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

The Burial of Pets: A Reflection of Changing Human-Animal Relationships.

In modern society, we often find ourselves at a crossroads when it comes to dealing with the loss of our beloved pets. While human cemeteries have been around for centuries, providing a space for grieving families to say goodbye, the practice of burying our departed pets has been largely overlooked - until recently.

The recent announcement by Barcelona that they will be investing in the establishment of their first public pet cemetery is a significant development in this area. As someone who has spent years researching the history of modern pet burial practices, I was surprised and intrigued by this news.

Historically, people often disposed of their dead pets in rivers or sold them for meat and skin, but times have changed. In the 19th century, graves were often dedicated to "loving friends" or "devoted companions," suggesting that pets were considered important members of the family. By the early 20th century, this relationship had deepened further. Gravestones would now frequently reference reunions rather than departures.

This shift in attitude towards our relationships with animals is reflective of a larger cultural change in how we approach death and grief. In today's society, where close bonds between humans and animals are becoming increasingly accepted, it's not surprising to see us adopting rituals resembling those we use to mourn the loss of our closest human relationships.

However, not everyone will have access to this new form of pet cemetery. At an estimated cost of €200 per service, it is likely that only a select few in Barcelona will be able to afford this opportunity to grieve. For many others, there are still other ways to commemorate the relationship and express grief - such as keeping cremated remains at home or spreading ashes in a meaningful location.

The connection between us and our pets can be just as strong and significant as our relationships with other humans. Yet, we often struggle to find an appropriate outlet for expressing our pain, hiding heartache from fear of social repercussions. But perhaps this new development will help pave the way for greater acceptance of human-animal grief in society.

In conclusion, while pet cemeteries have been around for centuries, their recent resurgence is a reflection of changing attitudes towards the role of animals in our lives and our approach to death and grief. Whether one chooses to bury or cremate their departed pets, there are many ways to honor their memory and express grief - and with this new development, perhaps we can begin to heal and find closure for ourselves and our beloved pets.
 
I THINK THIS IS SUCH A COOL IDEA!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME WE STARTED TREATING OUR PETS LIKE THE FAMILY MEMBERS THEY ARE!!! I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR CENTURIES ALREADY - JUST LOOK AT ALL THE GRAVESTONES FROM THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES THAT REFER TO REUNIONS RATHER THAN DEPARTURES!!! IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING SAD, IT'S ABOUT CELEBRATING THE TIME WE HAD WITH OUR FURRY FRIENDS!!!

BUT WHAT REALLY GETS ME IS HOW EXPENSIVE THESE PET CEMETERIES ARE GOING TO BE!!! €200 IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT FEELS LIKE SAYING GOODBYE TO A FAMILY MEMBER!!! I HOPE MORE MUNICIPALITIES START TO OFFER AFFORDABLE OPTIONS SO EVERYONE CAN GRIEVE IN PEACE!!! 🐾💔
 
I feel so bad for those who have lost their furry friends and can't afford a proper burial 🐾😔. It's heartbreaking to think that some people might have to choose between giving their pet a decent sendoff or dealing with the financial burden of everyday life. Meanwhile, I'm glad Barcelona is taking steps towards creating a space for pet owners to grieve in a meaningful way 💕. Maybe it'll inspire other cities to follow suit and create more options for pet owners who want to honor their pets' memory 🌱. It's clear that our bond with animals has deepened over time, and it's essential we acknowledge the pain of losing them ❤️.
 
idk why ppl gotta make a big deal about it but i think its kinda cool that barc is gettin into pet cemeteries now 🤔🐶 they should do somethin similar in other cities too. like, we spend so much time w/ our pets and when they die, we're all messed up. its not like we can just say sorry & move on. 🤕 crematin or buryn is just one way to deal w/ the pain. some ppl might not be able to afford it but thats okay too, theres other ways 2 show love & respect for our pets 🌼💚
 
🐶💔 I think it's so beautiful that people are finally starting to recognize the importance of grieving over the loss of our furry friends 🤩. It's like, they're not just pets, they're part of the family 💕. And yeah, it's crazy how some places don't have affordable options for pet cemeteries, but I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to honor their memory too... like creating a special memory box or scattering ashes in a beautiful spot 🌿.

I also love that this new development is kinda breaking down the stigma around human-animal grief 💪. It's not just about us humans getting over ourselves, but actually acknowledging that our pets have brought so much joy and love into our lives ❤️. And who knows, maybe one day we'll see more cities investing in pet cemeteries so everyone can say goodbye to their fur babies with dignity 🌟.
 
The fact that it took Barcelona to do something like this is kinda mind blown... I mean, we're already seeing a rise in pet cafes, adoption services, and even "pet funerals" (where they dress up the deceased pet in tiny outfits lol). It's like people are finally starting to recognize the emotional connection we have with our pets 🐾💕. The €200 price tag is still a barrier for many though - I'm sure there are plenty of pet owners who'd love to do this for their fur babies, but can't afford it. Maybe one day we'll see more affordable options or even community-run pet cemeteries? 💖
 
I'm not sure I buy that pet cemeteries are the answer 🤔. €200 per service is just outrageous! Who's going to make an exception for their goldfish or their cat that's been living in a cardboard box? And what about people who can't afford it? Are they expected to just leave their pets to rot in the backyard or the streets? The article talks about how our attitudes towards animals are changing, but doesn't touch on the fact that not everyone has access to decent resources. Maybe we should be looking at more affordable alternatives instead of just catering to the wealthy 🤑
 
I feel like it's about time we started treating our furry friends with a bit more respect when they pass away 🐾💔. I mean, think about it, dogs and cats are often considered part of the family, right? It's crazy to me that for so long we've just been disposing of them or selling their bodies without any thought for the owner's feelings.

I remember losing my first dog as a kid and feeling like I was going through grief. My parents didn't really know how to handle it, but now I would have loved some sort of ritual or ceremony to help process my emotions. The idea of a public pet cemetery is not only beautiful but also necessary 🌳.

Of course, €200 might be out of reach for a lot of people, which is frustrating. But maybe this will start a conversation about making pet loss more accessible and affordable in the future 💸. At least now we can all agree that losing our pets is just as painful as losing a human loved one, and that's something to work with 🤗.
 
💔🐶 I mean, who wouldn't want to pay €200 to say goodbye to their furry friend in style? Like, if I had that kind of cash lying around, I'd totally spring for a pet cemetery spot too... when the time comes 🕰️. But hey, at least it's good to see people acknowledging that their pets are more than just pets – they're family members with feelings and memories too 💕. Just wish we didn't have to get to that point, you know? Life is already ruff enough without having to plan for our pet's funeral 🐾😔
 
I'm low-key excited about Barcelona's new public pet cemetery 🌳💔 I mean, it's about time we acknowledge the importance of our furry (and scaly) friends in our lives. It's crazy how far we've come since people used to just toss their dead pets into rivers or sell them for food. The fact that graves now reference reunions instead of goodbyes speaks volumes about how much our relationships with animals have evolved.

I think this is a great step towards normalizing human-animal grief, and I'm hoping it'll encourage more cities to follow suit 🤞 Not everyone can afford €200 per service, though, which is pretty cringeworthy. But hey, for those who can, it's a beautiful way to say goodbye and celebrate the memories they shared with their pets.

It's also worth noting that this trend might be a sign of a bigger cultural shift - we're becoming more comfortable accepting our emotions and showing vulnerability when it comes to grief. And if pet cemeteries are the key to unlocking that, then I'm all for it 🌈
 
🤔 I'm low-key obsessed with the idea of pet cemeteries getting a major resurgence. Like, can you imagine walking through a peaceful park or garden with a gravestone that says "RIP Fido" 🐶 or "In loving memory of Whiskers"? It's so sweet! I feel like we're finally starting to normalize the grief process for our pets, and I'm all for it. €200 might seem steep, but think about how many times you've spent money on your pet over the years... it's not that much when you consider the emotional value 💸. Plus, it's a great way to honor their memory and create a sense of closure. Not everyone will be able to afford it, I get it, but for those who can, it could be a beautiful way to celebrate the love we share with our furry friends 🐾💕
 
You know what's wild? I just tried that new vegan ice cream shop downtown 🍦 and OMG, their cookie dough flavor is insane! They use this crazy-creative process to get the perfect chunky bits of cookie dough in every scoop. I'm a total sucker for it now 😂. Anyway, back to pets... have you ever noticed how some breeds just seem more deserving of their own cemetery? Like, what's up with that? 🤔
 
I think its pretty cool that Barcelona is startin a public pet cemetery 🐾💀. I mean, in my opinion, we should be able to grieve just as much for our pets as we do for our humans. They bring so much love and companionship into our lives, it feels only right to have a special place to say goodbye when they pass away 💕.

I also think its great that there are now more options available for pet owners who can't afford the €200 price tag 🤑. Like, my own grandma used to keep cremated remains of her cat at home and she said it really helped with the grieving process 💗.

I'm all for us accepting human-animal grief as a society 🤝. It's not just about humans anymore, our pets are part of the family too 👪. And who knows, maybe this new development will help reduce the stigma around pet loss and make people feel more comfortable opening up about their feelings 💬.
 
just imagine having a proper spot to say goodbye to your fur baby 🐾💔 it's crazy how much thought is put into human cemeteries but not so much for our pets😂 anyway, i think it's awesome that barcelona is starting one - maybe it'll inspire more cities to do the same 💕 and yeah, €200 might be a bit steep for some people, but like, you only live once (or should i say, pet 🐶)
 
🐾💔 the idea of public pet cemeteries is a game changer 🤩. I mean think about it, we're already investing in fancy dog parks and cat cafes so why not give our furry friends the respect they deserve when they pass away? 🤷‍♀️ it's all about how we approach death and grief, right? 💀 the fact that people are willing to spend €200 for a pet cemetery says a lot about how much our pets mean to us. I'm not saying everyone can afford it, but for those who can, it's an opportunity to grieve in a way that feels authentic and meaningful 🌼. and let's be real, having a dedicated space to say goodbye to our pets is so much better than just dumping them in the river or selling them for meat 🙅‍♀️.
 
🐾💔 I'm so down with Barcelona's new pet cemetery idea! It's amazing how people are finally recognizing the emotional significance of losing a furry friend 🤗. I mean, we've been burying humans in cemeteries for centuries, but it takes a while to acknowledge that our pets hold just as much value in our lives 💕.

It's crazy to think about how far pet burial practices have come - from rivers and meat sales to full-blown graves with gravestones that say "reunions" instead of "departures" 😂. And now, with the cost being a bit steep for many, I get it. But hey, maybe this will be the start of something beautiful 🌼.

I love how the article highlights that our relationships with animals are becoming more accepted and valued 💖. It's about time we start giving grief for losing our pets the same respect as losing a human 👫. And who knows, maybe one day we'll have pet cafes where you can go to grieve over a cup of coffee ☕️? 😂
 
idk how many ppl r gonna be able 2 afford this 🤑€200 is a bit steep 4 some families i no who lost their pets 2 cancer or old age they wud rather have a simple ceremony @ home n not waste that kinda $$$ anyway i think its great that barcelona is doing this tho, its good 2 see ppl r startin 2 take pet loss more seriously 🐾💔
 
🐾💔 I'm kinda surprised that more cities aren't doing this yet, you know? Like, we're already super invested in pet cemeteries, but it's still a pretty expensive option for most people 🤑. I think it's awesome that Barcelona is leading the way though! 🌞 Maybe it'll start a movement and people will be more open to talking about their grief 💬. I mean, our pets are like part of the family too, right? 😊 It's crazy how attitudes towards animals have changed over time... in the 19th century, they were literally just seen as commodities 🤯. But now we're recognizing that our pets bring so much joy and love into our lives 💕. Can't wait to see what other ways people come up with to honor their furry friends 💗
 
🐶😢💀[A dog is shown crying over a grave, with a headstone that reads "I'll never understand why you left me"] 🤣

🚮💸[A person is shown trying to sneakily bury their pet in the trash, only to be foiled by a giant spider] 😂

🏞️🌻[A beautiful pet cemetery with lush greenery and colorful flowers, surrounded by happy memories of beloved pets] 🐾💕

🤷‍♂️😒[A person is shown shrugging and saying "I don't know what to do" as their pet passes away, with a cartoon representation of the human-animal connection] 🐶💔
 
It's so sad that some people in Barcelona won't be able to afford the pet cemetery 🐾💔. I think it's a great reminder that everyone's experience with grief is different, just like how every human has their own unique relationship with animals 💕. Maybe instead of focusing on the cost, we should focus on making spaces for grieving families to come together and share their feelings 🤝. We can also learn from history - back in the 19th century, pets were considered important members of the family too! 👍 It's all about acceptance and finding ways to honor our beloved animals 💗.
 
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