Is it better to cremate or bury a pet?
Deciding on either dog cremation or burial generally comes down to personal circumstances and preferences. Owners generally consider factors including the cost of a dog cremation, availability of yard space for a burial, and if they are likely to move house in the future.
What Is Pet Aftercare?
Pet aftercare is a broad term referring to the physical handling of a pet’s remains after their death. It usually refers pet burial and/or cremation — the two main methods for caring for a pet after death, but it can also include the creation of commemorative items such as headstones and memorials. Regardless of which method a pet owner chooses, the purpose of pet aftercare remains the same — to give the owner the chance to say goodbye in a loving and respectful way.
When it comes to deciding whether to bury or cremate a pet, there is no right or wrong decision. Both options come with pros and cons, complications and advantages. Rather than looking at which choice is objectively better, try to look at the decision from a personal standpoint. Which makes more sense for you, your family and your pet?
To help you make this difficult choice, let’s lay the options out, side by side.
Is it Legal to Bury my Pet in my Backyard?
As a general rule, you will have to own the property you plan to use, but regulations for at-home burial vary by state and municipality. There are several factors, such as how the animal died, the depth of your water table, and the type of soil you have that may play a part in whether you can bury at home. You should always ensure that the burial site you choose complies with property lines and utility easements, and zoning requirements. Before you decide whether to proceed with a home burial, you should confirm legality by contacting your local city or county. You should also check your neighborhood deed restrictions.
Is it better to cremate or bury a pet?
Dealing with the loss of your beloved pet is an unimaginably difficult process to go through. You often need to make the difficult decision of whether to bury or cremate your pets at this time. With the often overwhelming grief associated with your loss, it becomes tough to make the right decision for your pet. Seeking the consultation of experts in the aftercare field of pets becomes crucial.
Burying and cremating are two of the most common options for pet aftercare. There are several pros and cons to consider to make the right decision for you and your family. Every pet owner needs to understand their options and their related obligations fully. As a result, the decision-making process for the aftercare of your beloved pets becomes a lot easier.
The decision between burying or cremating differs from one person to the other. There is no right answer to what exactly you should be doing. Individual preferences vary among people regarding the aftercare option for their pets. So, let’s discuss the pros and cons of each method.
One of the important features you must consider when deciding on the aftercare option for your beloved pet is mobility. It is possible to take the remains of your adored pets should you move. The feature of mobility lets you have better flexibility over your pets’ aftercare.
Burying offers no flexibility should you move in the future. When you bury your pets in a cemetery or at home, that place becomes their permanent abode. You cannot simply take your pet with you if you have to change your location after some time.
On the other hand, cremation gives you mobility. You can take the urn with you wherever you go. This means you can take your pet’s ashes with you. Even when you move houses or change your location, you can take them with you wherever you go.
The environmental impact of your pets’ aftercare is an important determining factor. You need to consider several important environmental factors when making your decision. These key elements will significantly impact the decision-making process for the aftercare option for your pets.
Burying your pets can have certain environmental disadvantages. It is dangerous to pets and wildlife when burying your pet in your backyard, and there may also be some legal procedures involved depending on your judicial system. Moreover, the dangerous nature of euthanasia drugs seeping into the waterways has a negative environmental impact and puts wildlife at risk.
In contrast to that, cremation does not leave such negative environmental impacts. It does not put the wilderness around it at risk. You can scatter your pet’s cremains s or carry them with you in your choice of urn without putting the environment at risk.
There is no fixed answer to the aspect of sentimental considerations. This will differ from one pet owner to the other. Some people may be more sentimental about keeping the last remains of their beloved pets with them, while others may prefer a final closure. So, this element ultimately depends on individual preferences.
The process of burying makes the burial place a fixed abode for your pets. As mentioned before, you cannot take the last remains of your pets with you when you move. So, if you are a person who is more sentimentally attached to the memory of your pet, burial may not be the best option for you.
When you cremate your pets, you can carry your pet’s ashes wherever you go. You can keep them inside your house or workplace wherever you prefer.
Naturally, the cost of either option will likely be a major determining factor in making a decision. Make sure to be fully aware of the price for both options. Your decision-making will become simpler t when you know the cost comparison between cremation and burial.
There are many different elements that you need to pay for individually in the burial process. This may be different if there are fixed burial systems near you for your pets. However, in burial, you have to keep in mind the cost of the grave plot, fee for basic service, casket, headstone, etc.
In comparison to burial, cremation is a more affordable option. People choose to cremate their pets because they perceive it to be cheaper. There may be cremation services available near you. It excludes the added cost of many different elements like the burial procedure. The cost of cremation and urn will be your direct cost of cremation.
As pets are seen as part of the family; religion can come into play when choosing to cremate or bury their pet.
Many religions around the world choose cremation as the preferred option, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Lutherans and Anglicans.
However, other religions such as Islam, Mormon and Orthodox Jews condemn cremation and prefer the body buried in the earth.
There are no correct or incorrect choices to bid your pet a final goodbye. It is a very sentimental decision, which can be difficult for pet owners. However, with the correct information, knowledge and guidelines, this difficult task can be simplified significantly. No matter your decision, you should be fully informed about the selected option.
Before making the decision, advise your consultant of your preferences. It is important to balance the odds. You should make a decision that is easy for you to conduct both emotionally and in other relevant ways previously mentioned. Ensure that you consider the environmental impacts if your pet is euthanised. In addition, get in touch with the proper channels to make a better decision.
Saying goodbye to your beloved pets is never easy. But it can be a lot less difficult when you understand whether to bury or cremate your pets. There are no correct answers to the debate between burying or cremating.
In conclusion, a better understanding and awareness of your aftercare options for your pet can significantly help you in these difficult times.
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