Where can you bury dogs?

February 15, 2024

Dogs are often described as man's best friend. When this loyal companion passes away, it is usually hard for us. It is not uncommon for older people to follow their four-legged friends soon after, so deep is the bond. It is therefore all the more understandable that more and more people want a proper funeral not only for themselves and their relatives, but also for their own dog.

Fortunately, a lot has changed in the last few decades and today there are a variety of ways to say goodbye to your furry friend with dignity. To be prepared for this terrible eventuality, we will inform you about everything you need to know.

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The options for a dog burial

When it comes to our funerals, we humans are amazingly creative and come up with the most unusual options. From space and air burials to diamond burials - there are hardly any limits. At least not without the necessary money.

Not everything is allowed in Germany, who would have thought? But when it comes to our beloved dogs, the rules have become pleasantly relaxed and as long as there is no valid reason against it, dog lovers have a pretty free hand when it comes to burying their four-legged friends.

Burying the dog in your own garden

An option that many people would probably like to have for themselves. To be buried in their own garden, with their own family. But while there are very strict regulations for us two-legged creatures and our own garden is not an option, it is no problem for dogs to be buried in their own garden.

The prerequisites for this are that no infectious disease or epidemic is the cause of death. In addition, the property must not be part of a water protection area. The immediate proximity to public paths or squares should also be avoided, but three to five meters should be sufficient.

The distance to the neighbor's property should also be maintained, or at least an agreement should be made. To prevent wild animals from getting the idea of digging up your dog's dead body, the grave should be deep enough at around 50 to 100 cm.

This also prevents toxic substances produced during decomposition from spreading into the environment.

Remember that graves sink significantly in the weeks following the burial. Therefore, when closing the grave, you should add a little more earth to the grave site - so that a small mound is created. Once this mound has settled, you can decorate the grave with a gravestone or a stone.

In any case, the ownership situation should be clear, because while burial on one's own property is virtually free, on public property it can be punished with a fine of up to 15,000 euros.

Therefore, tenants should ask their landlord for permission rather than letting their actions speak for themselves. However, if burial in the garden is not an option, there are fortunately still good alternatives.

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Cremating dogs

It's hard to believe, but almost 80% of people in Germany are now cremated and buried in an urn. It is also a popular and sensible option for dog lovers. However, a distinction must be made between group cremation and cremation for one animal alone. The costs can vary considerably and of course the latter option is more expensive. But the size of the animal can also be a cost factor. Ultimately, the approx. 100 - 300 euros for an individual cremation are certainly worthwhile, because this is the only way dog owners can get the ashes of their beloved dog back.

Anyone who receives an urn can of course place it on the fireplace at home or create a small memorial site, but there are also pet cemeteries or other options.

Cemetery for animals

There is also a cemetery for pets. It basically works in exactly the same way. Anyone who has ever had to bury a person knows that it is not cheap. And even with dogs, the cost can quickly add up to several hundred euros. The burial alone is a variable cost, but there is also the rent for the burial period, which is usually five years, and the cost of grave maintenance. In addition to the cremation, around 400 euros are due, depending on the effort involved.

Burying humans and animals together

A trend that is becoming increasingly popular is the joint burial of humans and animals. In Germany, this practice has not yet reached all parts of the world, but fortunately it is no longer a rarity. However, anyone who wants to be buried with their four-legged friend should consider the issue early on. Not every cemetery allows this yet. It is certainly possible to change this, but the operator of the cemetery in question must be convinced. An entry must be made to change the statutes. There have been successful examples of this in the past, but there is no guarantee that it will work. If this does not work, the only solution is to switch to another cemetery. However, as there are more and more animal-human cemeteries, this should not be too much of a problem.

One condition is, of course, that the dog has already died when the owner dies. As a rule, the four-legged friends are cremated for a joint burial and then added to the owner's grave as a grave goods. The urn can be taken home for the transition. Even if the dog dies after the owner, a joint burial is possible.

If you want to be absolutely sure, you can also stipulate a joint burial with your four-legged friend in your will and force your descendants to do so, so to speak, even if this is hopefully not necessary. Joint cremation, however, is not possible.

When the vet buries the dog

If your beloved four-legged friend dies at the vet, the vet will usually offer to take care of everything else. Many vets work together with animal undertakers. A burial in a forest cemetery or pet cemetery is not uncommon.

If you take a completely rational approach to the whole issue and want to spend as little money as possible, you can also take the dead animal to a carcass disposal facility or have it taken to the vet. This usually costs a maximum of 30 euros. However, the carcasses are then processed into animal meal or animal fat, which most dog lovers will not like.

Conclusion

Dog owners who lose their beloved friend have to cope with the loss itself. If you then have to organize a funeral, you can reach your limits. It is better to arrange all the important steps beforehand. Knowing that everything is taken care of and that a nice place is waiting for your loyal four-legged friend can certainly help in the grief.

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