5 minute read
Written by a person, not a computer.
Burying your pet can be a good choice, it is the least expensive option and gives your family a location for remembrance that is universally understood, and private. But there are four conditions to consider to make pet burial at home a practical and safe choice.
You own the land.
And feel strongly that you will live there for a long time to come. The average American moves 12 times in their life. Jobs change, children move out, grandchildren appear in other states. Lots of people buy their “forever” home several times. You don’t want to be in the situation where you have a grave with emotional investment that cannot be moved. Or that a new property owner finds remains while planting a tree.
You understand your community's rules.
When I owned and operated a dog boarding kennel, my community in North Carolina had no rules. On my 16 acres I was allowed to hunt, build a motorbike track, grow cannabis, clear cut the forest, open a car dealership, or compost giant quantities of garbage for profit. For the record I did none of these things, but my neighbors did. One owned a cannon, and regularly reminded the community of its continuing operability on Sundays.
Many communities are not that permissive. Cities likely have official policies that can be googled, if they do, you should read and consider them. Smaller local governments may not and asking about the rules to bury a pet is tricky. Instead of official policy, if there is any, you may get the opinion of whoever answers the phone. The person who makes the rules isn't the one who answers the phone.
Also common is a promise to “look into it and call you next week”, that is likely too late. A well meaning official will tell you “no”, without good reasons in the way that organizations tend to be cautious because they know that some people would shoot a cannon in their yard if given the chance.
I will also display prudence by reminding you not to intentionally break the law, but burying a modestly sized animal, with thought and care in your own suburban yard, or a larger animal on rural acreage seems reasonable as long as you meet the other conditions.
You're not near a water source.
200 feet from a water source is the general guidance for burying the dead, or making a potty in the woods. This includes lakes, oceans, rivers, streams, and well water. If you live in an area where everyone has their own well, don’t bury a pet there. Though not technically drinking water, in some places the water table is shallow, just a couple feet underground. If you dig a hole and it fills with water naturally, it’s not a good place, the water will interfere with the natural decomposition process.
You can dig the hole safely.
Hitting a utility line while digging is very dangerous and hideously expensive. All kinds of lines may be buried in your suburban yard, or on your acreage. In theory gas, water, and electrical lines are buried 2-3 feet deep, in practice this can vary. Over time, erosion or other landscape projects done before your time can leave lines much closer to the surface than you think. Shallower utilities include phone lines, internet, and cable. Any of the lines on your property can be for your home, your neighbor, or the whole block. If you hit a utility line, you will likely be responsible for all the repair costs, and potentially fines as well. 811 is the national number to locate your utilities, call before you dig.
Also, digging a hole at least 2 feet deep may be harder than you think. Tree roots, rocks, mud, stumps, winter, heavy clay, and old landscaping can all become serious obstacles. Do you sometimes forget you’re not 26 anymore? I do! If you don’t have a history of manual labor, or treat fitness as a lifestyle, this project may leave you with a physical wound to go with your emotional one.
It is not my intention to dissuade you from making the decision to bury your pet in what was their yard. I think it makes a lot of sense and is a practical and economical choice. Just think about it first. I am sorry for your loss.
Peter, of Pawsitive Memorials. August 23
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