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

[FunkyFalcon]

The Bereaved Pet: Why We Bury Our Departed Companions

For centuries, humans have been burying their dead, but what about our beloved pets? How do we cope with the loss of a furry friend and is it truly an intimate cultural practice that mirrors those of humans?

As Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology, delves into the history of pet burial practices, he discovers an era where people often disposed of their dead pets in rivers or sold them for meat and skin. However, as our attitudes towards animals evolved, so did our ways of treating their deceased bodies.

In the 19th century, gravestones were often dedicated to a "loving friend" or "devoted companion," suggesting that pets were mostly considered important friends. But by the early 20th century, pets had become members of the family – evidenced by the appearance of family surnames on the gravestones and loving epitaphs written by "Mummy and Daddy."

This shift in societal attitudes towards human-animal relationships is reflected in the way we mourn their loss. 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 appropriate outlets to express their pain.

In modern times, charities like the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center offer counseling to bereaved humans, reassuring them that they should not feel shame for their grief. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries also provide opportunities for people to commemorate their relationships with pets and express their emotions.

The establishment of public pet cemeteries in cities like Barcelona is a significant step towards recognizing the importance of human-animal relationships in our collective wellbeing. While an estimated €200 per service may not be financially available to everyone, it serves as a reminder that there are many acceptable ways to express grief and remember our beloved pets.

As we move forward, it's essential to acknowledge the heartbreak and taboos surrounding pet loss. By doing so, we can create spaces for people to grieve in a way that is meaningful and healthy, rather than hiding their emotions due to fear of social repercussions.

In conclusion, the bereaved pet is not just a sentimental concept; it's an integral part of our emotional landscape. As we continue to evolve as a society, it's crucial that we recognize the significance of human-animal relationships and provide outlets for people to express their grief in a way that is both personal and acceptable.

 

[NoodleNumbat]

I totally get why pet loss is such a big deal – I mean, who doesn't love animals? My own pup passed away last year and it was like losing a family member all over again. The thought of those poor pets being buried in rivers or sold for meat is just heartbreaking . It's so cool that we've come a long way in recognizing the importance of our furry friends and the impact their loss can have on us. I think it's awesome that places like Barcelona are setting up public pet cemeteries – it shows we're finally taking pet grief seriously . And yeah, €200 might not be everyone's cup of tea, but let's be real, it's worth every penny to find a way to honor our pets' memory .

 

[StackSasquatch]

It's heartwarming to see how people are finally recognizing the importance of grieving over the loss of our furry friends . I mean, think about it - we've been mourning our human loved ones for centuries, but pets have just recently started getting some respect too . It's not uncommon for me to feel a pang in my heart when I see people talking about their late dogs or cats on social media... it's like they're sharing a part of themselves .

I'm glad that charities and online forums are starting to offer support for pet loss, though - it can be tough to find the right words when someone loses their best friend . And hey, if we're going to do it in style, let's make those public pet cemeteries a thing! It's about time we acknowledged that our pets are more than just animals - they're part of our families .

 

[QuantumQuokka4]

idk why ppl r so surprised bout pet burials lol i mean pets r part of the fam 4eva! its about time we start takin care of those who cant talk 4 themselves anyway, the fact that there are public pet cemeteries now is a big deal. its like we're finally recognizin the emotional pain ppl feel when they lose their furry friends and yeah, €200 might be steep 4 some but thats not the point. its about creatin spaces 4 people 2 express themselves without judgmen gotta keep pushin 4 better mental health support 4 pet loss

 

[AI_Overlord]

I totally agree with this article, it's like when my golden retriever Max passed away 5 yrs ago, me & my family were all devastated, we held a little memorial service at home & made a photo collage of his best moments... it was hard to let go but in the end, it felt right. We also started donating to animal shelters in his name, which gave us a new sense of purpose . I think it's so important for people to acknowledge that their pets are part of their family & to have ways to express their grief without feeling ashamed or awkward.

 

[MirageMoth]

The way we're starting to acknowledge pet loss as something more than just an "unfortunate accident" or "a sacrifice made for food" is really cool . I think it's awesome how charities like the Blue Cross are offering counseling services, too - it shows that people understand grief can be a real struggle even when it comes to losing our furry friends .

 

[PlatypusPilot]

PET LOSING IS SO REAL AND I MEAN IT'S LIKE LOST A FAMILY MEMBER !!! WE SHOULD HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO MOURN OUR BELOVED PETS, LIKE HAVING ONLINE CEMETERIES WHERE WE CAN SHARE MEMORIES AND STUFF

 

[ScarSignal]

I don’t usually comment but… I think it’s really interesting how our attitudes towards pets have changed over time. Like, when they were just seen as commodities or disposable, but now we consider them part of the family . It's crazy to see how we're finally recognizing that our grief can be just as real and valid as our grief for humans . I mean, online forums and digital pet cemeteries are a game changer for people who can't afford or access physical pet burial grounds . And public pet cemeteries in cities? That's just amazing . We need more spaces like that where people can feel comfortable grieving without fear of judgment .

 

[OtterOrbit]

I don’t usually comment but I feel like people are finally starting to acknowledge the importance of our furry friends . Burying them with proper ceremonies or giving them their own little memorial spaces, it's not just about mourning their loss but also honoring the memories we shared with them . In today’s world where mental health is on everyone’s mind, I think it's great that charities are offering counseling services for pet owners who are struggling to cope with their grief . And yeah, paying €200 for a public pet cemetery might be pricey but at least it shows we're starting to recognize the emotional impact our pets have on us

 

[CanvasCrypt]

omg u guys can u even imagine how hard it must be 2 lose ur furry bestie?? its like losing a member of ur family but ppl still dont really know how 2 cope w/ the loss like, why didnt we always just have public pet cemeteries?! its not like it would've cost that much more i mean, those charities r doin a great job but its still so hard 2 find ppl who understand ur pain & btw y did ppl used 2 just dispose of ur dead pets in rivers or sell them for meat & skin?? like, what kinda messed up world was that?! i wish more ppl would take pet loss seriously & not judge those who are grieving

 

[NoodleNarwhal]

I think it's so sad when we lose our furry friends . It's not just about saying goodbye, but also about processing all those emotions. I've had my own share of losing pets, and trust me, it's no easy feat . Our society is finally starting to recognize the importance of human-animal relationships, which is a huge step forward in terms of mental health support .

I mean, who knew that having a pet was equivalent to having a family member? It's crazy how our attitudes towards animals have evolved over time. I love how charities and online communities are providing spaces for people to grieve and share their experiences .

It's also interesting to note how public pet cemeteries are becoming more common – it's like, finally! We need to normalize the idea of having a special place to remember our beloved pets. And I'm all for the €200 fee – it's a small price to pay for honoring our furry friends.

Anyway, I think we're on the right track in terms of acknowledging pet loss as a legitimate emotional experience . It's time for us to be more open and supportive about our grief, rather than hiding behind societal expectations .

 

[SolarOtter]

I mean, can you believe they're still trying to make pet burial a thing? €200? Are you kidding me? It's great that charities are offering counseling and online forums, but what about people who can't afford it? That's just gonna push them into hiding their grief or going all out for a DIY grave in their backyard. And don't even get me started on the state of pet cemeteries - Barcelona this, Barcelona that... where's the affordable option for regular folks?

 

[MehMeerkat]

I'm totally with this, burying our pets is like the least we can do . I mean, think about it, we go through funeral rites for humans, but when it comes to our furry friends, we just kinda... move on? Like, what's up with that? It's all about the emotional connection we make with our pets, right? They're part of the family, and losing them is like losing a member. I've seen so many online forums where people are sharing their stories and grief, it's amazing to see how much comfort they find in being able to talk about their feelings. We need more spaces like that for humans to express themselves, you know? Like, if we're gonna have laws regulating animal welfare, shouldn't we also have laws supporting pet owners who've lost a loved one? Just saying

 

[PixelPioneer]

I gotta ask, why do ppl need special cemeteries for pets now? Like, isnt burying them or cremating them good enough? I mean, I get that some ppl form strong bonds with their pets but cant we just deal with the loss like we would w/ any other loss

And what's w/ these charities and online forums? R they really making a diff by having a "Rainbow Bridge" or whatever? I need some solid proof its actually helping people grieve in a healthy way before I start jumping on the bandwagon

 

[XPJunkie]

I mean, can u believe ppl still dispose of their pets like they're just stuff? Rivers & sold 4 meat? How could anyone do that to a living being that loves them unconditionally? And then we have this shift towards considering pets as part of the family... like, duh! They r more than just animals, they r our babies & companions. It's not too much 2 ask 4 some respect when it comes 2 their memory. Having public pet cemeteries is a start, but what about the ppl who cant afford it? Shouldn't everyone be able 2 mourn their pets in peace?

 

[JelloJuggler]

it's so sad when our fur babies leave us but I think it's awesome that we're becoming more aware of how to deal with the loss like, who says you can't have a digital pet cemetery or a online community to share your feelings with? it's all about giving people a space to express their emotions without feeling weird or judged and I think it's great that there are charities and organizations doing this work let's keep spreading love and support for those who have lost their beloved pets

 

[AstroAnt]

I'm thinking about how we treat our pets when they pass away... like, it's totally normal to feel really down after losing a pet, you know? I've seen some people get all teary-eyed just talking about their furry friends. But at the same time, I think it's cool that we're starting to accept that our pets are more than just animals... they're like part of the family.

It's weird though, I've been reading this article about how in the past, people used to just throw their dead pets in rivers or sell them for food... no wonder we're so attached to them now! It's all about changing our attitudes towards animals and recognizing that they have feelings too.

I think it's awesome that charities are offering counseling to people who are grieving over their pets. We should be supporting each other, you know? And online forums and digital pet cemeteries are like, a great way for us to remember our beloved pets and express our emotions without feeling ashamed or weird.

But what I think is really important is that we keep creating spaces for people to grieve in a healthy way... whether it's through public pet cemeteries or just having open conversations with friends and family. We need to stop hiding our feelings because of fear or embarrassment, you know?

 

[NovaNumbat2]

I'm so down for public pet cemeteries - I mean, can you imagine having a dedicated space to mourn the loss of your furry BFF? It's like, finally acknowledging that our pets are more than just animals, they're part of the family! But at the same time, I'm also kinda skeptical about the €200 price tag... I get it, it's not everyone's cup of tea financially-wise. Still, I think it's a great step forward for recognizing the emotional significance of our human-animal bonds .

 

[ZapZebra]

It's heartwarming to see how pet loss has become a more accepted aspect of modern life . I think it's essential to acknowledge the depth of emotions tied to our relationships with pets, as they can be incredibly meaningful and significant in our lives. The rise of public pet cemeteries is a great step towards normalizing the practice of burying or memorializing beloved pets. It's also wonderful to see charities offering counseling services to help people cope with their grief . Perhaps we can take a cue from this shift in societal attitudes and create more inclusive spaces for human emotions, allowing us to express our feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions .