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Why do we bury our departed loved ones in a cemetery? A primary purpose is to provide survivors with an opportunity to grieve and gain a sense of closure. The cemetery is a place for the living as much as it is a place for the dead.
But what about when the dearly departed are not human – but our pets?
The Spanish city of Barcelona, with its dense population and limited privately owned land, will be investing in the establishment of the country’s first public pet cemetery. Set to open next year, this cemetery will offer both burials and cremations, catering to the estimated 7,000 pets that are laid to rest each year.
It is surprising that a city with 180,000 dogs, where 50% of families own a pet, did not already have a public pet cemetery. Until now, the service was only provided by the private sector. However, due to constant public demand, the municipal-funded initiative was sparked.
Public pet cemeteries have been around since the late 19th century. From London’s Hyde Park to New York’s Hartsdale pet cemetery to Paris’ Cimetière des Chiens, these spaces have provided a dedicated resting place for our beloved animals.
The reasons behind why people choose to bury their pets in a cemetery vary. It goes beyond basic hygiene and convenience. The burial and the presence of a gravestone offer emotional closure and honor the bond shared with the pet.
Just like the burial of people, the burial of pets is an intimate cultural practice that reflects the changing relationships between society and its cherished creatures. Historically, gravestones and epitaphs in Britain from the Victorian period to today reveal this evolving human-animal relationship. Pets were considered important friends in the 19th century, but by the early 20th century, they had become members of the family.
Modern Catalan relationships with animals will also be reflected in the epitaphs of Barcelona’s new cemetery. As our understanding of the bond between humans and animals deepens, we find new ways to mourn and commemorate that relationship. In fact, some jurisdictions now allow the co-burial of cremated animals and people, leading to changing funerary practices for both humans and animals.
The existence of pet cemeteries is a testament to the heartbreak and taboos around grieving for animals. The bond between a person and their pet can be just as strong and significant as their relationships with other humans. However, expressing grief for a pet is not always socially accepted.
Fortunately, organizations like the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center offer support and counseling for bereaved pet owners. As society becomes more accepting of the importance of human-animal relationships to our collective well-being, we see the emergence of rituals similar to those used to mourn the loss of human relationships.
While the new pet cemetery in Barcelona provides an opportunity to grieve, it may not be financially accessible to everyone. However, there are alternative ways to express grief and remember the important animals in our lives. Pet owners may choose to keep the cremated remains at home or scatter the ashes in a meaningful location. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries also provide platforms to commemorate the relationship and express grief.
Whether it’s a pet cemetery or another form of remembrance, there are many acceptable ways to honor and remember the cherished animals in our lives. As an awesome company offering various software development services, we understand the importance of catering to the diverse needs of our clients and their individual relationships with their pets. We strive to provide the best solutions to support their grief, memories, and continued connections.