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

The act of burying our departed loved ones in a cemetery has long been a widely accepted practice. However, when it comes to pets, attitudes towards funeral rites have become increasingly taboo. Despite this, many cities are now setting up public pet cemeteries to provide a safe space for grieving owners.

In Barcelona, the city is set to open its first public pet cemetery next year, offering both burials and cremations. This news has come as a shock to local historians, who had previously assumed that such facilities were already available. Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology at Newcastle University, has spent years researching the development of pet cemeteries worldwide.

According to Tourigny, public pet cemeteries have been around for centuries in Europe and North America. Britain's first public pet cemetery was established in London's Hyde Park in 1881, while New York's Hartsdale pet cemetery was founded in 1896. However, it is surprising that Barcelona has not previously offered such services.

The decision to create a public pet cemetery in Barcelona highlights the changing attitudes towards human-animal relationships over time. Historically, pets were often considered 'loving friends' rather than family members. By the early 20th century, however, gravestones began to reference the reunion of owners and their pets in the afterlife.

The recent opening of public pet cemeteries has sparked debate about the significance of human-animal bonds. Historian Tourigny notes that connections between humans and animals can be just as strong and significant as those with other people. Yet, despite this, many individuals continue to struggle to find acceptable outlets for expressing their grief.

This taboo surrounding pet loss is largely due to societal pressure and fear of ridicule. However, charities like the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center offer counseling services to bereaved humans, acknowledging the legitimacy of their emotions.

The introduction of public pet cemeteries in Barcelona marks a significant step towards recognizing the importance of human-animal relationships in our lives. As society becomes increasingly accepting of these connections, it is likely that funerary and commemoration practices will evolve to accommodate the needs of grieving owners.

At an estimated €200 per service, however, not all pet owners in Barcelona will have access to this option. Instead, they may opt for more affordable alternatives such as home burials or spreading ashes in meaningful locations.

Ultimately, the emergence of public pet cemeteries highlights that there are many ways to express grief and remember cherished animals in our lives. By acknowledging the significance of human-animal bonds, we can work towards creating a society where pet loss is no longer taboo but rather a widely accepted and acknowledged experience.
 
🤷‍♂️ Pet cemeteries? Who knew people would be too embarrassed to bury their cats in public? Like, what's the worst that could happen? 🐈😳 I mean, I'm glad Barcelona is taking steps to acknowledge the importance of human-animal relationships, but €200 a pop for a cemetery plot? That's like asking someone to pay rent for their emotional pain. 💸 Maybe they should just sell dog-gone good coffee and call it a day? ☕
 
I'm so stoked 🤩 about this new development in Barcelona! I mean, who doesn't love their pets like family? It's time we start treating our furry friends with the same respect as humans. I've always thought it was kinda weird that we don't have more public pet cemeteries - I mean, what's not to accept a good ol' fashioned grave for your pup or kitty?

It's wild how attitudes towards human-animal relationships are changing over time 🤯. Like, back in the day, pets were just considered 'loving friends', but now we're recognizing their importance in our lives. And honestly, I think it's about time we started celebrating those unbreakable bonds between us and our pets 💕.

But what I love most is that this new initiative isn't just about providing a service - it's about breaking down the stigma around pet loss 🌈. It's like, we need to start talking more openly about how much our pets mean to us, and find ways to honor their memory that feel meaningful to us. And if that means spending €200 on a fancy grave or whatever, so be it 💸.

It's time to rethink our funeral and commemoration practices, imo 🤝. We need to create a society where pet loss is no longer something we're ashamed of, but something we can openly talk about and celebrate. That's the kind of change I'm here for 🌟!
 
I think it's amazing that Barcelona is finally setting up its own public pet cemetery 🙌! I mean, have you seen how emotional people get when they lose their pets? It's like they're losing a family member, for real 💔. And honestly, who wouldn't want to be able to find some peace and closure after saying goodbye to their furry best friend? 🤗 The fact that it's gonna cost €200 per service is still kinda crazy, but hey, at least the option exists now 💸. I think this is a huge step forward for society and shows that we're finally starting to accept that our pets are more than just pets - they're part of our lives 🐾❤️.
 
😊 I think it's super cool that Barcelona is setting up its own public pet cemetery! It's like, we're finally recognizing that our pets are part of the family too, you know? 🐾❤️ I mean, who doesn't love their furry friends unconditionally? 💕 But seriously, it's amazing how attitudes towards pet loss have changed over time. Like, historically, pets were just seen as companions, but now we're acknowledging that our emotional connections with them are real and valid.

I think this is a great step forward for society, and I love that there are options available for pet owners who want to honor their pets in meaningful ways 🌼🕊️. And yeah, I know it might not be affordable for everyone, but like you said, that's why there are other alternatives like home burials and scattering ashes in special spots 🌳💫.

For me, the most important thing is that we're finally breaking down those stigmas around pet loss and grief 💔. We need to normalize it so that people feel comfortable talking about their feelings and finding ways to celebrate their pets' lives after they pass away 😊. It's all about acknowledging the love and connection we have with our animals, and I'm here for it 🐾💖
 
I'm low-key excited about this new public pet cemetery in Barcelona 🌳💕! As someone who's super into aesthetics, I think it's amazing that they're finally recognizing the importance of human-animal relationships 💯. I mean, can you imagine how beautiful a pet cemetery could look? A peaceful space where owners can say goodbye to their furry friends in style ✨. It's about time we start talking about the emotional significance of our pets 🤗. And yes, let's be real, €200 might seem steep for some people, but at least they have options now 💸. I'm all about embracing the imperfections and creating spaces that celebrate the human-animal bond ❤️.
 
[Image of a cat lying on a gravestone with a sad expression](😾)

[ GIF of a person hugging their pet with a big smile ](hugging.gif)

[ Image of a blue cross with a paw print on it, symbolizing support for pet owners in grief ](bluecross.gif)

[ Video of a pet cemetery being opened, with people saying goodbye to their pets ](petcemetery.mp4)

[Image of a person crying and holding a picture of their pet, with the words "it's okay to grieve" written below ](grieving.gif)
 
I think its kinda cool that Barcelona is setting up public pet cemeteries 🐶💀. I mean, who says we gotta stick to the traditional human cemetery rules? It's all about recognizing our feelings for animals, right? Like, pets are part of our family too, you know?

But at the same time, €200 is kinda steep for a lot of people. I'd love to see more affordable options available. Maybe they could offer some sort of package deal or something? 🤑

It's interesting how society has changed over time and now we're starting to accept that pets are not just 'loving friends' but actual family members. That's amazing progress, if you ask me! 💕
 
🤔 think its cool that people r finally gettin recognition for their feelings on losin pets 🐾💔 dont think it should be a price tag tho €200 might be out of reach 4 some peeps & thats wha matters - makin room 4 pet owners to grieve n remember their furry friends 💕
 
🌼 The fact that public pet cemeteries are becoming more mainstream is a game changer for pet owners who've lost their furry friends 🐾. It's crazy to think that just like humans, pets have emotional connections with us too 💕, and it's time we start treating their loss as a significant life event 🤯. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between a €200 service or doing something more budget-friendly? That's still a lot of money for many people 🤑. But hey, at least there are options now like home burials or spreading ashes in special locations, so owners don't have to feel like they're going against societal norms 🌿.

It's also interesting that it's taken historians by surprise that Barcelona isn't already offering this service 🤔. I guess it just goes to show how our attitudes towards pets and human relationships are changing over time ⏰. It's not just about the emotional bond we share with our pets, but also about respecting their place in our lives 💗. And honestly, if we can start accepting that loss of a pet is a legitimate experience for many people, maybe it'll lead to more open conversations around mental health and grief 🌟.
 
🐾💔 I think it's awesome that Barcelona is finally joining the rest of us who've been doing this for ages! 🤷‍♂️ It's crazy how much stigma there is around losing our furry friends - like, shouldn't we just be able to say goodbye and find a beautiful spot to scatter some ashes or bury them with love? 💚 The fact that there are charities like the Blue Cross offering counseling services shows they get it too 🤝. Of course, €200 might seem steep for some people, but hey at least it's an option now! And who knows, maybe more cities will follow suit and create their own pet cemeteries 🌞. It's all about accepting that our pets are part of our families and giving them a proper sendoff 💕.
 
I think it's awesome that Barcelona is setting up its first public pet cemetery! I mean, let's be real, pets are like part of the family, right? 🐾😊 It's crazy how we used to just leave them in the street or backyard without a proper farewell. Now, with these cemeteries, owners can say goodbye in a more dignified way and even choose to have a memorial service. I'm all for it! And yeah, it's sad that some people still don't accept pet loss as a valid emotion, but at least charities like the Blue Cross are there to support them.

I also think it's cool how this is bringing up conversations about human-animal relationships. Like, we used to see pets as just companions or helpers, but now we realize they're so much more than that. They're emotional beings that can bring us joy and comfort, and losing them can be devastating. So, let's celebrate our furry friends and give them the respect they deserve when they pass on. 💕
 
The fact that people are now getting back on board with burying their pets is just another example of how societal norms around death and grief have shifted over time... 🤔 Like, what was wrong with people having pets in the first place? It's only recently that we've started treating our furry friends like they're family members. And yeah, the €200 service fee is a bit steep for some people, but at least it shows that cities are willing to acknowledge the emotional value of pet loss.

It's interesting how the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center have been doing counseling services for humans grieving over their pets... 🤗 Like, why not? It's only fair that we start recognizing the legitimacy of pet owners' emotions. I mean, think about it - when we lose a loved one, we expect to see outpourings of support from family and friends. Why can't that be extended to our furry companions?

But what really gets me is how this new development is going to affect urban planning... 🏙️ Like, are cities really going to start designing pet cemeteries into their infrastructure? That's just a whole new level of weirdness. On the other hand, I guess it's better than having to cram all these people and pets into tiny parking lots.
 
just imagine having an actual place to go and say goodbye to your fur baby 🐶🌳 barcelona's public pet cemetery is like a game changer - it's about time we recognized that our pets are part of the family too 💕 and not just some 'loving companion' label. €200 per service might be pricey but hey, if it makes grieving owners feel better then it's worth it 🙏 maybe this trend will spread to other cities and countries too 🌎
 
🌼 I've seen some weird stuff in my life, but this is wild! Like, people used to just ditch their pets somewhere, no big deal? But I guess times changed and we realized that it's okay to give our furry friends a proper sendoff too 🐾💔. Barcelona setting up public pet cemeteries is like, awesome in a way... but €200 is crazy expensive! I feel for the poor owners who can't afford it 🤑. Maybe they'll just have to get creative with home burials or something? 🏠🌿 Anyway, it's cool that we're moving away from treating pet loss as taboo and towards making it more accepted... we should all be supporting each other during those tough times 💕.
 
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