FACING THE LOSS: The loss of a pet can be a very stressful life event & it’s natural & normal to feel sorrow. Grief for a pet (or pets of certain species) may not be fully respected by others & even well-meaning family & friends may not realize how important your pet was to you, or the intensity of your feelings. As with any major trauma, you may experience denial, sadness, anger, anxiety, & perhaps more commonly with pets, guilt (which is rarely warranted) over what you chose to do – or not to do. If you feel despair, please seek out an emotionally safe & accepting environment, consider hotlines, pet loss support groups, or professional counseling. *See Resources
BODY CARE and MEMORIALIZING. Just as the grieving process varies, so does how we choose to remember the pet that shared our lives. There are memories & photographs to cherish. Some wish to bury their pet at home* or in a pet cemetery. Some choose cremation, & may - or may not- want the ashes back, to keep, or scatter.** Some owners want to stage a formal, or more commonly, informal, funeral. Or, make memorial contributions to a charity to honor their beloved pet.
**Ashes of communal cremations done through Final Gift's Cranston office are now being donated to a company that adds to other materials to restore and repair coral reefs.
*If contemplating HOME BURIAL: No state laws prohibit burial on your property, but there may be local or ordinances prohibiting. First, consider how long you will likely live there. If /when you do sell the property, you are required to disclose. Euthanasia drugs are toxic to humans, other animals including protected species, so you could be legally liable for toxic exposure. The grave should be a minimum of 4 feet deep, and not near public / private water supplies (esp. wells) 'DIG SAFE', (call 811 for utility line info - may take 2-3 days to confirm). What many people don't consider, is what the pet is wrapped or placed in - if anything. Unless you use a pet 'burial bag' (and there are several types) most recommend wrapping in a thin layer of degradable, 'organic' material, like cotton or linen - no synthetic materials/ fabric, no pet beds. no plastic or canvas. If placed in a box, it should be cardboard or minimally treated wood.