Pets in peace: Burial options when we lose our furry friends

This topic is one that no pet owner wants to approach, but it is a reality we will eventually have to face nevertheless. Unfortunately, there will be a time when our pets have aged into their senior years, their bodies are overcome with disease or illness, or their life is cut short by an accident or injury.
My intention is to provide information and resources for when the time comes to say goodbye to our beloved companions and let them pass on. The mere thought makes my stomach turn, and I keep looking at Willis, J.J. and Zoey lying on the couch with me, napping. I can’t help myself from checking their torsos to see their tummies go up and down as they breathe. Yep, everyone’s vitals appear to be in working order. My mind drifts to the “what if” or the “when the time comes” as I write.

When pets pass away, many pet lovers refer to it as going to the “Rainbow Bridge.” This is based on a poem by an anonymous author that tells a story wherein the souls of the pets that have passed go to a place just outside of heaven called the Rainbow Bridge. There, they feel no pain, there is no sickness and they run and play like they did when they were healthy. They wait there, until their owners’ time on Earth is done. Then, the owner and the pet meet again and cross the Rainbow Bridge to enter heaven together. Hokey? Maybe. Yet, it brings comfort to many, giving them the belief that they will be with their furry companion again to start their afterlife together.

Before paradise, what do we do? The options that are available are similar to those of humans. In St. Louis there is not an abundance of pet cemeteries, but there are a few. There are also a few crematoriums should a pet owner choose cremation. These establishments interact with the staff at veterinarian offices, since they, too, are part of this painful phase. The fees start at an average of $175 and go up from there based on options added. The pet cemeteries and crematoriums sell caskets, stone monuments, grave markers, urns and boxes (made of wood, brass, marble, ceramic, bronze and much more), jewelry made to contain some of the pet’s cremains, and many other memorial items. Another commonality is that everyone I spoke to at these places was compassionate and aimed to be as comforting as possible. This I much appreciated.

There are pet cemeteries in Fenton, House Springs, Florissant and Valley Park. These properties are beautiful with green grass, tall trees, colorful flowers placed on gravesites and peaceful scenery. All provide 24-hour pick-up service and the option to hold a graveside service with family members. They come to pick up the pet from the owner’s home or veterinarian’s office.  Memory Park in Valley Park has six private acres that accommodate 2,500 pets at this time. Friends of Imperial Crown Pet Cemetery in Florissant is known to be the oldest pet cemetery in the area. There is a small chapel area indoors for an open casket viewing and service for each pet. Forest Lawn Pet Cemetery is located in House Springs and depicts a more rural aura. Memory Garden in Fenton shares its property with the owner’s home, her kennel business and a quaint gazebo for pet owners to sit and share a spiritual connection with their deceased pet.

The crematoriums I contacted were the ACS (Animal Care Services) in Festus and Heartland in St. Louis City. These also provide 24-hour pick-up service from the pet owner’s home or veterinarian’s office, or the pet owner can bring the pet to the crematorium. With advance notice, the pet owner can watch the process of the cremation if they choose. The cremains of the pets are returned in less than a week. The pet owner may have the cremains delivered to their home or veterinarian’s office to be picked up, or they can pick them up directly from the crematorium. They can then place the plastic bag into the memorial container of their choice and scatter them at the pet’s favorite spot or whatever they want.

Like I said, it’s a tough topic to cover. In fact, I cried most of the way through with empathy for those that have gone through the loss of their pet. I am so thankful, though, that there are places in our city that are available to put our pets to rest with dignity and grace. All are committed to aiding us in keeping our pet’s memory alive and know that these are not just pets, but family members. Given these resources and options, I think I will make decisions in advance as to what will be the best way to maintain the memory of my beloved companions.

Please visit www.rainbowsbridge.com for that beautiful poem.  I hope it brings you a sense of peace and comfort as it has for so many.

You can e-mail Rachel at Rachel_pelzz@hotmail.com.