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

The Tradition of Burying Our Pets: A Reflection of Human-Animal Bonding.

In an era where humans have become increasingly accepting of the importance of human-animal relationships, it's surprising that until recently, there was a taboo surrounding the burial of pets. However, this practice has been around for centuries, with public pet cemeteries first appearing in Europe and North America in the late 19th century.

The Spanish city of Barcelona has recently announced its plans to invest in establishing the country's first public pet cemetery, set to open next year. The estimated annual number of burials is around 7,000, a significant increase from the previous private sector service. This development serves as a poignant reminder that our relationships with animals are complex and multifaceted.

Historical records show that even in the past, when pets were often disposed of in rivers or sold for meat and skin, owners still chose to bury them with care and ceremony. The creation of pet cemeteries has evolved over time, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards human-animal relationships.

The epitaphs on historic gravestones reveal that pets were initially considered "loving friends" rather than members of the family. However, as the 20th century progressed, this perception shifted, and owners began to treat their animals with greater love and respect. The modern pet cemetery will likely reflect this shift in values.

A closer examination of pet cemeteries across time reveals striking similarities between past and present practices. One such similarity lies in the heartbreak and taboos surrounding animal grief. People continue to struggle to express their pain, often hiding it from public view due to fear of social repercussions. This phenomenon is not unique to pets; humans also face similar challenges when dealing with human loss.

The growing acceptance of human-animal relationships has led to an increase in pet cemeteries and other commemoration practices. While the financial aspect of these services may be out of reach for some, online forums and digital pet cemeteries provide alternative options for those who wish to honor their pets' memory.

Ultimately, the establishment of public pet cemeteries like Barcelona's serves as a testament to our evolving understanding of human-animal bonds. As society continues to recognize the importance of these relationships, we will likely see more acceptance and celebration of the ways in which humans grieve for their animal companions.
 
omg u no, it's kinda cool that ppl are startin 2 accept buryin pets 🤖💀 like it was always rite 2 giv ur furry friend a proper sendoff 4eva. i mean, who didnt grow up with a pet & had 2 hide the fact they were cryin when the vet said goodbye? 🐾😢 and now its all about celebratin the bond btwn humans & animals, which is def a good thing 🌈💕
 
its so cool that barcelona is getting its own public pet cemetery 🐾💔 i mean think about it we spend like half our lives with our pets and when they pass away we gotta find a way to deal with the loss lol what's crazy is how much our attitudes towards animals have changed over time. in the past they were just seen as commodities or disposable but now its all about love and respect 🤗

i would love to see some pretty diagrams of these pet cemeteries tho like, can you imagine a sprawling garden with headstones and flowers for all the furry friends who've gone before us? 🌼💕
 
I just got back from the most amazing hiking trip with my dog 🐶💨 and I was thinking about how much we need some real hiking trails around here. You know what's weird? How much I love walking on the pavement, it's like I'm in a different world or something. Anyway, have you ever noticed how many people are into succulents now? Like, they're everywhere 🌱💚. My aunt has this gorgeous cactus in her living room and it's literally the coolest thing ever. I mean, who needs a beach vacation when you can just stare at a prickly plant all day? 😂
 
You know what's crazy? I just got back from this awesome road trip to the beach last weekend 🏖️🚗 and saw the most adorable seagulls hanging out on the shore. They're like, totally stealing food from tourists 😂. But anyway, have you ever noticed how seagulls are like the ultimate symbol of freedom? Like, they can just fly wherever they want, no worries about owning a beach house or having a 401k 🤣. I think we humans could learn from their carefree attitude, especially when it comes to dealing with animal loss. I mean, who needs all that emotional baggage when you can just let go and enjoy the sunshine? 🌞
 
the fact that ppl still need a place 2 bury their pets says a lot about how attached we r 🐶💔. its not just about the pet, its about the bond we create w/ them & the pain we feel when they pass away 💀
 
🐶💔 I gotta say, it's kinda wild that people have been burying their pets for centuries now! It just goes to show how deeply connected we are with our furry friends, right? 🤗 But at the same time, can you believe some of these old epitaphs callin' 'em "lovin' friends" instead of family members? Like, what's up with that?! 😒

But for real though, it's awesome to see how pet cemeteries have evolved over time. And yeah, the pain and taboos surrounding animal grief are still super common. I mean, who hasn't felt like cryin' their eyes out when they lose a beloved pet? 💔 But hey, at least now we've got more options for commemoratin' our furry friends, whether it's in-person or online.

I'm curious to check out this new public pet cemetery in Barcelona, though. Maybe I'll get to see some pretty cool and quirky epitaphs there! 🤞 And who knows, maybe one day we'll have whole cities dedicated to celebratin' human-animal relationships 💕? A guy can dream, right?! 😊
 
I'm kinda stoked about this new pet cemetery in Barcelona 🐶💕, but at the same time I'm wondering how it's gonna affect the private sector services that already exist? It'll be interesting to see if they adapt or if it's a total game-changer 💸. And I get why people wanna bury their pets with care, but isn't it weird that we still consider animal loss as taboo-ish? 🤔 Like, shouldn't we just acknowledge our feelings and grieve like we do with human loss? 🙏 Anyway, I'm all for celebrating the bond between humans and animals - it's a beautiful thing ❤️.
 
🐾💀 I'm loving this trend of pet cemeteries popping up everywhere! It's about time we acknowledge the depth of human-animal connections 🤗. I mean, think about it - we spend thousands on fancy dog beds and designer cat toys, but when our furry friends pass away, they're just getting buried like trash? No way, let's give them some proper TLC 🙏. And can you imagine walking into a public pet cemetery in Barcelona with over 7k burials per year? Mind blown 💥! The fact that we're still struggling to express our grief for animal loss is a real thing, though 🤕. Online forums and digital cemeteries are a game-changer - finally, people can pay their respects without breaking the bank 💸. Bring on those pet cemeteries, and let's give our beloved pets the sendoff they deserve! 👏
 
omg 🤯 i mean, this is literally so beautiful! burying pets is like a rite of passage or something... it's like our society finally caught up with how much love we have to give to animals 😂. and can you believe barca is getting its own public pet cemetery?! that's just crazy talk 🤪 i mean, what's next? public human cemetery for those who can't afford to pay their parents back? just kidding (kinda) but seriously, it's amazing how much our values have shifted over the years. from loving friends to family members... we've come a loooong way! 💕
 
I think it's kinda weird that people are only now realizing the significance of burying pets... like, what took us so long? 🤔 I mean, I get it, not everyone can afford private cemeteries or online tributes, but still... it's a big deal for pet owners. And yeah, it's interesting how attitudes towards humans and animals have changed over time... we're getting more accepting of sharing our lives with furry friends, but we still struggle to talk about the loss of them in public 🤷‍♂️. I'm not saying it's wrong or anything, but maybe we should be celebrating the fact that pet cemeteries are becoming more common? It's like... finally, we're acknowledging that our pets are part of our families too 💕.
 
Back
Top