Opinion: ‘Until we meet again, brave little cat.’ The heartbreak and taboo of burying our pets | CNN

The tradition of burying our pets has long been misunderstood as simply a human convenience, but it is actually a complex and deeply personal act that reveals much about our relationships with the creatures we love. The establishment of public pet cemeteries, like Barcelona's planned new one, highlights the changing attitudes towards animal companionship and mourning.

Historically, humans have buried their pets in a variety of settings, often reflecting the status of the animal and its owner at the time of death. In many cases, it was simply more practical to dispose of the body than to provide a proper burial. However, over time, as attitudes towards human-animal relationships evolved, so too did our customs for dealing with deceased animals.

Gravestones have become increasingly ornate, reflecting the depth of emotion and connection between humans and their pets. In Victorian Britain, for example, gravestones often dedicated to a "loving friend" or "devoted companion," signifying that pets were cherished members of the family. By the early 20th century, as families became more complex and nuclear units took shape, epitaphs started referencing reunions in the afterlife.

Today, we are seeing a growing recognition of the significance of these relationships and the emotional pain associated with losing them. Pet cemeteries are becoming more widespread, and charities are offering support for those grieving the loss of their pets. As society becomes increasingly accepting of human-animal bonds as integral to our wellbeing, it is only natural that we develop rituals to mourn their passing.

However, not everyone will have access to these new cemeteries. The cost of a burial in Barcelona's new cemetery stands at €200 ($217), which may be out of reach for many pet owners. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries offer alternative options for those who cannot afford the physical space, providing a way to remember and grieve in their own way.

Ultimately, the tradition of burying our pets is about more than just logistics – it's about acknowledging the depth of emotion and connection we share with these animals. As our understanding of human-animal relationships evolves, so too will our customs for dealing with deceased companions, reflecting a society that increasingly values compassion and empathy towards all living beings.
 
I'm low-key excited about this new pet cemetery in Barcelona 🌼 But, like, €200? That's kinda steep for some pet owners... I get it, it's not cheap to maintain a physical space, but there gotta be ways to make it more accessible. Online forums and digital cemeteries are a great alternative tho! 🤖 It's all about acknowledging the emotional connection we have with our pets and finding ways to grieve that work for everyone. I'm glad to see people recognizing the significance of human-pet relationships... it's not just about burying a pet, it's about celebrating their time with us 🐾💕
 
its kinda cool how people are startin to take pet loss more seriously, ya know? like, we used to just throw 'em in the backyard or a dumpster, but now its all about makin' it a proper sendoff 🐾💔. and yeah, its not just about bein cheap either, some people cant afford the fancy cemeteries 😕. but at least theres options now for those who need em, like them online pet cemeteries 🌿.

i think its awesome how gravestones are gettin more ornate and stuff, reflectin the love we had with our pets 🙏. and yeah, its not just about bein sentimental, it really is a way to acknowledge that they were part of the fam too 👪. i mean, who says humans cant grieve like animals do? 🐕💔
 
I'm paws-itive that pet cemeteries are the cat's meow! I mean, who wouldn't want to pay €200 to give their furry friend a fancy sendoff? Just kidding, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (or in this case, bowl of kibble). But seriously, it's awesome that we're seeing more recognition of our emotional connections with animals. I've lost count of how many times I've cried over my cat's passing (okay, maybe not that many, but still!). The thought of online pet cemeteries as a backup option is pretty cool too - like having a digital purr-fecto memorial.
 
I think its amazing how pet cemeteries are becoming more popular now 🤩. I mean, who wouldn't want to say goodbye to their furry friend in a beautiful spot? It's like we're finally acknowledging that our pets are part of the family too 🐾💕. The fact that some people can't afford it is sad tho 🤷‍♀️. But online stuff is great for those who cant, at least its something 📱. I think its really cool how we're becoming more accepting of human-animal bonds. Its like we finally get why losing a pet is so tough 🐾💔
 
I feel like this is soooo relevant to what's going on at school right now 🤔. We've been learning about human emotions in class and how we respond to loss, and it's crazy to think about how much our attitudes towards pets have changed over time. I mean, can you imagine if we had a "pet cemetery" on campus where people could go to remember their furry friends? That would be so cool! 🐾💀 But for real, it's wild to see how something as simple as burying a pet has become such a big deal in society. The fact that some places are making it more accessible and affordable is amazing 💖. It just goes to show that we're becoming more accepting of human-animal bonds as being super important for our wellbeing 🐾❤️.
 
I feel like this is super late to be commenting on this but I think its great how pet cemeteries are becoming more popular now! €200 is still kinda steep tho 🤑 idk how many ppl can afford that. i think online options r a good compromise tho, its nice to see ppl still having rituals 2 remember their pets
 
🐾💔 I think it's beautiful how we're finally acknowledging the importance of our bond with pets 🤗. Growing up, my mom always said that losing a pet is like losing a family member 💕. It's crazy to see how far attitudes have come from just burying them in the backyard to having dedicated cemeteries 🌳.

But I'm also thinking about accessibility here 🤑 €200 is definitely out of reach for many people. My friend has two cats and they're super expensive 🐈💸. It's hard enough grieving when you can afford it, but what about those who can't? Maybe online forums or digital cemeteries are the answer 📊.

I'm also curious to see how this changes as people become more aware of animal welfare 🐾💪. I think it's awesome that charities are offering support for pet owners grieving the loss of their pets ❤️. It's not just about burying them, it's about acknowledging the love and connection we share with our furry friends 💕.
 
I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised that people are getting so worked up about pet cemeteries now 😊. Like, I get it, pets are part of the family and stuff, but €200 for a burial in Barcelona? That's some steep price to pay for a headstone 🤑. But at the same time, I think it's awesome that people are recognizing the emotional impact of losing a pet. It's like, we used to just throw 'em in the trash or something, but now we're all about showing respect and compassion ❤️.

And online forums and digital cemeteries? That's a game-changer for people who can't afford the real deal 🤯. I mean, it's not exactly the same as having your pet buried in the ground, but it's better than nothing, right? It's all about finding ways to honor our pets and grieve in a way that feels meaningful to us 💔.

I guess what I'm saying is, this whole pet cemetery thing is like a big step forward for society 🌈. We're finally starting to recognize the value of human-animal relationships and showing it through our actions (or lack thereof 😉). Bring on the gravestones and online memorials – we're all about celebrating those furry friends who bring so much joy into our lives 🐾💕
 
I THINK IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH ATTENTION IS BEING GIVEN TO PET CEMETERIES NOWADAYS 🐾💔! I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO GIVE THEIR FURRY FRIEND A PERMANENT HOME THAT REFLECTS THE LOVE AND MEMORIES THEY SHARED? €200 MIGHT SEEM LIKE A LOT TO SOME PEOPLE, BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A PET, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE CASH - IT'S ABOUT SHOWING RESPECT & COMFORT IN A TIME OF GRIEF 🤗. I HOPE MORE PEOPLE GET TO EXPERIENCE THIS KIND OF support & community as they navigate the loss of their beloved pets 👫!
 
I'm totally getting this thing, burying pets is not just some weird human habit 🤔. I mean, who wouldn't want to give their furbaby a proper sendoff? It's like we're learning to see our pets as more than just furry friends, but also as part of the family 💕. The fact that people are even getting emotional about this is pretty great, it shows how strong those bonds can be 🐾💔.

But, yeah, the price tag for some cemeteries is a bit steep 🤑. I mean, €200? That's like, a lot of catnip or dog treats 😹. For people who can't afford that, online forums and digital pet cemeteries are a lifesaver 💻. It's all about finding ways to remember and grieve in our own way, you know? 🌸

What I love most is how this is showing us that we're becoming more compassionate and empathetic towards animals 🐾❤️. Like, we're not just thinking about ourselves anymore, but also about the impact our actions have on other living beings 🌎. It's a beautiful thing, really 😊
 
I think it's really cool how attitudes towards pets are changing 🐾💕. I mean, back in the day, people just kinda... got rid of them like they were nothing, but now we're recognizing how attached humans can get to their furry friends. It's awesome that gravestones are getting all fancy and ornate - it shows how much love and grief people feel when they lose their pets.

I'm also stoked about the rise of pet cemeteries 🌳👻. I know not everyone can afford €200 for a burial, so online forums and digital cemeteries are a lifesaver 🤗. It's all about compassion and empathy towards animals now - I love it!

The fact that charities are offering support for people who've lost their pets is just... *aww* 💕. Losing a pet is never easy, but having a community of fellow humans who get it can make all the difference 🤝.
 
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