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

The idea of burying our departed loved ones in a cemetery is often taken for granted, but what about when it's our pets that have passed away? While we may not mourn the loss of an animal as deeply as we do a human, our relationships with them are undoubtedly significant. In fact, research suggests that the bond between humans and animals can be just as strong and lasting.

In Europe and North America, public pet cemeteries have been around since the late 19th century, offering a place for people to say goodbye to their beloved pets. These cemeteries not only provide a space for grieving but also serve as a testament to the evolving attitudes towards human-animal relationships over time.

Historic gravestones and epitaphs from Britain during the Victorian period reveal that pets were once considered important friends, rather than just family members. However, by the early 20th century, this perception had shifted, and pets became integral members of families, with family names and loving epitaphs being inscribed on their graves.

Fast-forward to modern times, and it's clear that our relationships with animals have become increasingly significant. The growing acceptance of human-animal bonds has led to a shift in the way we mourn the loss of these animals. While public pet cemeteries may not be as common as they once were, there are now numerous online forums, digital pet cemeteries, and charities offering support to those grieving the loss of their pets.

In fact, research suggests that individuals continue to struggle to find suitable outlets for expressing their grief related to animal loss. However, with increasing awareness and acceptance of human-animal relationships, it's becoming more acceptable to acknowledge and express this bond.

The recent announcement from Barcelona about its first public pet cemetery is a significant development in this regard. While the estimated cost of €200 ($217) per service may be prohibitively expensive for some, it highlights the growing recognition of the importance of human-animal relationships and the need for more accessible spaces to grieve.

Ultimately, whether we choose to bury our pets or opt for alternative methods of commemoration, such as cremation or scattering ashes, there are many ways to express our grief and remember the significant role animals have played in our lives. As society becomes increasingly accepting of human-animal relationships, it's heartening to see that we're moving towards a more compassionate and inclusive approach to animal loss.
 
I'm not sure about these public pet cemeteries 🤔. I mean, think about it - €200 per service is pretty steep for some people. What if you're not ready to spend that kind of money? Or what if you don't live near one of these cemeteries? It just seems like another way to make a quick buck off people who are already hurting 🤑. And let's be real, most pet owners would rather cremate or scatter their pets' ashes and be done with it.
 
You know what's wild? I was just reading about how some companies are now selling "tree planting kits" as a way for people to honor the memory of their pets 🌳💚. It's like, sure, it's nice that we're looking for more eco-friendly ways to do things, but aren't there already cemeteries for pets? I mean, I know some people might not want to bury their pet in a traditional cemetery, but what about all the pet owners who just can't bring themselves to part with their furry friends? 🐾💔

And have you ever noticed how dogs are always getting more attention than cats when it comes to death and mourning? Like, don't get me wrong, I love animals, but isn't that just a human bias thing going on? 😂🐈
 
omg i'm so down for this! having a pet cemetery is like such a lovely way to honor the memory of your fur babies 🐾💕 especially with how much love and connection we have with our pets it's only natural that we want to find ways to celebrate their lives after they're gone 🌼🏞️ and €217 might be pricey but who cares when it's about giving our loved ones the sendoff they deserve 💖 the more pet cemeteries pop up, the better we'll get at acknowledging the significance of animal-human bonds ❤️
 
OMG did you know that pet cemeteries are a thing now? 🤯 Like, I get why they'd want a special place for pets since our bond with them is super strong 💕. It's crazy how much it used to cost to have a pet cemetery service back in the day tho - €200 is like, a lot of money 💸! But hey, at least it shows that society is accepting of human-animal relationships more now 🌈. And yaaas, online forums and digital pet cemeteries are a game-changer for people who can't afford to go to a physical one 😊. I mean, grief is hard no matter what method you choose, but it's nice that we're moving towards being more compassionate about animal loss 🐾💔.
 
omg i think its so cool that ppl r now creatin public pet cemeteries lol they gotta do what they can 2 provide 4 those who cant afford it 🤕 meanwhile online forums & digital stuff r all well n good but theres somethin about a real grave w/ a headstone that gets me 😔 its like our pets are part of the fam too, u know? 🐾💕
 
I'm fascinated by this recent announcement about Barcelona's first public pet cemetery 🏰💕. While the cost might be steep for some, I think it's a significant step forward in acknowledging the deep bond between humans and animals. It's amazing how our perceptions of pets have shifted over time, from being seen as just family members to being considered important friends. The rise of online forums and digital pet cemeteries has also shown us that we're willing to explore new ways to grieve and celebrate the lives of our furry friends 🐾💭. Ultimately, I think this move will help normalize the idea of human-animal relationships and provide more comfort for those who've lost their beloved pets 💔
 
I think it's kinda weird how much we mourn when our pets pass away 🐶💔 I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my own doggy like they were family too 😊 but it's not like humans are the only ones who experience that strong bond. We need more options for pet owners to say goodbye and remember their furry friends in a way that feels meaningful to them, you know? Like, €200 is steep for some people, what if we had free or low-cost pet cemeteries online or something? 🤔
 
🐾💕 I think its crazy how much pain we get when pets pass away 🤕! We love them just as much as our humans and they bring so much joy & comfort into our lives 😊. Having a special place for us to say goodbye is the least we deserve 💯. Online pet cemeteries are great but I wish more places had physical spots like this in my hometown 📍. Maybe one day, it'll become more accepted for us to grieve just as much as humans do 🙏. It's beautiful to see people talking about human-animal relationships and how they're becoming more significant 💖.
 
I mean, can you imagine if they had pet cemeteries when I was growing up? I had this one friend whose dog passed away, and she just put him in the backyard and cried for days 🐶💔. But seriously, it's kinda sad that we didn't have options back then to properly say goodbye. Nowadays, though, it's awesome to see people recognizing how much animals mean to us. The idea of a public pet cemetery in Barcelona is pretty cool, even if the price tag might be a bit steep for some 🤑. I think it's great that there are more resources available now for people who are grieving the loss of their pets, like online forums and charities offering support. It just shows how our attitudes towards animals have changed over time...
 
🐾 The notion that pets hold a special place in our hearts is undeniably true, & it's refreshing to see public pet cemeteries gaining traction once again 💚. While the estimated cost of €200 per service might be a barrier for some, it's a small price to pay considering the significance our furry friends bring to our lives 🐶. I think online forums, digital pet cemeteries, and charities offering support are fantastic alternatives that cater to those who may not have access to physical spaces 😊. It's heartening to see society becoming more accepting of human-animal relationships & moving towards a more compassionate approach to animal loss ❤️
 
I mean can u believe they just announced a public pet cemetery in Barcelona for €200?! its like, i get it pets r loved members of our family but come on €217 thats some serious $$$ 🤑💸 my little kitty passed away last yr & im still reeling from the emotional pain & now u tell me theres this super fancy way to bury her for almost 2 hundred bucks? dont get me wrong i think its a great idea but cmon who can afford it? 😭🐈
 
Ugh, I'm so done with these pet cemeteries! 🤯 I mean, don't get me wrong, I love animals too much to not want them to have some sort of proper sendoff, but €200? Are you kidding me?! 😂 That's like, totally out of reach for most people. And what about all the ppl who can't afford it or just wanna scatter their pet's ashes in a more natural way? It feels like these cemeteries are just gonna cater to the more affluent pet owners 🤑. Can't we just have some more options here?! 😩
 
I think its so cool how people r embracing this new norm of pet cemeteries 🌼, its like we finally recognize the bond between humans & animals is real deal 💕. Growing up I never really thought about my cat's passing but now I feel guilty for not even having a proper goodbye 🤷‍♀️. Its good 2 see that ppl r creating these spaces 4 pets 2 say their final goodbyes too 💗, might just make it easier 4 me 2 process my emotions when my furry friend passes away in the future 😔
 
I just got back from my vacation with my pup Luna 🐶🌴 and I'm totally emotional thinking about her passing away 🤕. I know people might think I'm crazy but I wrote a whole poem and everything on a memorial wall in the beach where we used to play fetch 📝💔. It's weird how research says humans & animals can have super strong bonds, like, who wouldn't? 😂 I'm so glad they're making pet cemeteries more mainstream tho 💕, maybe one day we'll have a whole online community for people to share their grief and stuff 🤗💻.
 
Pet cemeteries r gonna be a thing 🐾💔 now that ppl r accepting pets as family members. €200 a pop might b pricey but it shows society's shift towards human-animal bond 💕
 
🐾💔 I mean, who needs a fancy cemetery when you can just scatter their ashes on your front lawn or... wait for it... take a selfie with them before they go? Just kidding, kinda. Seriously though, €200 is a bit steep, but hey, if people want to shell out that kind of cash to say goodbye to their pets, who are we to judge? It's all about emotional support and closure, right? 🤑
 
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