Pet-Burials in Family Cemetery Plots
To change state cemetery laws in order to allow pets to be buried in family cemetery plots. In different cultures throughout history, humans have buried beloved animals in family burial plots.
Need
While pets can be buried in family plots in many states, this practice is currently prohibited in California, Georgia, New York, Oregon and Washington (we are investigating other state laws for a complete listing).
Actions
Write to your legislators in CA, GA, NY, OR or WA requesting to repeal these laws, and let us know their response.
- Find your CA legislator by name or zip code
- Find your GA legislator by name or zip code
- Find your NY legislator by name or zip code
- Find your OR legislator by zip code
- Find your WA legislator by name or zip code
Note: policies of individual cemeteries vary greatly. Even in those states where pets may be buried in family plots, a particular cemetery may prohibit it. However, others would gladly accommodate such a request, as seen among many green cemeteries.
Activity
Washington State Legislature SB 5063, introduced in 2009. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2009&bill=5063
For a list of Whole-Family Cemeteries in the U.S. and internationally, visit our Providers pages.
Animal Trusts
To ensure ongoing care of your companion animal in the event that you die before your pet, you can ensure that there is a program in your area through which to arrange for the continued care of your pet, and for the possibility of your pet’s interment in your family plot upon your pet’s death.
Models:
- American Veterinary Medical Association - report
- San Francisco SPCA – Sido Program
- North Shore Animal League – Safe Haven Surviving Pet Care
updated November 24, 2012
PET MEMORIAL ACRES is 14+ acres licensed by New York state and legally dedicated in perpetuity as a pet cemetery featuring Pet Memorial Park. I encourage green burial and provide a section of the cemetery for green burials only. By “green” burial, I refer to use of biodegradable, non-toxic materials, such as linen shrouds, plain pine boxes, biodegradable paper or wicker caskets, etc. Our goal is to provide options to pet owners while preserving and protecting our natural resources. We do not encourage what I refer to as “golf course” style grooming and use of chemicals for cemetery grounds. We are striving for a natural look and low impact to the area. Little or no use of non-organic compounds is the goal. Green is good! Check out MemorialAcres.com for more information.
All best, Darryl Simcoe, Founder
I wonder if in NY a more practical approach is to promote allowing licensed pet cemetery operators to bury human cremains with their pets. I’ m sure you are aware of the on-going controversy in our state. So many people are electing cremation, and providing the burial of human cremains with their pets is a very reasonable option that also promotes the pet cemetery industry. PET MEMORIAL ACRES (memorialAcres.com) is all about providing options to pet owners.
Thanks for your post. For those who are comfortable with cremation, they should have the option of having their cremains buried or scattered in a pet cemetery. Yet there are many people who for a number of reasons (e.g., religious, environmental) will not be cremated, and who would not want to cremate their pets’ remains. As such, whole-family cemeteries are a beautiful choice. In NY State, such an option is prohibited at this time. As you may know we have a directory of green pet cemeteries and would like to know more about Pet Memorial Acres – is yours a green pet cemetery? Is it deeded in perpetuity? If you prefer, feel free to email us at info @ greenpetburial.org.