It's hard to think about, but if one of your pets has passed away, have you ever wondered about your options? Do you bury him or her in a pet cemetery? Do you cremate?
Previously, there weren't many choices for pet owners other than burial in a pet cemetery or cremation. However, now there's a great new option... You can now spend eternity with your pet, buried in a normal cemetery.
On Monday, Gov. Cuomo of the State of New York signed a bill allowing pet owners to be buried with their cremated nonhuman loved ones at not-for-profit cemeteries in the state. All the cemeteries have to do is give their written consent. Unfortunately, the only exception to the bill is that it does not apply to cemeteries that are owned or operated by religious associations.
However, the new law will be in effect immediately, and it goes against the previous law that banned cremated pets in "human" cemeteries. Cuomo even called the old regulation "unnecessary." Likewise, as Cuomo told us on Monday, many pets are considered members of the family, and this bill "gives cemeteries the option to honor the last wishes of pet lovers across New York.”
In my opinion, the new bill is great. I don't think it's radical at all, like some are saying, as burying companion animals with humans is part of ancient cultural traditions. The Egyptians are a great example; for centuries, they mummified and placed their beloved dogs and cats in their tombs with them. Likewise, other ancient pet burials include dog burials in Siberia and massive horse burials in China... New York's new bill is simply an ode to practices such as these, and provides pet owners throughout the state comfort that their animal will be with them forever.
In the end, I believe that a congratulations is in order. Humanity has definitely taken a step in the right direction in regards to our companions, and we have finally realized that our bonds with pets should never be broken, even in death.
