Choosing a Pet Cemetery
Many people may wish to bury their pet once they have passed on, but cannot do so in their own garden. This could be due to them not owning the property, concerns over moving house or simply not having the space. Pet cemeteries are a great alternative and can have a great number of advantages. Usually, pet cemeteries will carry out the burial for you and the area is designated for pet burials, therefore this space can be specifically for remembrance. Pet owners will be placing a large amount of trust in the cemetery they choose; therefore, it is highly important to take the time to look carefully and choose what is best for their situation.
Location
Location is the first aspect to consider. Think about how far you will be willing to travel. If you plan on visiting your pet’s grave regularly, accessibility will be an important factor for you. When searching for a pet cemetery, it may be a good idea to set yourself a radius of the maximum distance you are happy to travel. If you will be relying on public transport, you will also want to ensure the cemetery is close to a bus stop or train station. Another consideration will be future plans. If you know you are planning to move away from the area in the future you will want to take this into account. There are many pet cemeteries dotted around the UK so there are plenty to choose from.
Cemetery Policies
Another important factor will be the pet cemetery’s policies. If you will be planning on visiting your pet’s grave, you will want to check the visitation policy. Not all pet cemeteries will grant you full access at all times, which can be disappointing if you feel the need to visit your pet. Pet cemeteries will also often charge annual maintenance fees which contributes towards the upkeep of the site and your pet’s grave. Make sure to check how much it will be, if this cost will change over time and if there will be any other fees you will be expected to pay. Finally, it might be worth asking the owners of the cemetery what their succession plan is for the future. You will need to bear in mind what would happen if the cemetery was to close.
Burial Services
There are several different types of burials and services that may be offered. Firstly, most cemeteries will allow the burial of pets or your pet’s ashes and can use a pet coffin or pet ashes casket. This can either be a communal burial or private. Some pet cemeteries allow you to have a family plot where your pets can share a space. There are also two types of burial, both looking very different. A formal burial will be where each grave is a marked plot and will often feature headstones and trims. This will look more similar to a traditional human cemetery which we may be used to. A green burial takes a much more natural approach. It will usually be in a more natural setting such as a woodland and oftentimes headstones will not be permitted, some using shrubs or small plaques as markers instead. The pet coffins used must be made from natural materials to ensure it is biodegradable, wooden or plastic pet caskets are usually not allowed. This is a more environmentally friendly alternative.
During the burial itself you will be offered to attend or not. If you choose not to attend, some sites will send you photographs of the burial at an additional charge. Some will even organise a special pet service if requested. Check the facilities of the cemetery, as you may like an area designated to say your goodbyes. If you would like to bury the ashes of your pet, you may find that using a site that is also a crematorium is more straightforward. When looking at costs, you will find that the burial price will depend on the size of the pet and the type of burial you are after. Things such as organised pet memorial services and headstones will usually be additional charges, so may sure to look out what those prices are.
Instinct
The best way to get an idea of whether you like a site or not is to visit in person. The images on the website may look nice, but when you visit, it may have a completely different feel to it. You may find that your priorities change upon seeing different sites. Think about the things you need from the site; do you want to be able to have peaceful walks to reflect or do you want an elaborate headstone that you can lay whatever you like there. Seeing what other people have done in memorial may give you inspiration for what will work for you. Ask the owners questions, if they can’t or won’t answer, that may be a sign the answer isn’t something you’ll be happy to hear. Less information usually means information they don’t want to tell you. Pet cemeteries are unregulated so make sure they are a member of the APPCC (The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria) which sets a code of practice with high standards, or other industry associations. Take a look at genuine reviews online for the particular cemetery from other customers. This is usually telling of what it is really like to use that establishment. Take a look at the APPCC website for more information on regulation. To find a pet cemetery which is a member of APPCC, take a look at their directory.
There are many great pet cemetery organisations across the UK that really care about providing a service that is respectful and sympathetic. Their missions are to provide comfort and compassion to those who have lost pets, and they will often know what it feels like with many of them having lost pets of their own. Finding the right one for you will be personal and based on your individual needs, just make sure you give yourself the time to weigh up what is best for you.