By Admin
We’re often left traumatized after experiencing a pet loss at home. The death of our pets is no different than the death of a family member because they’re just that: a part of the family. It’s difficult to watch our beloved furry friends pass away in our homes.
It’s even harder to cope with it when the death was unexpected. However, either way, you’re now left with a decision to make. You need to decide how you’ll proceed with your pet’s remains.
During this time, your mind is not thinking clearly and your emotions are being pulled in several different directions. We understand what you’re going through. Below is a guide on the steps you should take immediately following the death of your pet.
This guide will help you throughout the process, ensuring that everything is done correctly and fitting to your desires. Continue reading below to learn more.
Call the Veterinarian
The first step that you should take is calling the veterinarian. Your veterinarian will have a lot of resources for you regarding the burial or cremation process. If you’re not sure how you want to deal with the remains yet or just need time to process everything, your veterinarian will hold the remains for you in a safe place until you’re ready to take action.
Your veterinarian will also be able to answer any questions that you may have regarding the next steps that you should take or what all of your options are. It’s always a good idea to start with the veterinarian first, and then decide which path you want to take.
Get the Answers You Need
In some cases of an unexpected death, you might be searching for answers. If this is true for your situation, then be sure to ask the veterinarian to do a necropsy. The necropsy will be able to give you some answers concerning your pet’s death.
If the cause of death isn’t discovered from the necropsy, then the veterinarian will take tissue samples and send them over to a lab where they’ll be further examined until you get the answers you need. Some pet owners like to have a funeral for their pet after their passing.
If this is the case, you can still have the necropsy done. Just let your veterinarian know that you’d like to have a funeral for your pet afterward, and they can perform a cosmetic necropsy. During a cosmetic necropsy, there will be minimal incisions made.
Plan the Burial
Your next step is to plan the burial. If you’d like to bury your pet, then you do have a couple of options. Living in a home means you can bury your pet in your own backyard or front yard. Before doing so, however, be sure to check with your local ordinances to ensure that you don’t bury him or her outside of your property lines and that it’s legal.
If you’re good to go, then this option could save you a lot of time and money. When creating the hole for burial, be sure to dig at least 3 feet deep into the ground or more. You’ll want at least 3 feet of dirt above your pet to keep other animals from digging up the remains.
If you don’t live in a house, then you can consider burying your pet in a local pet cemetery. If this idea doesn’t seem ideal to you, then you can ask family members or close friends who live in a house if they’d allow you to bury your pet in their yard. This way, you’ll have a place to visit your pet if desired.
Purchase a Headstone or Pet Memorial
If you do decide to bury your pet, then you should consider purchasing a headstone or pet memorial stone. They make these specifically for beloved pets that pass away. They’re a nice added touch to remember where your pet is buried, and it makes the burial site a bit more special.
You can have these customized to display your pet’s name and years of life. Do keep in mind that these can get a bit expensive, and we understand if you’re not able to spend the money on them. If this is the case, then consider taking a large rock or stone and placing it at the head of the grave.
It works just the same without needing to empty your pockets.
Consider a Cremation
Another option that you have is cremation. This option works well for those who don’t have a place to bury their pets. To find a pet cremation service, you can ask your veterinarian for references, and ask them questions to learn more about the cremation process as well.
When having a cremation done for your pet, be sure to ask for individual cremation. This ensures that your pet is the only one being cremated at the time and all remains will be his or hers. Once you have the ashes, you can place them in a pet urn for keeping in your home.
You can also consider spreading your pet’s ashes in his or her favorite park or somewhere else with sentimental value.
Remember This Guide When Experiencing a Pet Loss at Home!
If you’ve experienced a pet loss at home, then remembering this guide is going to help you get through the process. Remember that you have a couple of options to choose from, and you’re not obligated to do one or the other. Do what feels right to you and honors your pet in the best way possible.
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