Can I be buried with my dog or cat when I die? Here’s what Georgia law says
Our pets are special to us. They give us love, comfort and cheer us up when we are down.
They are always right next to us with their sweet cuddles or wagging tail, so why wouldn’t we want them next to us when we enter the next life?
While being buried with your pet may seem like a simple request, there’s a lot more to know about the legality of it. Here’s what to know:
Is it possible to be buried with your pet in Georgia?
Well, not exactly.
Several states allow the burial of a pet on your own property, but not together with you, in one burial site. Some states, in fact, have laws prohibiting a combined (pet and human) burial.
According to ElderLawAnswers, New York is one of the few states that allow this, but the pet has to be cremated to do so. The 2016 law makes it okay to have your pet’s cremated remains buried with you and while other states are considering the issue, they don’t have laws permitting this.
In some cases, it may all be up to the crematory or memorial site and their personal preference on the issue. Overall, if this is something you want to do, you stand a better chance if the previously deceased animal’s remains were cremated. The simpler the process, the more likely the memorial sites will be to make an exception.
“They will tell you ‘not a day goes by when I don’t put an urn of an animal into the casket of a human being secretly for a family,’ “ said Coleen Ellis, co-chair of the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA). “So, while it’s been going on for a very long time, the trend is becoming more recognized where people are getting permission to do it.”
If you are looking to have a separate burial for your pet, here are some tips from The Pet Memorial website:
It is generally recommended that all animal burials include at least two feet of soil covering the remains as this will prevent scavengers from digging up and scattering your pet’s remains.
While you don’t need one, a casket is a great way to honor your pet. Some are biodegradable for burials on private property while others are impenetrable if you choose to bury your pet at a cemetery. If you choose to purchase a pet casket it’s important to note that there are no federal regulations regarding pet caskets and containers.
While many pet owners will choose to mark the gravesite of their pets with a small headstone or memorial, other people may choose not to mark the grave at all. It is important to decide in advance what you will do in this regard so that you can make arrangements for marking the grave beforehand, if necessary.
Do you know anyone that has had a combined burial with their pet? Comment below or let us know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published September 11, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
