the loss of a 'family' member.

Funerals for pets can be a traumatic time for a teenager, or younger child, who can never remember a time when the loved pet was not around. Teenagers have enough problems with their hormones (and with exasperated parents) and often they do not know how they are meant to feel. Usually, the "I know everything" bravado, hides a deep teenage insecurity and anxiety. They may be afraid to tell their parents how they are feeling, and unless their friends have pets or have gone through something similar, they may be afraid of being laughed at.

Funerals For Pets

So for all sorts of reasons, funerals for pets can be a time that brings family members closer together. A time of sharing the type of grief that is real enough, but which is a poor reflection of the grief that may be known later for a 'real' loved one or family member.

The type of funeral held for a pet may very much depend upon the type and size of the animal.

Experience tells us that the death of a dog can be the most traumatic, as a dog is often perceived to be the most faithful. It may also be of any size up to the size of a small adult, and that often brings its own expense when a funeral is considered.

Cats are often loved just as much, but a cat by its very nature is usually more independent. It's often said that whilst you can train a dog, you can't train a cat. It's the cat that trains its owner.

A bird, such as a budgie, is a lot smaller, but, although they are frequently untrained and can't be taken for a walk, their welcomming tweets are still missed.

Whatever your pet, and whatever its size, there are an increasing number of opportunities available for you.

Recently, there has been an increasing number of funeral directors who will quote for funerals for pets, and often there are pet burial grounds attached to cemetaries and pet crematoriums attached to crematoriums. There are also an increasing number of dedicated pet cemetaries and pet crematoriums springing up, together with memorial gardens where the ashes of animals that have been cremated can be scattered.

Funerals For Pets

The best starting point for funerals for pets in your neighbourhood would be to check the phone directories under 'animal services', 'animal funeral homes', 'animal crematorium', or 'animal burial grounds', and in many areas you will straight away find what you need. Failing that, just ask your nearest funeral director. Even if it is not something they do themselves, its sure to be something that they have been asked about many times, and they are almost sure to know who does funerals for pets in your area.