It is never easy to overcome the loss of a pet you are fond of. The final farewell can be a very painful experience, but sometimes the concluding rite of a funeral and burial can help to mourn. If you have decided to bury the cat, check that it is legally allowed in the place where you live; then, choose the burial site, coffin and tombstone. You will need to put the cat in the coffin, dig a hole and decorate the area. Having a place to visit your little feline friend can give you some comfort.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making Decisions About the Burial
Step 1. Verify that burying the cat is legal and safe
While it is important to give the animal a place to rest forever, burial is not allowed everywhere. Before proceeding, check your local regulations; you can call the veterinary office of the competent ASL to find out if you can bury the cat in your garden; however, it is not possible to do this in public places, such as parks.
- Avoid burying your cat's body near waterways as this could contaminate them.
- You should also check that the hole is not close to underground cables. Choose a spot in the garden away from the house; if you come across any plant while digging, stop, fill the hole and choose a different place.
- If you live in rent, ask the landlord for permission; not everyone agrees to the burial of pets in the garden.
Step 2. Choose the place
Once you've made sure everything is legal, choose where to bury the cat; you can do it in your garden or take it to an animal cemetery. Remember that you cannot leave it in public parks or on other people's property.
- You should choose a symbolic place. For example, if your cat liked to be near the wildflowers in the garden, this area might be a good choice; if he liked to play in the trees, bury him there.
- However, take the logistical aspect into consideration as well. You shouldn't put it to lie in an area of the garden that is often trampled and frequented; find an area you don't usually go to. If you have children, opt for a place they don't usually use to play.
Step 3. Choose a coffin or container
You need to get a container in which to put the cat's remains before burial. If the Municipality in which you reside imposes very specific regulations, this detail could prove to be fundamental; in some cases, it is mandatory to use a certain type of coffin for reasons related to the risk of soil contamination.
- You can buy a pet coffin online; if it is important for you to have a "formal" one, this solution may be the best.
- However, it could also prove to be an expensive choice. You can bury the cat in a cardboard box; if the animal had a kennel that he loved so much, consider burying it inside.
- If you don't have to use a container, you can always wrap it in a towel.
Step 4. Make decisions about the gravestone
You can use many different objects to mark where the cat's grave is. You can purchase a funeral plaque online or create a personalized one that you can put on the name and other details of the cat, such as the date of birth and death. However, if this solution exceeds your budget, know that there are others.
- You can collect pebbles and stones from the garden and stack them near the grave. If it is important to you that the animal's name is on the funeral stone, you can write it with paint on a large stone.
- If the cat loved a particular type of plant, consider placing it over the burial site; you can also think about using a larger reference, such as a tree.
Part 2 of 3: Begin the Burial Process
Step 1. Plan to bury the animal as soon as possible
You must proceed before the body begins to decompose; in theory, you should do it within the day of death or the day after at the latest. This detail is essential especially in the warm months.
- Unfortunately, if the cat has died in winter, it is not always possible to proceed with a quick funeral; the ground may be frozen - if so, ask your vet about how to store the body until you can bury it.
- You can wrap the body in a towel and store it in a Styrofoam box filled with ice. However, you should only use this method if you plan to wait a couple of days; it is not a long-term solution.
Step 2. Gather the necessary materials
You need certain items to bury the cat; if you don't already have them, you can buy most of them at a hardware store. Here's what you need:
- Gloves;
- Shovel or shovel;
- Rope with which to wrap the box or container.
Step 3. Place the cat in the enclosure of your choice
Put on gloves to touch it. If you wish, you can also put some of his favorite items; for example, you can wrap him in the blanket he liked so much, put the toy he loved most into the box, or other objects he enjoyed when he was alive.
Once the animal is inside, remember to close the box with a rope
Step 4. Dig a hole at least two meters deep
You need to be sure to bury it deep enough not to attract predators; the pit must be wide enough to accommodate the coffin.
Remember, if you see any cables in the ground while digging, stop immediately; fill the hole and look for another area for your feline friend's grave
Part 3 of 3: Completing the Burial
Step 1. Hold a small memorial ceremony
Some people find this ritual to help say goodbye to the animal. Before burying it, you can say a few words, sing a song or read a poem.
- Consider inviting friends and family to greet your cat.
- Young children, in particular, can benefit from the funeral; encourage them to collect items that remind them of their lost friend and that they can put away in the pit next to the coffin.
Step 2. Put the container in the hole and cover it with soil
After saying a few words, gently lower the coffin into the pit and fill the pit with the earth you dug. Be sure to compact the soil as you move it to the burial site; it must not be moved to prevent predators from digging and finding the cat's body.
Step 3. Place the headstone
Don't forget this detail; While not an important symbolic gesture for you, a small object of recognition prevents the tomb from being "disturbed". If you bought a funeral plaque, place it over the burial site; if you have opted for stones or other materials, pile them on top of the grave.
If you want to bury something in the ground, surround the base of the plant with heavy objects to keep predators out
Step 4. Decorate the tomb if you like
Once the tombstone is in place, you can add some elements, such as temporary decorations, flowers and other plants.
