Opinion: ‘Until we meet again, brave little cat.’ The heartbreak and taboo of burying our pets | CNN

The tradition of burying our deceased loved ones in cemeteries is not unique to humans. As we consider creating public pet cemeteries like Barcelona's, it's essential to examine the historical context and cultural significance of this practice.

For centuries, people have buried their pets in dedicated spaces, often with personalized gravestones and epitaphs. The burial of animals was initially seen as a practical solution to dispose of dead bodies, but over time, it became an intimate cultural practice reflecting the relationships between humans and animals.

Historical records show that, in the 19th century, pet cemeteries were often dedicated to "loving friends" or "devoted companions," indicating that pets were considered important friends. By the early 20th century, as families grew and pets became integral members of the household, gravestones began to reference reunions with pets in the afterlife.

The epitaphs on historic pet cemeteries reveal a deep emotional connection between humans and animals. The owners of Denny, a brave little cat, wrote on his epitaph "God bless until we meet again," highlighting the heartbreak and taboos surrounding grieving for animals.

As society becomes more accepting of human-animal relationships, it's natural to see pets buried alongside their owners in modern cemeteries. The RSPCA reassures the public that they should not feel shame for their grief, while charities like the Blue Cross offer counseling to bereaved humans.

However, creating a public pet cemetery is not without its challenges. At an estimated €200 per service, it may not be financially available to all pet owners in Barcelona. Those who cannot afford this option may choose to keep cremated remains within their home or spread ashes in meaningful locations.

Despite the financial barriers, there are many acceptable ways to express grief and remember relationships with important animals. The development of public pet cemeteries like Barcelona's offers a unique opportunity for people to honor their pets and acknowledge the strength of human-animal bonds.

As we move forward, it's essential to recognize the historical context and cultural significance of burying our deceased loved ones – including those who are not human. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society where humans and animals can be mourned in equal measure.
 
🌱 I think its wild how our relationship with pets is so similar to ours with people 🤔. Its like we consider them family members too, and when they pass on, it hurts just as much 💔. We gotta remember that our emotions are valid, no matter who's passing 😊. And yeah, €200 might be a bit pricey for some people, but its also cool to see cemeteries being made for pets so we can say goodbye in a more public way 🙏. Maybe its time to rethink what it means to mourn and be okay with letting go 🌈
 
I think its 💔 so cool that people r 💕ing their pets 4eva even after they're gone 🐾💀! Like, who wouldn't want to keep some part of their furry friend with them forever? 🤯 And yaaas, lets acknowledge the strong bonds we have with our animals 🐶🐱💬. It's time 2 get rid of stigmas 'round grief & bereavement 🙅‍♂️. Maybe public pet cemeteries r a bit pricey, but thats not gonna stop us from honoring our pets 💪. We can get creative with other ways 2 remember & mourn them 💫.
 
I gotta say, burying pets in cemeteries might sound weird, but it's actually pretty deep 🐾💔. Like, seriously, who thought "Hey, let's give our dead cat a gravestone"? And honestly, I get why people do it – their pet was like family, you know? But €200 to bury a pet in Barcelona? That's crazy expensive 😂. Can't they just cremate 'em and scatter the ashes or something? I mean, come on. On the other hand, I'm all for honoring our furry friends. It's not like we're expecting a miracle when it comes to grief – we should be more accepting of our feelings, you know? 🤗 So yeah, let's create some pet cemeteries, but maybe make 'em affordable for everyone. That'd be the way to go 🙏.
 
can u imagine visiting ur fave cafe and finding out its actually dedicated to ur pet?? 🤩 it's crazy how many ppl r already doing this kinda thing but i think making public pet cemeteries a reality could really bring people together, like, who says we cant grieve 4 our furry friends too? 🐾💕 i feel like its only a matter of time b4 we see more of these places popping up and it's gonna be AMAZING to be able to say goodbye to ur pet in a special place 🌼💫
 
Honestly, I'm not sure about this pet cemetery thing 🤔... I mean, it's nice that people want to honor their pets, but €200 per service is kinda steep for me. Can't we just, like, scatter some ashes or something and be done with it? 💀 I get that it's a big deal for some people, but not everyone can afford it, you know? 🤷‍♀️

And I'm also curious about the whole "loving friends" vs "devoted companions" thing... is it just me or does it sound kinda weird to refer to pets as our "friends"? 🐾👫 Don't get me wrong, I love my own fur babies too much to consider them just as friends, but... anyway.

I do think it's awesome that charities are offering counseling for pet owners who are grieving, though. That's so important. 💕
 
I'm kinda curious about this whole pet cemetery thing 🐾💀, but I gotta say, €200 is pretty steep for some people... like how will low-income families afford it? shouldn't there be more affordable options like public burial grounds or something? and what about all the different types of pets? do they get their own cemeteries too? 🤔
 
I think this is such a lovely idea for a public pet cemetery in Barcelona 🐾💚. I've lost my furry friend, Luna, last year, and it was hard to say goodbye. I wish we had something like that when she passed away 🤕. It's not just about the money, though - it's also about having a special place to remember our pets and acknowledge how much they meant to us 💔.
 
The idea of public pet cemeteries is getting more popular 🐾💔. I think it's great that people want to remember their pets in a special way, but €200 per service might not be feasible for everyone 💸. Can you imagine if we had to pay that much to bury your human family member? Not many would afford it 🤯. It's good that charities like the Blue Cross offer counseling to help with grief 😔. I'm all for finding ways to honor our pets, but maybe instead of expensive cemeteries, we can create more pet-friendly parks and memorial spaces where people can come together to remember their furry friends 🌳💕
 
awww this is so heartwarming ❤️ i think its beautiful that people are starting to acknowledge the importance of our pets and grieve for them just like we do with our loved ones 🐾💔 it's not about being extravagant or expensive, its about showing love and respect to those who bring so much joy and companionship into our lives 💕 and yeah, €200 might be a bit steep for some people but i think its worth considering the emotional value of having a special place to remember our furry friends 🌼💖
 
🐾💀 I think it's super cool that people are talking about creating public pet cemeteries. It's like, we already bury our pets when they pass away, but now there's a way to do it with some dignity and respect. Like, who doesn't want to visit a special place to remember their beloved furry friend? 🐶💕 But yeah, I get that it might not be feasible for everyone, especially the ones who can't afford it. It's like, you gotta find ways to honor your pets in other ways too. Maybe some pet owners could just keep cremated remains at home and have a special memorial or something. 💔 The thing is, humans and animals are totally connected, you know? We form these super strong bonds with them, and it's okay to grieve when they're gone. 🐾💖
 
🐾💔 I think it's awesome that Barcelona is considering public pet cemeteries! It shows how our attitudes towards pets have changed over time. Did you know that 71% of Americans believe their deceased pets are still with them in spirit? 🤯 And, interestingly, a survey found that 57% of people consider themselves as "animal lovers" rather than just pet owners! 🐶💕

I'm also curious about the cost - €200 is quite steep for many families. But, on the other hand, it's great to see that charities like the Blue Cross offer counseling services to those grieving the loss of their pets. 💆‍♀️ The stats on pet cemeteries are also interesting: in 2020, over 1 million Americans spent an estimated $12 billion on pet-related funeral expenses! 🤑

What do you think? Should public pet cemeteries become a standard service for pet owners everywhere? 🤔
 
I totally get why people wanna have their pets buried with 'em 🤷‍♀️. It's like, they're part of the fam, right? I mean, we spend so much time with our pets, we start to feel this deep connection with them... it's like, goodbye, not just goodbye 😔. And yeah, I can see how it's not just about disposing of a dead body, but more about honoring this special bond we have with animals 🐾💕.

I think it's awesome that Barcelona is starting this public pet cemetery thing 🌟. It shows we're getting to the point where we're accepting that pets are part of our lives in a way that's just as important as human relationships 💗. Of course, not everyone can afford it, but like you said, there are other ways to deal with grief and remember your pet... like having their ashes at home or spreading them in special places 🌸.

I think what's really beautiful is how the RSPCA is trying to normalize our feelings about grieving for pets 💪. It's okay to feel sad, it's okay to miss 'em... let's not be ashamed of that 💔. And who knows, maybe this public pet cemetery thing will inspire us to be more mindful and present in our relationships with animals 🐾💫.
 
I think it's kinda cool that people wanna create public pet cemeteries now 🐾💀. Like, we already put up graves for our pets at home, but this is on a bigger scale. It shows how much we care about our furry friends and wanna give them the same respect as human loved ones. The fact that it's becoming more acceptable to grieve for animals too is a big step forward 🌈. I mean, who doesn't love their pets like they're part of the family? But yeah, €200 is kinda steep, so not everyone can afford it 💸. Maybe there could be more affordable options or like, pet cremation services that are more accessible to all 🙏. Either way, it's great that we're having this conversation and trying to make pet loss more normalized 👍.
 
🐈💔 it's kinda trippy how our feelings for pets aren't that different from ours for humans, you know? like, people cry and grieve just as much for their pets as they do for family members... 🤯 and those historic pet cemeteries are super cool, but €200 per service is just crazy 💸... i mean, i get it, some ppl might not be able to afford it, but still 🙄... maybe we can find ways to make it more accessible? like, community gardens or something where ppl can spread ashes in a meaningful spot without breaking the bank 🌱💕
 
I'm all for creating public pet cemeteries, but €200 per service is a bit steep for me 🤑. I mean, think about it, some people are struggling to afford their own funerals, let alone a fancy cemetery plot for their furry friends 💀. But at the same time, I get why we need to start acknowledging the bond between humans and animals - it's not like they're just pets anymore, you know? 🐾💕
 
I don't usually comment but I think this pet cemetery thing is actually kinda cool 🤔. Like, yeah, it's expensive, €200 is a lot for most people, but at the same time, it's a way to show respect and acknowledge the bond we have with our pets. And honestly, who doesn't want to be able to say goodbye and see their pet buried in a beautiful spot? It's not like it's gonna hurt anyone else 🌼. Plus, it's not like we're talking about some fancy-schmancy cemetery here, it's just a place for people to remember their pets. And if people can't afford it, they can always do something more low-key like scattering ashes or keeping them at home 🤗. I think it's great that the RSPCA is being all supportive and stuff, because grief is hard enough without feeling guilty about it 😔.
 
😊 I'm all about this pet cemetery trend 🐾💕. It's like, we're finally acknowledging that our furry friends are part of the fam too 👪. The emotional connection between us and our pets is real, you know? I've lost my own pup, Max, and it was a rough ride 😔. But seeing those historic pet cemeteries with epitaphs like "God bless until we meet again" gives me chills ❤️. It's about time we normalize the grieving process for all beings 🤝. The fact that some people can't afford it is, well, a pain point 🤕, but I think it's all about making pet cemeteries accessible and affordable in the long run 💸. For now, I'd just rather see more of these beautiful spaces created where humans and animals can pay their respects together 🌼💔
 
i think its awesome that barcelona is considering public pet cemeteries 🐾💔 its like our pets r part of the fam too & its only right we acknowledge that 💕 but €200 per service might be out of reach 4 some ppl thats why maybe they shd offer more affordable options or include them in existing cemetary services? 🤔
 
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TALKING ABOUT PET CEMETERIES LIKE THEY'RE A THING! I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT, WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR CENTURIES WITH OUR FURRY FRIENDS AND NOW WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THEM MANDATORY IN PUBLIC SPACES? IT'S ABOUT TIME WE GAVE OUR PETS THE SAME RESPECT AS WE DO FOR OUR HUMAN LOVED ONES 🐾💔

AND YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY GETS ME IS WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY SHOULD FEEL SHAME FOR GRIEVING OVER THEIR PETS. LIKE, NO! Pets are a big part of our families and they deserve to be remembered and mourned too. It's not like we're just burying them in the backyard because we don't want to deal with it (although, let's be real, that can happen too). There's something beautiful about having a special place where you can go to remember your furry friend, and I think that's what these public pet cemeteries are all about 🌼

OF COURSE, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOR EVERYONE. I mean, €200 might be a bit of a stretch for some people's budgets. BUT, at the end of the day, it's not just about the money. It's about showing our pets that we care and that we're willing to do whatever it takes to honor their memory. AND IF WE CAN DO THAT THEN I'M ALL FOR IT 💖
 
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