Where do you bury your pets?

[Ithilgil]

When I was young, I had wanted to bury my turtles in our backyard, but my mom was really strict about not burying animals anywhere near our house. So, my poor turtles ended up in a garbage bag.

Later, we moved into an apartment and had hamsters, who also ended up in a garbage bag when they died. My fish, however, went down the drain.

Now, I'm not living with my parents, so they don't have a say in how I deal with my pets. But, I can't bury them in the backyard simply because the house I'm currently living in isn't mines.

I had thought of going to the nearby forest/park and burying them, but I don't think that's legal.

There is a pet cemetry in town, but it's rather pricy, especially since I would rather crement them (more expensive than a visit to the vet) then bury them (about as expensive as a visit to the vet).

However, since this is only a temporary home, I may not be living in this town when they pass away. My home town doesn't have a pet cemetery.

Fortunately, my boy and girls are still alive and biting, but I would rather have it planned out earlier so I wouldn't need to panic about this issue when they do meet their end.

So, I would like to hear some suggestions as to what I should do with their bodies when they die.

[mufasa]

Have you considered cremation? I buried Mufasa and Borat in the backyard, but my two cats who went over the Rainbow Bridge years ago were both cremated and we have their ashes in my husband's office.

[Paula]

A friend of mine actually has several of her chinchillas frozen, until she decides what she wants to do with them. It's a personal decision and entirely up to you. Personally, I'd consider cremation, which is pricey to do privately. Death and grief are a very personal thing, at least to me, so I'd say it's entirely up to you to do what you feel is most appropriate.

[madelineelaine]

I have burried all my pets in my backyard, under our big red maple tree. All my fish, and my hamster.

[Kelsie]

I wish I could give you better advice, but I always bury my pets in my yard. When my dog passed away I did bury him in a pet cemetery since I was just renting the house I was living in at that time and couldn't bury him there. When we left the state I always felt bad, kind of like I had just left him behind. Later on I was living in a condo for a while and during that time I cremated two of my rats who passed away. You are right cremation is expensive. Could you possibly start a small savings account and put a set amount away each month to cover the cremation charges when needed. Although hopefully your piggies will be with you for many years to come and you won't have to make any decisions

[MissJean]

I'm going to cremate my pets and have pretty urns for the ashes. I'm never parting with my animals.

[jm_1234]

One of my guinea pigs(Elmo) I had as a teenager is buried out on my mom's farm. He was the last of my herd before I moved out on my own about 11 years ago and I didn't get anymore until last year. My cat that passed away 2 1/2 years ago is cremated and on a shelf in my room in a gorgeous urn that looks like a statue. My husband wanted to spread her ashes out on my moms farm which is actually where we found her. She hated is out there and I couldn't stand the thought of having that be her final resting place when all she ever wanted was to stay with me. I am still really not over her passing even though it has been almost 3 years but it helps to see her urn everyday. I own my house but we are probably going to move in the next few years so I will be cremating any animals that pass in that time(hopefully none) and any future one that pass will be buried in the backyard of the new house. I would probably still get them cremated first though.

Wow, this thread made me kind of sad now

[Field-of-Dreams]

My dog was cremated and sits on my nightstand. He will be buried with me, as will any of the others who pass before I do. I also had my Mini mare's foal cremated, he was stillborn. At the time I had three piggies in the freezer, I just didn't know what to do with them. I didn't want to bury them, as I knew I wouldn't be living there forever. So, when Koda passed away, I had them cremated together with him. They set on my shelf in the spare room. They, too, will be buried with me.

Fortunately, when my Arab passed, we lived on a farm and he was buried there. I do regret he couldn't move with us when we moved to Texas, and I pray the new people leave his resting spot alone. There are others resting with him, a Mini mare, two dogs and a kitty. All have headstones, so hopefully the new and future owners will let them all rest in peace.

[Ithilgil]

Sorry, wrong spelling. I meant cremate, not cement.

[Ithilgil]

Actually, I wasn't really thinking of my cavies when I started this thread. They are still young, and as long as they don't get really ill or get into an accident, they won't die any time soon. My hamster, on the other hand, is already 7 months old, and the average hamster lifespan is 1-2 years.

I really want to do an individual cremation, but the price is $365.00 plus tax, regardless of the animal. A communal cremation is $35.70 plus tax, but I wouldn't be able to get their ashes back.

If my Leo passes away in the next three months or so, I really wouldn't have enough money for an individual cremation. I had already spent around $200 for my cavies' check up last week.

[madelineelaine]

actually, hamsters live more like 2-3 years. Mine lived 2.5 before becoming ill on good friday, when all the stores and vets are closed it was awful timing and I felt so helpless. Most of my friends hamsters have lived to 4 years.

[madelineelaine]

Mr. Moe was burried under the big red maple tree in a carboard tea box. We have a bunch of rocks placed around, as a grave stone.

[Ithilgil]

actually, hamsters live more like 2-3 years.

Most of my friends hamsters have lived to 4 years.

Really? That's good. Then I'd be able to spend more time with him. I got him when he was 6 months old. Actually, counting back, he's now 8 months old, not 7 months old.

[Wildcavy]

This thread makes me both sad but also joyful that people love their pets so much. I froze a bird a long time ago, when I lived in an apartment, until I was able to bury it at my folks' house (I carried it in a small cooler on to an airplane, believe it or not). We will have our piggies cremated. We have a very special owl statue, with a bowed head, who is called "Silence." He watches over my mother-in-law's ashes (she died a year ago today) and will watch over the ashes of my human and animal loved ones. I know their souls are elsewhere, but somehow it gives me peace.

[guineapigs2468]

My guinea pig I had quite a few years back now when I was younger was buried in my garden named frodo, along with two gerbils coffee and cream. I am not living in that house anymore and one of the hardest things when moving was realising that they were not coming with me.
In my new house my hamster unfortunately died at 2 and a half years old, storm her name was. Then my first guinea pig I had since frodo Emma, was pet shop bought and died within two weeks of having her. She didn't deserve to die I felt so helpless she had vet visits, but I think her being so young, she put up a good fight. R.I.P all of them I loved them all so much.
I wanted to share this as I had all of my animals buried, but I think maybe freezing them so you can bury them or cremate them in your own time. When the time comes. That way if you can't afford it at the time, this should make it easier for you.

[guineapigs2468]

Sorry about my long post, for some reason my paragraphs don't come through on my iPad.

[LitaRutherford]

I've already decided that mine will be cremated, no exceptions. We had rabbits that died who were burried in the back yard per my mother's request. But I've already decided when any of my six go (which I hope will not be for many years to come) I will make sure I can always have them with me.

[macysmom]

All the small pets from my childhood are buried in my parents yard. I hope no one ever goes digging around back there, as even wild lizards, frogs, birds ect ended up back there if we found them. Pet cemetery. Our 2 family dogs have been cremated and then my sister and I each had false diamond pendants made out of the ashes, the ashes were spread out, one at the ranch and one over the bay. My first horse was buried, but I saved some tail hair and had a bracelet made. Being able to keep little pieces like the pendant and the bracelet give me the piece of mind of still having them w/me.

[LitaRutherford]

Thats such a neat idea macysmom! And so sweet as well. I didnt know you could have false diamonds made of ashes.

[macysmom]

cremationsolutions.com is the company we used. I was just checking out the other cremation jewelry on there and they have some beautiful stuff. The diamonds have really gone up, they used to be half that pice, but the crystal stuff is new and really nice too.
They have a pet specific area of jewelry, but only cat and dog