Why would I cremate my pet?

To many, their family pet is more than just a dog, a cat, a bird or the many species of pets people have.  They are a part of the family. They curl up on the couch with you, go for rides in the car, snuggle into bed or go for walks or runs with you.  You talk to them, play games with them or simply just give them a pat on the head.  But they are there, your constant companion, maybe even your best friend.

Studies have shown that pets relieve stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, help with depression, improve activity levels and so much more.  Pets have become more a part of our lives, they can go on vacation with you, some restaurants and bars allow them to be “pawtrons”, they can even go shopping with you in some stores.  So… times have changed.  A lot.  

Pets receive advanced health care, dental cleanings, organic treats and spa treatments.  The way we care for them in death has changed too.

It used to be that when you dog or cat died, it was time to go to the back yard, take a shovel, dig a grave, bury your dog, make a make shift grave marker and keep it a private, family affair.  Times have changed.  More and more, pet parents are choosing cremation for their pets.  

The reasons why vary, but here are a few.

First of all, we have become a more mobile society.  Not many people are born in the same house and live there all their lives.  People move for job opportunities, new homes, to be closer to family, to be in a warmer climate or possibly even to get away from family.  That means when you move, you leave trusty Fido buried in the yard.  For some, that is a hard concept to deal with, for others, it may be no big deal.

Others want their pet to always be with them, even buried or scattered with them when they die.

Sometimes it is simply impractical or you may not even be allowed to bury your pet.  Frozen ground in the winter or muddy conditions in the spring and fall sometimes prevent you from being able to bury.  If you rent, many landlords will not let you bury on the rented property.  Some communities also prohibit burial.  In any case, in Illinois, you need to contact J.U.L.I.E. prior to digging.  You may be surprised by what's buried in your yard. That's because most electric, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications companies are delivering utility services underground. 

To avoid personal injury and damage to those underground lines, state law requires you to contact JULIE before any digging project, regardless of the project size or depth. CALL 811 OR 1-800-892-0123. Both the call and JULIE's services are free.  You can visit J.U.L.I.E.’s web site at http://illinois1call.com/homeowners/ to learn more.  Please keep in mind, after calling, you must wait two (2) business days prior to digging.  Failure to contact J.U.L.I.E. may result in you being liable for any damages you cause to the underground utilities.  Heaven forbid you  knock out the cable to the neighborhood during the big game or sweeps week, but even worse, just think about what could happen if you hit a gas or electric line.

Your own personal health may prevent you from digging a grave that is appropriate for your pet.  You have to think about the size of grave that is necessary, it will need to accommodate your pet.  Most Towns and Cities also require 18 inches of earth to cover the remains.  Are you able to safely dig this big of a grave without endangering yourself?

 

These are all reasons cremation has become more popular and I’m sure there are many others depending on who you talk to.  That’s why Tails to Remember is here for you.  We understand the loss of a pet, to us, they are family, and that’s why we offer so many specialized and personalized options.  At Tails to Remember Pet Services, we offer two forms of cremation.  

Private Cremation:  Private Cremation is where only your pet is placed in the cremation chamber.  Private cremation is done one pet at a time.  The cremated remains are returned to you in a wooden temporary container, produced by a local artisan, or you may choose a different urn that fits your style and personality.  Also included is an embossed sealed cremation certificate, information regarding grief and a copy of the “Rainbow Bridge” which can be framed.

Group Cremation:  Group cremation is an economical solution for those wanting their pet cared for in a dignified way, but not wanting the cremated remains returned to them.  Group cremation is the cremation of multiple animals at one time, the cremated remains are not returned to the owner, they are taken to a private farm and scattered by a pond.

Both forms of cremation at Tails to Remember include our unique dual identification system ensuring you are receiving your pets remains back or, in the case of group cremation, that they were in fact cremated.

Still thinking of burial, we can help you there too. From garden markers, caskets and other memorial products, we can help you select options that will be right for you and your family.

Tails to Remember is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Please give us a call or text us at 217-725-9511 with any questions or if you experience the loss of a pet at home.  We can meet with you at your home, your Veterinarian’s office or in our comfortable, relaxing facility.  We even are able to help coordinate with your Veterinarian to have euthanasia services conducted by your vet at our facility. To learn more about all the options we have to offer, stop out and visit us at 3036 Peoria Road, Springfield, IL.  Our regular office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.