Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

Losing a pet is a devastating ordeal to go through, whether the loss was planned through a scheduled euthanasia or a sudden and unexpected bereavement. The death of a pet is often felt like the loss of a family member or close friend since these are roles our beloved pets' frequently uphold in our lives. They share both our pain and joy and stand by us through every triumph and heartbreak and their loss leaves behind an emptiness which words cannot begin to describe.

It can be difficult to decide on the best way to lay your pet to rest, especially through the foggy haze that often accompanies loss; we will cover some of the main funerary options, as well as the different ways you can commemorate your pet and their importance in you and your family's life.

Funerary Options

The beginning of your pet's journey across the rainbow bridge also holds the decision that will influence how you and your loved ones will commemorate the life of your pet for years to come. The main options for pet funerals are:

• burial
• cremation
• aquamation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis) - a water based alternative to fire cremation.
• recomposition (also known as terramation) which allows your pet's body to break down into soil
• donating your pet's body for research for the greater good

Burial

With pet burials, there are a couple of different options that may suit you and your family better than others. In terms of location you can choose to either have your pet buried on your own property or in a pet cemetery.

Pet cemeteries are a good option for those who live in apartments or where home burials are not allowed, but keep in mind that these cemeteries will likely have burial charges and regular upkeep fees that will need to be arranged beforehand, ranging anywhere from around $400 to $1000, depending on the location of the cemetery, the size of your pet being buried and whether you choose a private or communal burial plot.

When choosing a home burial for your pet something to keep in mind would be any location specific rules or laws in your area regarding the burial of deceased animals. Here are some burial laws that are generally in effect regardless of location, but always double check before fully deciding on a home burial.

• Property ownership: You must own the property where you intend to bury your pet. If you are a renter, you must get explicit permission from the landlord.
• Required depth: The burial hole must be deep enough to prevent other animals from scavenging the remains. While regulations vary, many areas require a minimum depth of 2 to 5 feet, depending on the size of the animal.
• Distance from water: The burial site must be located a specified distance away from water sources like wells, streams, or floodplains. This prevents contamination from decomposing remains or euthanasia drugs.
• Permitted materials: Many areas require that the pet be buried in a biodegradable container, such as a wood casket, cardboard coffin, or a favorite blanket.
• Contagious disease: If a pet died from a contagious disease, home burial is typically prohibited to prevent the spread of the illness.
• Local permits: Some municipalities may require a permit or notification to the local health department before a home burial can commence.

Whether choosing a pet cemetery or home burial as your pet's resting place, some form of a casket will need to be chosen for them to reside inside. You and your family can take a great deal of creative liberty in the design of your pet's casket; choose from simple or elaborately designed caskets generally ranging in price from $50 to over $1000 depending of the level of detail involved. A more cost-efficient and craft-forward casket option is finding a box large enough for your pet to rest comfortably in from around your house and designing the outside personally. If none of these options feel right for your fur baby, choosing one of their favorite blankets to wrap them in before burial is always a respectable option as well.

Cremation

Cremation is another option you can choose when helping your pet cross the rainbow bridge, generally there are 3 different types of cremations available but this can vary by crematorium and should be verified beforehand. When looking for a crematorium, it is recommended to find a company that has a membership with the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), which has a strict code of ethics and standards.

• Private pet cremation: Your pet is cremated individually in a private chamber. Depending on the policies of the crematorium, you may be allowed to attend and observe, if you wish. This is the most expensive option, but your pet's ashes will be returned to you. Private cremations, being the most expensive, range in price from $100 to $450 depending on the size and weight of your pet. In Germany, you can expect to pay €350 - 700+ for an individual cremation.
• Individual pet cremation: Your pet is placed in a cremation chamber with other pets, separated by partitions. An attempt is made to keep your pet's ashes separate and return them to you, but there will likely be some mixing with ashes from other pets. This option tends to be less costly than a private cremation but is not always available. In Germany, you can expect to pay €250 - 500+ for an individual cremation.
• Communal pet cremation: Several pets are cremated together with no separation. This is the most affordable option, but you won't get your pet's ashes back. Some crematoriums will spread the ashes from communal pet cremations in a memorial garden or special area, which you may be allowed to visit. Communal cremations generally range from $45 to $200 depending on the size and weight of your pet. In Germany, you can expect to pay around €150 - 300 for a communal cremation.

A few things to keep in mind when deciding on your pet's funerary rites; not all pet cemeteries and crematoriums have the ability to come to your house or vet clinic in order to pick up your pet before their burial or cremation, so plan ahead and schedule transportation of your pet to the cemetery or crematorium in advance. Cremation services also do not automatically include urns or containers for your pet's ashes, but are frequently available for purchase at the crematoriums themselves.

Memorials

Commemorating the life of your pet after they've crossed the rainbow bridge is a beautiful and symbolic way to help keep their memory alive.

If you have decided to go forward with a burial for your pet, there are many different options for headstones to choose as a marker for their burial spot. With a variety of different stone types, shapes and designs as well as personalized engraving options, there's an option for everyone's fur baby, big or small.

In, addition to headstones, there are numerous other ways to mark the spot of your pet's burial such as;

• Planting a small flower garden
• Planting a tree
• Leaving their favorite toy on their headstone
• Setting up a rock garden
• Leaving a weather-proof photo of your fur baby

If you have decided to go forward with a cremation for your pet's funerary rites and will be receiving your pet's ashes afterwards, their ashes can be honored and commemorated in a multitude of ways like;

• displaying their ashes in an urn or ash box
• displaying their ashes in a bottle or glass piece
• scattering your pet's ashes at their favorite park or spot outside
• scattering ashes at a communal pet memorial garden
• having jewelry pieces made from ashes, fur or feathers
• keeping ashes in locket-style jewellery
• distributing the ashes between multiple vials, jewelry pieces, urns etc. to enable loved ones to also cherish your pet's memory
• creating a remembrance alter or shelf with ashes, photos, some of their favorite toys etc.

Another wonderful way to keep the spirit of your fur baby alive is to mark the day of their passing with an annual celebration of love in their memory. Setting out their favorite snack on their headstone or next to their ashes or photo, reflecting on some favorite memories of your pet and having a picnic at the burial site can help keep the memory of your pet alive in your heart forever.