Most people feel strongly that their pets are as much a member of the family as the humans residing in the home. When a cherished pet dies, it can affect everyone in the household - it is normal to want to take time to confront and mourn the death, express your love, and say a final good-bye.
In fact, records show that pets have been buried as far back as 2,000 years ago. National Geographic states that the oldest known pet cat was found in a 9,500 year old grave on the island of Cyprus, buried with a human.
Making a decision to have a funeral can assist in the grieving process and help to commemorate your pet's life. If there are children in the household, a funeral can help them say good-bye to their pet. Many of us probably had little pet burials in the backyard as we were growing up - be it a fish, turtle, hamster, or parakeet.
If you should decide to have a funeral, friends who were familiar with the pet can be invited to attend. The funeral can be held in your home, the woods, or other place that will hold special meaning. You can play music, recite poetry, have devotional readings, or simply have several people talk about what the pet meant to them and how he/she will be remembered.
Some people may prefer to conduct a memorial service instead of a funeral, or perhaps have both a funeral and memorial. The following ideas may be helpful if you choose to memorialize your pet:
organize a special area of your home to display memories of your pet - photographs, pet toy, pet blanket
write a poem or draw a picture that shows the love for your pet
honor your pet with friends and family by sharing fond and joyful memories that your pet gave to your life
make a donation to an animal shelter or humane society Because many people think of their pet as a very real part of the family, the loss of a pet and bereavement can feel just as difficult as losing a relative. Choosing to have a funeral or memorial for your pet can help to celebrate your pet's life and provide a meaningful way to say good-bye.
Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet's death? CLICK HERE [http://www.petlosshelp.info] or go to: [http://www.petlosshelp.info] to get more tips and relief in coping with your pet loss.
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