Planning A Pet Funeral.

In planning a pet funeral there are a number of things to take into account.

Planning and participating in a pet funeral or memorial service can bring great satisfaction to those who mourn the loss of a cherished companion animal.

Such a service makes the fact of the death more real to the grievers, gives family members the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about the lost pet, and enables everyone to reflect on and acknowledge the important role the animal played in their lives.

A funeral is generally held within a few days of death and may consist of a viewing, a formal service and a brief rite at the grave side. The atmosphere is usually somber and sad, and the emphasis is on death, mourning and loss.

A memorial service, on the other hand, may be held at any time after the death, and its function is to remember and to celebrate the loved one's life. Oftentimes the mood is more positive and uplifting.

A service for a much loved pet can be as small and private or as open and elaborate as you wish, and a memorial service can be delayed as long as its planning requires. Keep in mind, however, that having the service closer to the time when your loss is most deeply felt is when it is most likely to help you and your family express and work through your grief.

Here are some points you may wish to consider when planning a pet funeral.

Take some time to plan what you'd like to do. Involve all family members (including children) and others who may be willing to help you.

Consider whether you want to hold a funeral, a memorial service or both.

Given your religious beliefs, traditions and rituals, do you want to include any religious aspects, or would you consider them inappropriate?

Think of ways the service can be personalized. Ask family members and friends who knew your pet to reminisce with you and recall what was special about your pet.

Decide who will hold the service, where and when it will be held, who will speak and who will be invited to attend.

If you're working with a representative of a pet cemetery or crematory, ask if you can view your pet beforehand and hold the service then.

Find out what other grieving pet owners have done to honor their pet's memory, think of ways you can adapt their ideas, and make them your own.

Know that it is both normal and healthy to use a funeral or memorial service to express your sorrow, proclaim your love and bid a final farewell to such a cherished friend.

There are also a number of different physical and non physical memorials that you can choose from.

If you choose cremation there are many different types of urn available which can be engraved with your pets name, dates, a personal message or even a photograph.
For a burial site you might want to have a headstone made of you might want to plant a tree or other plant on the site.
Online Pet Memorials also allow you to create a personalized memorial which you can add to as the years go by.

The main thing is the planning of the funeral and memorial for your pet and I hope that this information has been helpful to you.