For centuries, humans have buried their loved ones in cemeteries, providing survivors with an outlet for grief and a sense of closure. But what about when the departed are not human - but our pets?
In Spain's Barcelona, the first public pet cemetery is set to open next year, offering both burials and cremations. The move comes as a surprise, given that 50% of families in the densely populated city already own a pet. However, this lack of provision for pet owners was a clear indication of their desire.
The establishment of pet cemeteries has been around since the late 19th century in Europe and North America. Britain's first public pet cemetery appeared in London's Hyde Park in 1881, followed by New York's Hartsdale pet cemetery and Paris' Cimetière des Chiens in the late 19th century.
Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology, stumbled upon this history while researching a centuries-old house in Toronto. He discovered that a large dog was buried behind the family home between 1840 and 1870. The dog's ailments had progressed to a point where it received care during its final weeks before being buried.
This elderly dog led Tourigny to wonder about the different ways people interact with their pets' bodies after death. Could this behavior reflect the relationships they held with animals in life? Why take the time to bury a dog when other, arguably easier options existed?
Historic gravestones and epitaphs in Britain from the Victorian period to today show a changing human-animal relationship. In the 19th century, pets were mostly considered important friends, with gravestones dedicated to "loving friends" or "devoted companions." By the early 20th century, pets had become members of the family - evidenced by the appearance of family surnames on gravestones and loving epitaphs written by "Mummy and Daddy."
Fast-forward a few decades later, and gravestones were more likely to reference reunions. The owners of Denny, a brave little cat buried in an east London cemetery in 1952, wrote on his epitaph "God bless until we meet again."
The connection that someone has with their pet can be just as strong and significant as their relationships with other humans. Yet, individuals continue to struggle to find the appropriate outlet for expression, hiding heartache for fear of social repercussions.
In recent years, charities like the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center have offered counseling to bereaved humans. The RSPCA reassures the public on its website that they should not feel shame for their grief.
The establishment of a new pet cemetery in Barcelona is an indication of society becoming more accepting of human-animal relationships. As we become more comfortable with the importance of these bonds, our funerary and commemoration practices will likely change to resemble those used for humans.
However, this opportunity to grieve may not be financially available to everyone in the city. The estimated cost of €200 ($217) per service at the new Barcelona cemetery is a barrier for many pet owners.
This will not be a space for all of the city's pets. Pet owners may opt to keep cremated remains within their home or spread out ashes in a meaningful location instead. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries also provide other opportunities to commemorate relationships and express grief.
Whether one chooses a pet cemetery or not, there are many acceptable ways to express your grief - and remember your relationship with the important animals in your life.
In Spain's Barcelona, the first public pet cemetery is set to open next year, offering both burials and cremations. The move comes as a surprise, given that 50% of families in the densely populated city already own a pet. However, this lack of provision for pet owners was a clear indication of their desire.
The establishment of pet cemeteries has been around since the late 19th century in Europe and North America. Britain's first public pet cemetery appeared in London's Hyde Park in 1881, followed by New York's Hartsdale pet cemetery and Paris' Cimetière des Chiens in the late 19th century.
Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology, stumbled upon this history while researching a centuries-old house in Toronto. He discovered that a large dog was buried behind the family home between 1840 and 1870. The dog's ailments had progressed to a point where it received care during its final weeks before being buried.
This elderly dog led Tourigny to wonder about the different ways people interact with their pets' bodies after death. Could this behavior reflect the relationships they held with animals in life? Why take the time to bury a dog when other, arguably easier options existed?
Historic gravestones and epitaphs in Britain from the Victorian period to today show a changing human-animal relationship. In the 19th century, pets were mostly considered important friends, with gravestones dedicated to "loving friends" or "devoted companions." By the early 20th century, pets had become members of the family - evidenced by the appearance of family surnames on gravestones and loving epitaphs written by "Mummy and Daddy."
Fast-forward a few decades later, and gravestones were more likely to reference reunions. The owners of Denny, a brave little cat buried in an east London cemetery in 1952, wrote on his epitaph "God bless until we meet again."
The connection that someone has with their pet can be just as strong and significant as their relationships with other humans. Yet, individuals continue to struggle to find the appropriate outlet for expression, hiding heartache for fear of social repercussions.
In recent years, charities like the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center have offered counseling to bereaved humans. The RSPCA reassures the public on its website that they should not feel shame for their grief.
The establishment of a new pet cemetery in Barcelona is an indication of society becoming more accepting of human-animal relationships. As we become more comfortable with the importance of these bonds, our funerary and commemoration practices will likely change to resemble those used for humans.
However, this opportunity to grieve may not be financially available to everyone in the city. The estimated cost of €200 ($217) per service at the new Barcelona cemetery is a barrier for many pet owners.
This will not be a space for all of the city's pets. Pet owners may opt to keep cremated remains within their home or spread out ashes in a meaningful location instead. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries also provide other opportunities to commemorate relationships and express grief.
Whether one chooses a pet cemetery or not, there are many acceptable ways to express your grief - and remember your relationship with the important animals in your life.
I mean, think about it, we have entire cities set aside for humans to die, but its all of a sudden okay for us to create special spaces for our furry friends too? The €200 price tag is def gonna be an issue for many families tho 
.
. And, honestly, who doesn't want to say goodbye to their furry BFFs in a fancy cemetery with flowers and everything? 
But, at the same time, I get why some people might not be able to afford it... €200 is still kinda steep for some budgets 
.
I gotta say, pet cemeteries are getting pretty popular 
. People really want to give their pets a proper sendoff, even if it's not as fancy as a human burial. The whole "50% of families in Barcelona already own a pet" thing is wild 
. Not everyone can afford to shell out that kind of cash.
. Maybe we'll see more cemeteries pop up and people will start talking about their grief in a more open way 
. Who knows, maybe one day pets will have their own version of gravestones that can be easily placed on the internet or something 
. It makes sense that people want to bury their pets or have some kind of memorial to remember them by.
The fact that there's a growing demand for pet cemeteries shows how much we value those relationships. I'm not surprised though, think about all the people who've lost their furry friends and struggled to find closure... or just felt silly crying over a dead cat 
or dog! Anyways, its awesome to see Barcelona taking this step towards becoming more accepting of human-pet relationships. It's time we celebrate those special bonds 
, especially considering how much people love their pets in barcelona. it's crazy to think that 50% of families already own a pet and there wasn't a proper space for them to grieve when they pass away.
. from being just important friends in the 19th century to members of the family by the early 20th century, it's clear that we've become so much more attached.
. it's all about finding what works best for each person and their circumstances.
. I mean, think about it, we spend thousands on funerals for our loved ones, so why not do the same for our furry friends 
maybe we'll see more pet-friendly spaces pop up? still a bit worried about the price tho