Pet Funerals- Why A Ceremony Gives Closure To Owners…

Yesterday morning, my twin sister Cindy Daniel sent a text that she had found the pet Guinea Pig I had bought the twins 3 years ago dead. 

 Since one of the twins were home sick and the other (and far more emotional) twin at school, I decided to compose a quick prayer for Charlie and buy items to bury him with in the backyard.

Makenna (who was home sick) decided to add a carrot and rose to Charlie’s box and sing “In The Arms Of An Angel” as Cindy and I dug up a portion of the yard under a tree for Charlie.

Cindy had posted on FB about losing Charlie and received an overwhelming response from our friends regarding how emotional losing a pet was for them.  One even described how losing a beta fish had upset her so much that she couldn’t bury it and cried all day at work knowing her mom was coming over to bury the pet for her after work.

It’s not well known that I often perform memorials or celebrations of life at funerals for people AND pets.  However, understanding the need to say goodbye to a pet by having a ceremony is key for the owner to move on after mourning their loss.

My husband, Matthew Wortham lost a dog years ago and still cries over the loss today.  Love is love and whether your pet was a cow, fish, dog, horse or Guinea Pig- you will miss the presence of having them in your life.

Cindy’s home is normally “pet free” due to her trying to keep up with two adult daughters, three granddaughters and her husband living at home but I bought the pet to give the twins experience at caring for a pet not knowing my brother in law, Steve Daniel would be “smitten” with Charlie by going to the grocery store to buy special treats and preparing them every weekend when he came home from his job driving at Ryder.

My sister was worried that Steve would miss Charlie so much that I purchased another Guinea Pig to replace the loss which Cindy named Stinky because he looks like a skunk.

Replacing a pet is often a bad idea for someone who is in a state of mourning but for my sister, knowing the void that Charlie would leave- I’m sure she made the right decision by replacing Charlie.

My husband has often said he never wanted another pet that might die but Foxy Wortham quickly changed his mind. 

Our hyperactive Beagle is always into something around here and can jump 4 feet to grab whatever you have that he wants but he also brings joy to our home now that we no longer have kids here.

Slumber parties with the twins keep Foxy busy and excited since he loves the twins and has grown up with them in his life. 

  

  

  

  

 Although some may think a pet funeral is unnecessary, remember that whoever the pets owner was probably doesn’t feel that way.

Don’t be too quick to judge someone who wants a “proper burial” for their pet because that pet was a part of their life and brought them joy.

For those who wish to cremate their pet, the average cost of cremation can run between $50-$150 but you will need to bring a vessel or buy one for your pet.

If you need a Celebrant to officiate your burial, please contact me through this site.  If you have no money, please visit my sister site The Pawning Planners- We Take Trades For Event Services.

Wendy M Wortham