Pet Parent Estate Planning

Family Pet Plan

One should always discuss final arrangements for your pets with friends and family.

You may leave instructions in your will directing your executor to deposit an amount in a bank account to be used by the caretaker to provide for the reasonable keep and care of your pet(s). You should designate a per day rate for as long as the pet is expected to live, in addition to setting aside funds for medical emergencies. Also one should determine upon the death of the pet(s) where the balance of the estate is to go to (i.e. humane society, pet rescue shelter).

Place your will in a safe yet easily found location and make sure your friends and family are aware of where these records are stored. (Safe deposit box, trustee, etc) otherwise your instructions may not be found until well after other arrangements may have been made concerning your pets.

Write a Pet Will

Designate a friend or family member to be the trustee of your pet after you're gone or designate a backup individual or adoption plan at shelter/humane society.

Note: The pet's age, Type of food and feeding instructions, Exercise Instructions, Special need, Medical History, Indoor/outdoor preferences, Spaying/Neutering instructions, Authorization for Euthanasia to alleviate suffering, Burial or cremation/scattering wishes.

For peace of mind, I.D. micro-chipping your pet ensures that executors have the ability to confirm identity of your pet.

Establishing a Pet Trust

“Any person may establish a pet trust for the care of designated domestic or pet animals. A pet trust may provide for the care of individually named animals, but any animal provided for under the trust must be living at the time of the trustor’s death… If the trust instrument makes no provision for termination of the trust, the trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust or when all trust assets are exhausted, whichever occurs first.”

Guardians are unable to leave a pet money in a will. Pet parents can pass on a trust leaving their pets to a new guardian to cover the expense of your pet's lifetime care. You may specify provisions and specific instructions, but without the help of a professional these can be difficult to enforce. Almost all states have statutory pet trusts which can be added to your will. Some guardians also leave a gift on behalf of their pets to a local animal shelter.

Pet Funerals and Memorial Tips

A Funeral for a Pet Catfish

While some families choose to lay out their pet to view, others may prefer to hold the vigil with their pet safely inside his/her casket. This family from Brooklyn, NY decided to have a wake and home burial for their pet catfish.

The family describes their dear friend, "We couldn't agree on a name and he seemed like such a special little guy from the start so we simply named him 'Catfish - The Cutest Fish in the World'. He is a Striped Raphael. We have had him for about 7 years now and he has always amazed us."

As you can see, pet funerals are an important way to remember a special pet friend, whether furry, feathered, scaled or finned. Doing something on behalf of a beloved companion and creating memorial art is healing.

Tips to Create a Meaningful Tribute to your Beloved Pet

We recognize it is difficult when someone you love or a beloved pet passes away. The Backyard Burial Company provides families the information and goods to help design loving tributes to their pets as well as pet funerals, burials and cremation.

When a pet dies, preparing a home funeral vigil can be a healing way to say farewell.

Bringing loved ones together to acknowledge the years of happy memories with your pet, brings us both peace and closure and allows the healing process to begin.

Funeral Flowers

We use flowers to decorate and beautify the casket, altar and grave space. White flowers are reminiscent of heaven. Yellow flowers symbolize earth. Purple flowers are used for mourning.

Memorial Photos

Remind us of our beloved pet, happier times and cherished memories. Set up several favorite photos around the wake/altar.

Pet Treats and Toys

Arrange your pets favorite toys and treats as part of the altar to remind you what he/she loved best.

Pet Blankets and Sweaters

Inside the casket, lay your pet upon his/her favorite blanket. Some families prefer to dress their pet in his/her favorite sweater. Others may tuck the pets clothes or blankets inside the casket with their beloved pet. Your pet's favorite blanket may also be draped atop the casket for a personalized look and cozy feel.

Colored-Paper Cut-outs

Draw and cut out shapes that remind you of your pet. These paper cut-outs can be taped to the casket or laid out around the altar. Some people use dog bones for dogs or fish shapes for cats. Hearts are also a popular choice. Although any color you prefer may be used, certain colors are associated with healing: green and white.

Incense

Burning incense not only fills your home with pleasant smells, but is also used to promote healing. Although any fragrance of incense is part of a meaningful tribute to your pet, certain fragrances are associated with healing properties: amber, carnation, cedar, cinnamon, citron, citronella, cypress, eucalyptus, gardenia, honeysuckle, juniper, lavender, lemon, lotus, myrrh, peppermint, pine, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, and violet.

Candles

Candles give off soft warm light that is healing to the soul. Candles have a historic connection to our world, due to their use in rituals over the years. Candles can be used for meditation and focus and although any color may be used, certain colors are especially associated with promoting healing: magenta, turquoise, red, yellow, green, orange, blue, and lavender.

The above are just a few examples and ideas to help you create a healing and meaningful funeral or memorial tribute to your pet.

We hope these ideas inspire you and your family as you remember your pet together.

About Pet Cremation

About Pet Cremation

Cremation is the practice of reducing a body to compact easily portable ashes. Its simplicity and affordability make it a popular choice. With cremation a memorial service can be delayed at a later date so that family may be available to gather.

Families can request to witness their loved ones placement for cremation at most facilities. Each pet can be tracked through the cremation process with industry standard protocol ensuring identification.

With cremation the deceased is reduced to ashes through either incineration (flame based) or dissolution (water based) methods. Cremated remains can weigh 1 - 3 pounds depending on bone density, which is equivalent to about one-liter in volume.

Individual Pet Cremation Services

Approved cremation specialists follow professional cremation procedures to safeguard the identification of your beloved pet.

Each pet is accompanied by an Identification tag through the cremation process from their arrival at Backyard Burial. Documentation and an ID tag follow each pet through the entire cremation process.

What to do with Cremated Remains of a Loved One or Pet

Urns, Cremation Jewelry, Burial Urns, & Scattering

The cremated remains may be buried at home or cemetery, scattered, placed in memorial cremation jewelry, kept in a beautiful cremation urn for pets, placed in a burial urn or garden urn, or incorporated into memorial artwork such as personalized memorial portraits or added to a memorial reef.

Many families place save their pets ashes to be placed in the casket of a family member before the loved one is buried.

Ashes pose no threat to health or to the environment and ash scattering ceremonies do not require EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approval yet scattering laws may vary from state to state. Always check on the laws where you plan to scatter before doing so.