Your Guide to Funeral Planning | 02.17.2023

How To Do A Home Pet Funeral?

How To Do A Home Pet Funeral?

Reviewed By: Scott Ginsberg

Cross Checked By: Joshua Sigel

Putting Together A Meaningful Funeral

Organizing your pet’s burial at home can be a meaningful way to say goodbye to your companion. Here are some steps you can take to plan a funeral for your pet at home:  

  1. Decide on the location: Choose a place in your home or yard where you and your family feel comfortable holding the funeral. This could be a spot where your pet loved to spend time or a place colored with special memories in a corner of your house. 
  2. Gathering materials: You will need a few basic items to hold the funeral, such as a small casket or a blanket to wrap your pet in, flowers, a casket and some equipment like a shovel to set up the burial spot. 
  3. Plan the ceremony: Decide on the type of ceremony you would like to have for your pet. This could be a simple informal gathering or a formal service of sorts. You can also choose to include music, poetry readings, and speeches made by close friends and family members to honor your pet. 
  4. Prepare the body: Depending on how you choose to bury your pet, you will need to prepare the body in a way that is respectful and safe. If you are burying your pet, you should wrap the body in a shroud or blanket and place it in a pet casket. If you’re planning on cremating the body, you can get in touch with companies that deal with pet cremation services or pet funeral services
  5. Take your time to grieve: The funeral is not only about saying goodbye to your pet but also taking your time to remember the happy memories you shared with them. Allow yourself to grieve and talk about your pet with others. 

How Does Organizing A Pet Burial At Home Help? 

  1. Personalization: Holding a pet burial at home allows you to personalize the ceremony in a way that feels meaningful and special to you and your family. You can choose the location, decorations, music and other elements of the ceremony that reflect the personality and memories of your pet. 
  2. Privacy: Pet burials at home allow you to mourn and say goodbye in a private setting, surrounded only by those who are closest to you. This can provide a sense of comfort and closure as you begin to heal. 
  3. Cost-effective: Depending on where you live, pet funeral services can be expensive. Organizing your pet’s funeral at home can be more cost-effective than using a commercial service and you can go about the ceremony in the way that suits your needs. 
  4. Emotional support: Being surrounded by your loved ones in a familiar setting can help you heal in a difficult time like this one. The funeral can be a way for you to come together as a family and share your memories. 

About Pet Burial Laws 

Laws regarding pet burial and home funerals can vary depending on the location. In general, it is legal to bury a deceased pet on your property in the US but there are specific regulations that you will have to keep in mind. This could be regarding the depth of the burial and the type of coffin that needs to be used. To be sure of what you need to do next, check with your local government to learn about any laws and regulations that apply in your area. 

You should also consult with your veterinarian to understand if the pet is free of any contagious diseases or if he/she needs to be buried with chemicals applied on the body. 

An Intimate Goodbye

Pet funerals are a way for you to personally care for and say goodbye to your furry friend. You can have an intimate and private setting and spend time with your loved ones; cherishing the memories that you shared with your pet. Organizing a pet burial at home requires you to have the right equipment. You can find a secure casket on our website for your pet's funeral needs. Home pet burials are a meaningful way to honor the life of your beloved pet and provide closure to the pet owner and their family.