E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Getty Images file
A pet owner adjusts adornments atop her dog's grave stone at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in Hartsdale, N.Y. The cemetery, established in 1896, is the oldest pet cemetery in the United States. Pet owners have the option of eventually having their own ashes buried in the plot, alongside their pets.
Dogs have long been recognized as man’s best friend, and we have no problem opening up our wallets to let our furry friends know just how much we love them.
Americans spend $53 billion annually on our animal friends, lavishing them with the best squeaker toys money can buy, fashionable collars, comfy beds and even gourmet treats from bakeries catering solely to four-legged customers. And when our pets have departed this mortal coil, we're willing to dig deep one last time to pay for an appropriate sendoff.
Yes, pet funerals are now a booming business, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, which says there are now about 700 pet "aftercare" facilities nationwide, up from just a handful a decade ago.
Oakey’s Funeral Services in Roanoke, Va., is one of the newcomers. The funeral home has been in business for more than 140 years, but in December 2009 the owners expanded to offer pet funerals as well.
Getty Images
A gravestone marks a pet's final resting place at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in Hartsdale, N.Y.
“There are many, many pet owners and pet lovers within our company, and we thought it would be a great service for our community,” said Marjene Schrader, a cremationist at Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home & Crematory.
Oakey's performs 800 to 900 pet cremations annually and sells about 20 pet caskets each year for burial. Staff have been added to deal with the growing business as more people learn about the available services.
Most pet owners opt for cremation, which offers families the option to take the remains of their departed pet when they relocate. Oakey’s also offers a cremation certificate, an ink paw print and a lock of pet hair as keepsakes.
Standard private cremations typically run between $200 and $300. Heartland Pet Cremation in St. Louis, Mo., charges $275 for a private cremation, which includes a basic urn and a memorial video slideshow.
Of course there are upgrades available. Specialty urns can easily run $300, and the sky is the limit for other remembrances.
And don't forget to set aside money for maintenance. At Bit of Heaven Pet Cemetery & Crematorium in Houston, Tecas, it will cost more than $1,100 to bury a large dog, plus an annual plot maintenance fee of $30.
While cremation remains the most popular way for people to memorialize their pets, there are an endless array of other options.
Peternity, a website founded in 2003, offers everything from headstones to blankets emblazoned with a photo of your departed pet. The site even allows you to create a mix CD or personalized pet ringtone as a way to remember your animal. Bloomberg Businessweek also notes there are more options available, including freeze-drying, taxidermy and creating a synthetic diamond out of pet ashes.
Customers include 20-something childless couples, elderly widows and young families of many income levels, industry officials say.
Carla Jurczyk, a golden retriever breeder in Kirkland, Wash, says she has always had her departed dogs cremated, working directly with her vet rather than a pet funeral home. Her veterinarian even offers families commemorative paw prints.
“For my very first dog, I spread his ashes in the woods where he used to run all the time,” Jurczyk said.
What special things have you done to remember and honor a beloved pet? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Dana Macario is a Seattle area writer and dog lover.
More money and business news:
- Once middle-class family finds 'It’s hard to be poor'
- Big retailers offering free pre-holidays layaways
- The world’s most (and least) competitive economies
- Video: How to teach kids financial literacy
- Sign up for our Business newsletter
Leave a Comment:
a truly decedent society.... caring for and being saddened by the lost of a pet is one thing.....spending thousands of dollars on extreme medical procedures and burial is
altogether a different thing... with all the homeless and hungry people in this country?
While pet funeral business is booming, human funeral business is on the decline....folks are having to dig up their own graves just in case sh*t happens and there's no money saved during these bad economic times.
Some folks wish they were pets...
Average Putz so you have no discretionary spending. Who are you to criticize how us pet owners spend our money. Unless you giving all you money to the hungry and homeless, shut you yap. Dco Holiday the sames goes for you unless you save evry penny you make, shut your yap. I save 15% of my income and spend what I want on my pets.
I can say that i am one of those persons that will open my wallet if anything was to happen to my dog. No question about it. I will mortgage my house if i have to. My dog is a part of my family and he understands me and my family.
The most common pet in the United States is the cat, and the word cat was not even mentioned in this article. :(
Just walk down to your local deli, he may not mention cat but I bet he can slice a pound or two off.
Average Putz - Then donate some money to organizations to help the homeless. Just because you champion a different cause, it doesn't give you the right to bash someone else's. Personally, I'd rather spend my money on animal rescue organizations, and on the animals I've personally rescued. If I want to cremate my beloved pet to honor his memory, that is my right. He made the world a better place for me, and I for him.
Actually, yes he does. I didn't see any libel there, just an honest opinion.
I had no choice. A city ordinance prevented me from burying my cat in my backyard.
"...and the word cat was not even mentioned in this article."
Cats suck. There.
Said the Cheetah.......
Dogs and cats give us the most unconditional love there is. They are our family members, part of our pack. They cannot help themselves like most people. Granted the homeless situation is a whole different issue, one in which many of us support and help out with. For the pets we have rescued we won the lotto that pays in love, and loyalty. We spend what we need to and want to because they are ours to care for. Yes, I have given up some things I wanted for the care and expense of sick animals. My choice completely.
The only reason Americans spend so much on their pets is because they love us "unconditionally" Its what every man and woman craves anywhere in the world. We all could learn a valuable lesson as a society just from them on how to treat one another.
Agreed, Dennis.
Pets do not replace people
...and people do not replace pets.
When I was a kid, my Dad always buried our pets in a hole in the ground on our property. If it was a small animal like a kitten, we might put it in a shoebox first. I have fond memories of those pets, and have photos of some of them, but I really don't feel the need to visit their gravesites or memorialize them in any way.
I like animals a lot, have three cats, and support the World Wildlife Fund, but sometimes folks do go a bit overboard on their pets. We have a vet here in town that even puts braces on dogs' teeth and sells life insurance for your pet. Come on, people.
Does Oakey's Funeral Home use the same cremation retort for its human and animal customers?
Probably not. My dad worked for a different company and they had separate retorts, a large one for humans and a smaller one for pets. It's not a matter of sanitation; the retorts run too hot for that to be an issue. It's simply too expensive to use a regular retort for a small animal. Also, some states have laws against using the same retort for both humans and animals; others do not.
I inspected these units, among other sources, for many years, and I had to observe them in full operating mode. The most popular animal cremation unit in the area was at a veterinary clinic, and it was also the worst, it's closed now. The best cremation unit was sparkling clean and the staff was attentive to details and as respectful as if they were performing human cremations. I selected that place for my own dogs' cremations.
Visit a pet cemetary/cremation facility before you might need it and ask all your questions then.
The economy can't be that bad if people have money to waste on this.
Kristin:
You may see it as a "waste", but my animals never stole from me, never disrespected me, loved me whether I have make up on or not...were loyal and loved me unconditionally, which is why just yesterday, the two gravemakers I paid $4700 for were installed at their grave sites.
No human is capable of giving the unconditional love an animal gives.
That is very touching Debi. You reminded me of a dog I had who's passing devastated me. She loved me unconditionally and I have never had a pet since.
However, I buried her by her favorite creek and she would probably have been pissed if I spent $4700 on her grave, but I think people should spend their money however they want. It is their money after all.
Btw, although I am inclined to agree with you, don't give up on humans yet. I know my childrens' love is unconditional. So hang in there.
Spellchecker that may be the best line in all of these. Your right if your animal could communicate with the owners they would probably say don't spend the money burying me help another animal or something like that. I would have never thought of looking at it like that.............Brilliant.
Spellchecker did the best thing in my opinion too. All of my departed companions are on the farm with me......where we had the best times.
myspellcheckerisbroken:
Thanks for the kind words. I do love my child and grandchildren, but they're human and they make hurtful mistakes. I would still do anything for them. With my animals, there is total freedom from the frailties of humans.
As far as "spreading the wealth" to help other animals in need, absolutely. There are many organizations I support, including one of my favorites, the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. It's where abused and crippled circus elephants are sent to live out their life in pure heaven. Besides personally supporting them, all family and friends know instead of buying me a gift, to use that money and donate to the Sanctuary in my name.
Animals don't have a voice and I try and assist giving them that voice.
@Debi
I had to put down my beloved pet two years ago I still grieve, but I knew that my husband wanted to retire in another state so I had her cremated and I keep her ashes in a curio cabinet along with a book of my favorite pictures of her and some keepsakes. I did not like the first cabinet so I got another nicer one and yes there were others that said I spent too much. But I was glad I did it because we did move and I had her ashes with me. Not in the truck. I don't think I could have left with out her.
But that's the one thing that motivated me about my dog was her unconditional love. I know that I have family but no one will ever love me like that again.
Ethelouise: This Monday, the 17th will be the first anniversary of the death of my "homegirl" Missy. This little cat managed to get inside my soul, so I understand how you feel.
Although we may have many different pets in our lives and love them all, some seem to have that extra special bond more than others.
I will tell you, some pet will have hit the jackpot if you ever decide to open your heart again. Take care.
Looks like unconditional love is a concept that you and a few others here can't wrap your heads around,Kristin.
I agree with Kristin, that this is a good sign for the economy. When the number of people who have disposable income available to honor their beloved departed companions is increasing, that is a good trend. I make no judgement on the validity of the process - it is their money to spend as they wish (much better than buying drugs to enrich the cartels, or buying Chinese crap at Walmart.)
People who don't have enough cash to buy gasoline for the drive to work cannot pay for pet funerals and headstones. If more can now afford the funerals - hooray for the economy. Since we have shipped most of our manufacturing to China, we must invent and expand some new service industries.
Yeah, I know, it's "their money", but still sad. We collectively spend more on our pets than we do on orphans. I miss my beloved cat, but I wouldn't bury him a freaking mausoleum so that my descendants and future generations would know that "Fluffy" existed and played with string.
There are no orphans now - only foster children. And we (state governments) spend plenty on them. Fostering is a huge and growing industry. Many of these kids would be better off in a well-run orphanage, as some foster families use the poor unfortunates as cash cows. Many of the pets who receive funerals are probably treated better, but the money spent in the name of the foster children would likely be more.
My pets showed me more love, affection, and respect than most people EVER have. One is buried in Hartsdale and the other was cremated and has a place of honor on my desk. Nothing I could do was too good for them. Human beings come in a sorry second to them!
Very well said. I agree completely.
I take it you're both single.
it's a dumb animal,join the human race.
My "dumb animal" has been a better friend and companion to me for the past 18 years than some of my "human" family members.
Look at what most of the human race contributes to society, chuck. Murder, rape, theft, nothing but pain and misery. Animals do not know these things. They are capable of unconditional love. Once you can wrap your tiny mind around that, you'll understand why some of us consider our animals more important than most people.
My cat steals. He kills, too. He had his cojones removed, so he doesn't has the desire to rape.
HAVE, pj, HAVE! :)
I know people are always horrified when people spend money, theirs or not, on things we think are a "waste". I agree, and can think of about 1K examples of expenses I can think of off the top of my head I believe are better spent elsewhere. Simple one-donate your daily coffee run, get a coffeee pot and donate the savings to charity. However, I am in-limbo here on my opinions. On the one hand, I am nervous about anyone tugging on someone's heartstrings at an emotional time. This includes the funeral director "offering" expensive items the decedent would never want and the grieving family cannot afford. Example: Widow about to sign for a $3,5000 casket (that Costco can deliver in 24 hours for $995) and $1K "lining" for a grave. In that scenario, luckily, one person with the same common sense of the decedent came home, stepped in and said "Dad would be furious for spending all this money Mom doesn't have". On the other hand, it may make people grieving somehow less upset if they spend something, rather than bury Fluffy in the backyard or just have Dad cremated with no cermonies whatsoever.
I can see how many wouldn't understand this and it certainly could go to the extreme in cost etc. Yet at the same time we had a very lonely family member who had a pet dog for fifteen years who helped keep them from feeling isolated and depressed. He helped them through each day and kept their spirits up. He was a valued companion to them. He was never overpampered with ridiculous things it wasn't affordable and its not the kind of thing they would do anyway. His death was very difficult and everyone pitched in for cremation which was several hundred dollars and a small wooden container with a photograph so that his memory could stay with them to console them. Do understand I am well aware of societies woes and difficulties, and I'm in disagreement too with the extremes in these pet cases. Yet the simple cremation helped them through what was a genuine grief. That pet dog was more than a pet and companion he was, all of the family felt, what one would call a "service pet" who really assisted lifting their spirits. There is no price tag one can put on what that pet provided for fifteen years.
There is no price tag one can put on what that pet provided for fifteen years.
You could not have said this better or more clearly. The Hell with the people who have no feelings or idiots like the replies from 'nyforeclosuredefenseattorney' and 'averageputz' and 'kristen'
That was pretty rude, DOTYCAT.
Possibly, but it sounds like she calls them like she sees them. My kind of gal.
Different ideas on love and commitment means different views on what is important. I personally have had engraved bricks made and inserted in a sidewalk memorial that exists for pet lovers at the Pomona, CA Inland Humane Society headquarters where I and anyone who loves their departed beloved can be reminded of their existence. In addition I have both my Persian, Pochaco and my Corgi, Cody in their cremation boxes at my home to remind me of the many, many years of my time I was blessed with their friendship and love and respect. Anybody can have an opinion but should not be prejudiced towards other people's beliefs.
I like my cats better than most people. When my 2 cats die I'm not going to throw them away like trash. They will be cremated and put in an urn. When I die,their ashes will be spread with mine.
Unconditional Love....................
Dear God,
If there are no dogs in heaven, can I go where they go?
I think they are in heaven - God saved them on Noah's ark, so I'm sure we'll see them again.
There'll be more dogs in Heaven than you can throw a stick to.
I believe there's actually a place in Heaven for animals - most children who report seeing Heaven via near-death experiences say it's full of animals. What better way to spend eternity?
People can spend their own money however the hell they choose! Just because someone wants to spend money on burying their pet doesn't mean they are bad for not helping the homeless or orphans...and whose to say they don't do that also? How dare anyone pass judgement on someone doing something that they want that has nothing to do with you!!!
Go Blackhawks
Go Wings! if there is a hockey season!
absoilutely, couldnt have said it better. Its not the "publics" money it is that persons money, so let them spend it on what they want.
To all the people who piss and moan about people spending money on their animals: How many people WASTE money on stupider stuff like oh I dont know "ILLEGAL DRUGS"??? You want to bitch and complain, why dont they dontate their "drug" money to charity and whatever???
Leave the pet lovers alone.
How about the wasted billions of dollars spent on political campaigns? Now THAT's stupid.
And no, I'm not trying to make this a political discussion. I side with the pet-lovers on this one. LOL...that sounds so mild. I love my dogs better than people. They are my hairy four-legged children, and I can only hope they meet me at Rainbow Bridge. There's a hole in my heart for each one that has passed on.
All I can say is"get a life"
you're a JERK!!!! Why even be on this forum. It's about caretakers of their companions furbabies and friends, I totally understand. I've cremated ALL my cats that have passed on and buried animals that were wild, but died tragic death hit by car etc... get a LIFE
I'd like to but I may get yours and that would SUCK!
I understand it is a severe loss when you lose an animal but going this far?? really?? It just shows that Americans are overly spoiled. If you have that much money to poor into your animal how about helping another human being that is starving instead of your animal getting a pretty new casket!
Screw that, I don't give a crap about anyone i don't know. Besides it's my money and i will spend it how i want... I earned it. Let everyone else do the same thing i do. WORK!
I have given a lot to so many people, it's amazing, and so have my two sisters. One of my brothers-in-law said he never met three more generous sisters and it's true. However, I can tell you that a simple thank you would be nice to hear and that doesn't happen. I practically furnished a friends new house who couldn't afford furniture and he was thrilled. A year later, he sent me a phone bill for $89.00. I couldn't believe that. I had made a call to Canada which I thought was covered under his phone plan. I also gave a lot of new stuff to someone who split from his wife. I pay for these dish sets, microwaves, sheets and towels out of my own pocket, so it would be nice to hear "thanks." My sister has sheltered people in her home for years and never got a thanks either and she is the soul of kindness. People spend on their pets as a way of saying thanks for all their loyalty and love. Sorry to say, but you seldom get that loyalty and love from people.
Matteo, I think you should start shopping at GoodWill, only buy clothes that are on clearance there: you are allotted 2 pairs of shoes, 2 pair of jeans, 7 pair of underwear (one for each day of the week), 4-5 shirts, and a jacket or coat for the winter. Then stop drinking anything other than water (and not in a bottle, that's bad for the environment!!!) limit your driving habits to work and the grocery store to save gas, make all of your own gifts from found items in nature to give to your loved ones, only spend $3 a meal on food for yourself and your significant other, recycle and reuse everything, collect rainwater for your garden, only use natural sunlight in your home and go to bed at sunset to conserve electricity, donate your cell phone/iPhone/HDTV television/computeriPad/iPod to those less fortunate, adopt 5-6 troubled kids, and donate all the money you save by being the world's greatest do-gooder to some organization that claims it exists to "save the children" (but I hate to break it to you, it probably just takes your money to line the pockets of the board of directors). There, there, do you feel better about yourself now? And now that you are completely humble, pious and altruistic - and living it for all the world to see - please, go carry on with your judging of others.
Matteo - the same argument could be made for getting your family member a pretty new casket, why not throw them in the ground and use the money to feed the hungry?
My little Chihuahua, Peanut Anne, died a year ago and I had her cremated. I have her ashes in my home and plan to have hers mingled with mine when the Grim Reaper comes to call on me. In the meantime, I am making a small memorial for her in my flower bed. I also plan to plant a tree or bush in her memory next spring. She was the best thing that ever happened to me aside from my late mom.
An organization called PugRescue takes Chinese Pug ashes to China to be spread around.
It's none of anybody else's business what someone spends their money on, it is theirs to do with as they please. Animals provide a lot of love, happiness and comfort to humans. They bring animals into hospitals, rehabilitation units and nursing homes. They proovide a great service to us. You will never find a human that will love you as unconditionally as a pet can. They bring us comfort when we are sad or sick, and they give much joy and companionship to people who have no one in their lives and who would otherwise be very lonely. You are only being a responsible pet owner if you are providing all the medical care your pet needs. And how someone chooses to care for their pet in death is up to them. How wonderful that people care so much for their beloved pets. I love my animals with all my heart they are a member of my family. I will do every thing in my power to give them the best possible life that can possibly be had. I will be extremely sad when they leave me, and I'm not sure at this point of what I will choose to do as far weather I will bury them or cremate them or what I will do. But what ever it is I hope that they would approve. The plight of humans has absolutely nothing to do with this story. Our animals provide us with love, affection, attention, comfort and joy. And for this we are eternally grateful and I hope they feel just as loved.
It's your money spend it however you want I agree with that. But some of the people's stories about how much better and more important their pets were to them than family made me feel really sad for them. We have always had pets one of my sisters works for the ASPCA and saves animals. We all get rescue animals and enjoy having animals around. But no pet has ever been more important to me than any family member. I guess we are lucky to have such great people in our family compared to a lot on here. If your pet is more important than family you either have bad family members or your the bad one and that is very sad now I'm not saying it isn't true for some of you but it must be a very bad family situation.
Yes, some people do have a very bad family situation. gtouch, it's good that you can see that you are truly blessed and are thankful for having a good family who loves and cares for you. Some people really only do have their animals. Yes, it's sad, but it's a fact of life and I'm sure it always has been for thousands of years. I'm just glad they have that instead of nothing or nobody.
Agreed Gtouch. Excellent post.
ASPCA? So, 60 days to being killed.
Well if its MY money, what does it matter if there are homeless hungry people. I am not using tax money. What I do with my money is my business.......
I enjoyed my pets and cared for them diligently for their natural lifetime and yes they were part of the family. After they died each was cremated and buried in the shade of the tree where they enjoyed the lush grass for so many years (even tho they were house pets). But no, I did not spend lots of $$ for a funeral or elaborate burial for them, instead I donated to a local animal rescue in hopes of enhancing the life of a living creature as I can do no more for the one already passed. I will have no more dogs as on a retirement budget I can't afford the vet bills. Sad that people will prey upon the grief of those who lose their pets all in the name of greed.
Y ou and I are on the same page. You love your pet and when they die you bury them and remember. I have photos of my cat Bix. Afrer a pet dies, it's GONE. Cry and later remember the fun he/she was. Morgage my house? Write out a check for 5,000 dollars. I would donate to a animal shelter quicker.
Sorry, I loved my cat, Bix, like she was my best friend. I live alone and she was my buddy. I would tell her jokes and dance silly dances for her. She caught mice and was just the best. I had her for twenty years. When she died I wrapped her in a clean towel and buried her in my back yard. It never occured to me to have her cremated or buy a cat casket. This was between me and her. She didn't care about money. We parted beautifully. It was her time to go. Pets die. I don't understand how people can spend 10,000 dollars so their pet can live in suffering for another few months. My girlfriends sister is into all that New Age stuff. When her cat was close to dying she called a professional "Pet Psychic" to see if the cat wanted to stay or go. The psychic told her the cat wanted to go. How much that costs I don't know. Scam? New Age crap? I guess you know what I would think.
When my beloved dog was about to pass away, I knew that I had to find a place that I could have her cremated. I found out there was a place in Wichita, KS run by a very nice women named Penny that had a business that did pet funerals and cremations. We talked in the morning and I had to call her that afternoon to tell her that it was time. She even met me at the Vet's office and cried right along with me on the floor when my dog passed away. She took my dog to her place of business after I left and the next day, I drove over there and she had a room setup for "viewing" even though you might be cremating your pet. My dog was lying in a casket and looked like she was asleep. I stayed in there as long as I wanted to and grieved and cried for a long time. I put my dogs favorite toy with her and picked out her urn. I will never forget that. I am tearing up as I write this for Penny was an Angel to me that day. She even held pet berevement sessions for people that had lost their pets and had issues getting over it. She had a licensened therapists come in and it was free of charge to people who used her services.
My husband of 40+ years passed away 2/3/2011. My sisters advised me a small dog would be a wonderful companion. This past April I was blessed with a very small chihuahua. I never realized how much company a little dog could be. I named him Rinnie in memory of my late husband and a dog he had while he was growing up. Now my little Rinnie is the love of my life for more reasons than one. He is recognized as a service animal as I am a widow living alone. He is entitled to all the rights the ADA extends to any service animal. I will be having a one year old birthday party for him in March 2013.
Happy early birthday Rinnie!!!! Congrats on finding your forever home.
my dog, Tito, was fine one day, got sick and died within 24 hours, he was only 8 years old. He was my friend, my buddy, and like a child to me. I had him cremated and he is in a pretty wood box with a picture of him. I will always love him and no matter what people say he wasn't just a pet, he was family. Its been 7 years and I still miss him and I still cry about him sometimes. You can't just turn off love.
I agree with you 1000%. I had a mutt as a child and I still have his picture in my living-room. I now have a chihuahua and he is my buddy. He goes everywhere with me, sometimes even in the bathroom. Again I agree with you. People tell he's just a dog. How would they like me to tell them their baby is just a child?
A @!$%#ing dog is not a child you idiot! What the @!$%# is wrong with people nowadays? I don't give a damn what anybody says, dogs are not on the same level as humans!
Angelo Belcher wrote, dogs are not on the same level as humans!
Of course, you are right. In this house dogs are above humans. I always hate it when people say things like that.
It is only in YOUR opinion that dogs are not on the same level as humans. It doesn`t make it so. If only a tiny fraction of people had all the qualities that dogs have, it really would be a wonderful world.
I am starting a greeting card business that addresses mile stones in pet lives such as: birthdays, home coming / adoption, anniversaries of events in pet lives, "missing you", just because and yes, the passing on of our beloved pet friends.
My little chihuahua is very much a family member after the passing of my late husband. Rinnie I go everywhere together as he is considered a service animal because I am a widow living alone. He has all the rights granted to any other service animal.
I think coming up with that card for being "neutered" will be tough. Let's see "I know you licked down low for play......but now their gone since you've been spayed"
gtouch
"I think coming up with that card for being "neutered" will be tough. Let's see "I know you licked down low for play......but now their gone since you've been spayed"
-----Great. Now I am going to Doggie Hell for laughing so hard at that.
Gtouch: Try spay versus neutered. Then think how stupid your attempt at humor seems.