PETA offers advice for the final hours and advises on funeral options
Stuttgart. When the animal roommate dies, it is a difficult time for the owner. Most of the animals were loyal companions, closest friends and family members for years. Sometimes life ends suddenly, sometimes there is a long history of illness before death. In addition to the grief, there are usually considerations that pet owners often want to take their time with: What should happen to the animal's remains? What options are there to bury your loved one with dignity? To avoid having to make hasty and ill-considered decisions in an emergency, pet owners should clarify these questions early on and, if helpful, write them down. The costs that may arise when burying the animal must also be taken into account in advance. PETA expert Björn Thun gives tips for making the final walk as dignified and organized as possible.
“Saying farewell to an animal family member is certainly one of the saddest moments in the life of a human-animal relationship. And yet in such moments, foresight is required. Because our dogs, cats and small animals depend on our help and support,” says Björn Thun. “It is important, on the one hand, not to leave the animals alone in their final hours and, on the other hand, to already know the options for the subsequent burial. This means there is less pressure to organize during the difficult time and you have the necessary freedom to grieve.”
There are the following options for burying animal companions:
Animal buried in your own garden
Nowadays, your own garden as a final resting place for your animal companion – if available – is very popular. In this case, there are a few things to consider, although it is generally allowed to bury animals in your own garden or on your own property. A look at the implementing regulation in the “Animal Byproduct Disposal Act” can be helpful. It's best for owners to check with their own municipality or city to find out what is allowed and what is forbidden, just to be on the safe side. Depending on the municipality and federal state, animals of a certain size and weight are exempt from being buried in your own garden. The basic rule is: The grave must not be located in a water protection area. The deceased animal companion must be buried at least 50 centimeters deep and must not have previously suffered from a reportable illness. Covering the body with a large rock before refilling the dug hole can prevent another animal from uncovering the grave. Burying remains in fields, meadows or forests is prohibited and can be punished with a fine of up to 15,000 euros.
Cremation – take the animal with you in the urn
However, many people don't have their own garden and still want to keep their deceased animal friend close by. In this case, cremation is an option.
Even if you move, the animal's ashes can be taken with you in an urn for the rest of your life. The cost of cremation in a pet crematorium varies greatly and varies depending on the size and weight of the animal. There is also the choice of whether the animal is burned alone or together with other animals. There are two options: Pet owners can choose to go through a pet undertaker. He picks up the deceased animal friend from the vet's office or from the pet owner's home and brings the ashes back after cremation. Or the owner can drive to an animal crematorium themselves and hand over the body of their animal friend on site. Pet owners have the opportunity to choose between different urns and choose the right one. Sometimes funeral homes also offer to make other memorabilia, such as a footprint of the animal friend in a frame.
Animal cemetery and cemetery forests
There is also the option of burying your animal companion in a pet cemetery. This is comparable to a cemetery for people and is already offered in some cities. There are costs for the grave and the burial of the urn. For many pet owners, a pet cemetery is a beautiful place that can be visited again and again and where the animal finds its final resting place.
Burial in a human-animal cemetery
At a human-animal cemetery, pet owners have the opportunity to be buried together with their animal companion when their time has come. There are only a few human-animal cemeteries nationwide, but the number is increasing as demand for them grows. In this case, too, there are costs for renting the grave and grave maintenance.
Carcass disposal facility
Veterinarians usually also offer to look after the body of the deceased animal. If the animal is not cremated, it may be taken to a rendering facility. The animals are mostly burned there too.
If animal companions are considered so-called farm animals, their bodies must, according to the law, be sent for animal recycling after their death. Collection is subject to a charge. Unfortunately, this process is extremely undignified and can be a traumatic experience for people. The bodies of pigs, sheep or goats are treated like objects and are not treated with respect like those of dogs, cats or horses. Animal recycling also means that the four-legged friends are processed into animal end products, i.e. food for other animals.
PETA wishes all pet owners a lot of strength in times of sadness and farewell.