In today’s society, pets play a much larger role in our lives and in our families. In fact, pets are considered to be family members and for some, pets are treated as if they were another child and equally loved. Because of this, there is a separate and specific industry that takes care of the needs of pets who have passed on to the Rainbow Bridge the place it is thought that all pets go after death. It is the place that pets can be reunited with other pets that have passed on and reunited with their masters when they pass on.
Pet Cremation and Pet Cemeteries
Pets have been cremated by special companies for years who work in conjunction with veterinary offices. The ashes are returned to the pet owner in an urn or decorative box that was chosen by the family at the time of the death or euthanasia of their beloved pet. Having your pet’s foot-print immortalized is also a service that is provided by the same companies who do cremation. There is even customized jewelry that can be ordered!
Some people have chosen to have a private ceremony when their pets have passed away. This is how important pets have become part of the family unit. When losing a pet, for some, it is the same as losing a person and a cherished family member. Veterinary offices are sensitive to this and send sympathy cards to clients who have lost a precious pet, some of which have been regular patients of the practice for up to 20 years. It is not unusual to see pet parents in obvious mourning when visiting a vet’s office.
Pet cemeteries have also come into existence exclusively for pets. This new concept in the veterinary sector has evolved through the same companies who have been cremating pets for years. Because of the need and the demand for this kind of service, it is becoming increasingly popular and pet cemeteries can be found in many locations, very similar in nature to that of human cemeteries.
Pet Funeral Homes – A Full Service
Not only are there pet cremations and pet cemeteries, but an entire industry has come into existence that offers a full-service funeral home for pets that have passed on. These operate similarly to that of human funeral homes. There is obviously a need for this service. Just as people mourn loved ones who have passed on, pets who have become family members are mourned in the same way. There are actual viewing times for friends and family, just as there are for people.
In addition, these pet funeral homes offer grief counseling because people go through the same stages of grief when they lose a pet as when they lose a cherished family member. It is amazing that there is a service like this to assist a family in mourning over the loss of their pet.