Losing a pet is hard. For many of us, they are an important part of our lives. So, when it’s time to take care of your dog’s remains you may not know what to do with them. As it turns out you have a few options; you can choose to cremate your dog or you can bury them in a Pet Cemetery.
If you may want to choose cremation, you can learn more about the process in our post; Pet Cremation Guide: A resource for when it’s time.
If you would prefer to bury your dog, you can either bury them at a pet cemetery near you or if allowed in your area, you can bury them in your yard. In this post we will discuss some of the things you need to be aware of if burying your dog in a pet cemetery.
In addition to finding answers to common questions, we have included a list of active pet cemeteries in the US.
Pet Cemetery: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Can you be buried with your pet?
Yes, you can be buried with your pet, but it might not be the way you think. We have found that only two states allow side by side human and pet burials in a human cemetery. Those states are Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Pennsylvania
In 2006 Pennsylvania passed a law that allowed cemeteries to set up three sections; one for humans, one for pets and one that is combined.
Virginia
In 2014 Virginia also passed a law allowing cemeteries to have a combined human and pets section. The law goes further to say that the pet must be a companion animal based on Virginia law. They also need to be buried in a casket of their own.
Both states require that the area is clearly marked as a combined burial space.
Both states, the laws allow eligible cemeteries to include combined burials based on each states requirement, but cemeteries are not required to do so.
Other Options
One option is to be buried in a state that allow cemeteries to set up a separate pet only section near or in a human cemetery. Florida is one of those states. At the Fairway Memorial Gardens in South Florida you can chose a family plot in the human burial section and bury your pets in the pet section. This allows you to be close to your pet but not right next to them.
Another option is that some states including New York allow human cremains to be buried in a pet cemetery. But unlike human cemeteries, pet cemeteries are not always deeded for perpetuity. This means, if you choose this option, there is a chance that your final resting place may not be truly final.
Another option is to go green. As in a Whole Family Green Burial.
What is a green burial?
The green burial movement is still new, but it’s growing in popularity. Particularly with people who want to be environmentally friendly. Currently, you can only find green cemeteries in a few states.
Green burials differ from a traditional burial in that it follows the natural way people used to be buried. That is returning the body back to the earth without harmful chemicals and expensive caskets. Green Cemeteries are kept in their natural state. You will not find manicured lawns or large monuments there. Only small grave markers are allowed.
Another advantage of a green burial is that whole family green cemeteries allow pets and humans to be buried together.
You can learn more about green pet burials at the Green Pet-Burial Society
How much does it cost to bury a pet in a Pet Cemetery?
The average cost to bury a small pet in a traditional pet cemetery in the U.S. is approximately $400. This cost includes a basic casket, small burial plot and the cost to open and close the grave site. Additional costs can include the cost of a memorial stone, annual grave maintenance and ceremony.
The cost to bury a large dog starts around $600 and goes up from there. Depending on what you choose. The greatest expenses in a pet burial can be the casket and grave marker.
Green burials are much less expensive due to the fact that there is no casket or expensive grave marker.
What are pet burial services?
As you are looking for a pet cemetery you may come across places that offer “Pet Burial Services”. These services are offered by pet funeral homes to assist people with the burial arrangements. Services can include but are not limited to:
- Selling caskets, vaults, and urns
- Assisting with grave markers or memorial stones
- Some will have a place to hold a funeral for your pet.
- Assist with the burial arrangements, including:
- Working with a local pet cemetery
- Arranging transportation
- Digging a grave on private property
Pet funeral homes that offer pet burial services may not have a pet cemetery of their own.
Why should I bury my pet in a pet cemetery?
Some of the reasons people choose to bury their pet in a pet cemetery are:
- They don’t have a yard to bury their pet in
- It’s illegal to bury their pet in the yard
- Don’t want to cremate their pet
- Want to bury their pet in a place that they can visit
- They want to be buried near or with their pet
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Pet Cemetery Near You
Note: This list of questions was created based research for my own benefit. I am sharing it to help other people who might be considering using a pet cemetery. Please do your own research in addition to reading this post.
1. How is the pet cemetery land protected from other uses?
Unlike cemeteries for humans, pet cemeteries are not required to be deeded in perpetuity. This means that the pet cemetery land can be sold or closed and used for another purpose. This happened in New Jersey. The owner of the cemetery claimed that people stopped paying the annual maintenance fees. Without the annual payments they were unable to pay the taxes so the land was sold.
In a more recent case in Michigan, a pet cemetery that had been in operation for more than 40 years and had as many as 74,000 animals buried on the 12-acre property was closed. This time it was because the cemetery was on leased land. The land had been sold to a new investor who decided not to renew the lease when it expired.
There are still other cases where the owners were not able to continue the business for one reason or another. Often the owners are heartbroken for causing pain to the people who trusted them to care for their pet’s remains. But this does nothing to ease the pain and sorrow of the families who trusted them.
Look for a restricted deed in perpetuity
When selecting a final resting place for your beloved pet find out if they have a restricted deed in perpetuity. Although a restricted deed does not guarantee that the cemetery will always be open for business, it does restrict the land from being used for other purposes.
Find out who owns the land. It should be the people or corporation who run the cemetery. Also check to see if there liens against the land that could jeopardize the future of the cemetery.
2. What fees are required to bury a pet in the cemetery?
Pet cemetery fees vary by location and services. Here are some of the fees you may encounter:
- Cost of burial plot
- Cost to open and close a grave site
- Casket or Urn
- Maintenance Fees – These fees may be required as a:
- Lump sum
- Paid annually
- Grave marker
- To hold the pet until they are buried
- Cost to transport your pet
- Funeral cost
- Flowers
Some of the fees listed are optional, but some like the plot cost and maintenance fees are not. When asking about the fees also find out if they offer a package for a reduced price.
Don’t forget to ask about any pet memorial options they may have.
3. Will the maintenance fees change over time?
Remember to ask if the annual maintenance fee is guaranteed to stay the same. It’s important to not only know what the upfront costs are but also any future costs involved with care for your pet’s grave.
4. What options does the cemetery offer?
Options will vary by cemetery but may include:
- Private or communal burial services
- Green burial – this means no costly caskets or big grave markers
- Whole body burial or pet ashes– some pet cemeteries only allow for ashes
5. What is the succession plan for the pet cemetery?
If the pet cemetery is owned by an individual or family, what are the plans for the cemetery when the family is gone?
6. How will the pet cemetery be maintained?
Are there guarantees in place on how the pet cemetery will be properly cared for? Is there money set aside for care and maintenance of the graves for eternity?
7. What is the visitation policy for the cemetery?
It’s important to understand how and when you can visit your pet’s grave. In some cases the cemetery can only be accessed through a keyed gate. The last thing you want to do is bury your pet in a place that does not allow you to freely go and visit.
8. Are you allowed to decorate the grave?
You may want to plant flowers or leave behind a favorite toy. Make sure this is allowed. Some cemeteries have strict policies on what the grave site can look like.
9. Are they a member of the International Association Of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories?
The International Association of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories (IAOPCC) is a not-for-profit organization for pet aftercare professionals. Their mission is to advance the standards, and ethics of pet cemeteries and crematories. Members of IAOPCC have to pledge to follow a code of ethics and standards of business practice.
10. How far are you willing to drive to visit the pet cemetery?
This last question is for you as the pet owner and not the cemetery, but it is something you should really think about. For many people, the main reason to bury their pets in a cemetery, is so they can visit them after they are gone. If the pet cemetery is too far away are you really going to make the drive to visit them?
Pet Cemetery
Active Pet Cemeteries in the USA
This list was intended to help people who are looking for a place to bury their pets. Although there are many pet cemeteries in the USA, not all of them are open or taking new clients. We have tried to only list ones that are active. However things change and so can this information. Please do your own research before deciding on a pet cemetery.
Also, if you find that a listed pet cemetery is closed or no longer taking new interments please let us know in the comments so we can update our list. Thank you!
Disclaimer: We do not endorse any of the pet cemeteries listed here. It is important that you do your own due diligence before contracting with any pet burial services. Check reviews, ask around, and look them up in the Better Business Bureau before signing a contract.
Alabama
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Coon Dog Cemetery | Cherokee, AL | (256) 383-0783 Coondogs only |
| Decatur Pet Cemetery & Crematorium | Decatur, AL | (256) 355-4333 |
| Mobile Pet Cemetery/ Spring Hill Memorial Gardens | Mobile, AL | |
| Pet Haven Cemetery | Huntsville, AL | (256) 603-0682 |
| Tranquil Grove Pet Cemetery | Montgomery, AL | (334) 244-6517 |
Alaska
None
Arizona
| Name | Location |
| The Bridge Pet Cemetery | Scottsdale, AZ |
| The Pet Cemetery of Tucson | Tucson, AZ |
Arkansas
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Pet Land Memorial Park | Little Rock AR | (501) 565-1619 |
| Rest Haven Pet Cemetery | Bentonville, AR | (479) 636-2412 |
California
| Name | Location |
| Fresno Pet Cemetery | Fresno, CA |
| Gateway Pet Cemetery | San Berardino, CA |
| My Pet’s Cemetery | Petaluma, CA |
| Sorrento Valley Pet Cemetery | San Diego, CA |
Colorado
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Pet Rest Memorial Park | Colorado Springs, CO | (719) 576-0496 |
| Precious Memories Pet Cemetery | Fort Collins, CO |
Connecticut
| Forest-Rest Memorial Park | Glastonbury |
| Riverside Cemetery Association | Norwalk, CT |
Delaware
| None – See nearby cemeteries in NJ. PA and Maryland |
Florida
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Broward Pet Cemetery | Plantation, FL | Web-link |
| Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Pet Cemetery | Palm Harbor, FL | Web-link |
| Foster’s Pinellas Pet Memorial Gardens | Pinellas Park, FL | Web-link |
| Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve – Green Cemetery | Glendale, FL | Web-link |
| Honor Thy Pet | Tampa, FL | Web-link |
| Jacksonville Pet Cemetery | Jacksonville, FL | Web-link |
| Lohman Pet Cemetery | Daytona Beach, FL | (386) 226-1100 |
| Oaklawn Pet Cemetery | West Little River, FL | Web-link |
| Pet Angel Memorial Center @ Miami Cemetery | Miami, FL | Web-link |
| Pet Memorial Gardens Cemetery | Jacksonville, FL | Web-link |
Georgia
| Name | Location |
| Bi City Pet Crematory & Cemetery | Midland, GA |
| Loving Care Pet Cemetery | Atlanta, GA |
| Oak Rest Pet Garden & Crematory | Atlanta, GA |
| Paradise Pet Crematory and Cemetery | Augusta, GA |
| Pet Heaven Memorial Park | Atlanta, GA |
| Savannah Pet Cemetery | Savannah, GA |
Hawaii
| Name | Location |
| Valley of the Temples Pet Cemetery | Kaneohe, HI |
Idaho
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Celebration Forest | Bonners Ferry, ID | (208) 267-4306 |
Illinois
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Arlington Memorial Park and Pet Cemetery | Rockford, IL | Web-link |
| Elm Lawn Pet Cemetery | Elmhurst, IL | Web-link |
| Faithful Friends Pet Services | Decatur, IL | (217) 429-5439 |
| Garden of Saint Francis @ St Luke | Chicago, IL | Web-link |
| Homeward Bound Pet Cemetery @Rose Lawn Memory Gardens | Bethalto, IL | Web-link |
| Homeward Bound Pet Cemetery @Valhalla Memorial Park | Godfrey, IL | Web-link |
| Illinois Pet Cemetery | Hanover Park, IL | (773) 549-1154 |
| Whispering Winds Pet Memorial Service | Chebanse, IL | Web-link |
Indiana
| Name | Location |
| Ohio Valley Pet Cemetery | Sellersburg, IN |
| Palmers Pet Cemetery | South Bend, IN |
Iowa
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Best Friends Pet Cemetery | Boone, IA | Web-link |
| Cedar Bend Humane Society Pet Cemetery | Cedar Bend, IA | Web-link |
| Garden of Faithfull Friends Cemetery | Waterloo, IA | Web-link |
| Love of Animals Petland in Oakdale Memorial Gardens | Davenport, IA | Web-link |
Kansas
| Name | Location |
| Valley View Memorial Park & Valley View Pet Haven | Manhattan, KS |
Kentucky
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Highland Pet Cemetery | Fort Mitchell, KY | |
| Sheabel Pet Cemetery | Lexington, KY | (859) 221-2222 |
Louisiana
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Black Bayou Cemetery | Lake Charles, LA | (337) 433-8372 |
| Heavenly Acres For Pets | Elm Grove, LA | |
| Pet Memorial Gardens | Prairieville, LA | (225) 673-8991 |
Maine
| Name | Location |
| Gracelawn Memorial Park – Pet Cemetery | Auburn, ME |
Maryland
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park | Reisterstown, MD | |
| Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center | Timonium, MD | |
| Oakleigh Pet Cemetery | Parkville, MD | (410) 665-8855 |
| Pet Cemetery of Montgomery Co | Rockville, MD | (301) 770-0468 |
| Resthaven Memorial Gardens and Petland garden | Frederick County, MD | |
| Sugarloaf Pet Gardens | Dickerson, MD |
Massachusetts
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Hillcrest Park Cemetery | Springfield, MA | (413) 782-2311 |
| Hillside Acre Pet Cemetery at Nevins Farm | Methuen, MA | |
| Pleasant Mountain Pet Rest & Crematory | Plymouth, MA | (508) 746-5550 |
Michigan
| Name | Location | Contact |
| AAA Pet Services | Taylor, MI | |
| Country Meadows Pet Cemetery | Dimondale, MI | (517) 646-8043 |
| Key-Lore Pet Rest Gardens | Flushing, MI |
Minnesota
| Name | Location |
| Bennett’s Pet Haven Cemetery | Owatonna, MN |
Mississippi
None
Missouri
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery | Altenburg, MO | Web-link |
| Forest Lawn Pet Cemetery | High Ridge, MO | (636) 677-3417 |
| Friends of Imperial Crown Pet Cemetery | Florissant, MO | Web-link |
| Lakeland Pet Cemetery | Springfield, MO | (417) 887-1929 |
| Memory Park Pet Cemetery | Twin Oaks, MO | Web-link |
| Rolling Acres Memorial Gardens for Pets | Kansas City, MO | Web-link |
Montana – None
Nebraska – None
Nevada – None
New Hampshire
| Name | Location | Contact |
| McGuire Pet Cemetery | Londonderry, NH | (603) 529-8232 |
| Proctor Animal Cemetery | Nashua, NH | |
| Rolling Meadows Pet Cemetery | Stratham, NH |
New Jersey
| Name | Location |
| Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park | Lafayette, NJ |
| Hamilton Pet Meadow Memorial Park | Carlstadt, NJ |
| Snow Mountain Pet Memorial Park | Mahwah, NJ |
| St. Francis Pet Cemetery | New Providence, NJ |
New Mexico
| Name | Location |
| La Puerta Natural Burial New Mexico – Green | Belen, NM |
New York
| Name | Location |
| Hartsdale Pet Cemetery | Hartsdale, NY |
| Rush Inter Pet Cemetery | Rush, NY |
| Bideawee Pet Memorial Park | Wantagh, NY |
| Forest Lawn Cemetery | Buffalo, NY |
| Pet Haven Cemetery | Syracuse, NY |
| Pet Memorial Park for Stevens Swan Humane Society | Marcy, NY |
North Carolina
| Name | Location |
| Good Shepherd Pet Crematory & Cemetery | West End, NC |
| Pet Heaven Cemetery and Crematory, Inc | Cherryville, NC |
North Dakota
| Name | Location |
| Summer Field Pet Memorial Park | Bismarck, ND |
Ohio
| Name | Location |
| Angel Refuge Pet Cemetery Inc | Ontario, OH |
| Butterbridge Farms Pet Cemetery | Canal Fulton, OH |
| Pines Pet Cemetery | Lebanon, OH |
| Reith Pet Cemetery LLC | Toledo, OH |
| Toledo Memorial Park Reflections Garden Cremation burial only | Sylvania, OH |
Oklahoma
| Name | Location |
| Precious Pets Cemetery | Spencer, OK |
Oregon
| Name | Location |
| Family Pet Cemetery | Clackamas, OR |
| Oregon Humane Society | Portland, OR |
Pennsylvania
| Name | Location |
| Aspen Hill Pet Cemetery | Hermitage, PA |
| Blairsville Pet Cemetery | Blairsville, PA |
| Dear Pet Memorial Park | Bensalem, PA |
| Hillcrest Pet Garden | Hermitage, PA |
| Jefferson Memorial Cemetery | Greater Pittsburgh, PA |
| Peaceful Pastures Pet Cemetery | Canonsburg, PA |
| Sky-View Memorial Park | Tamaqua, PA |
Rhode Island – None
South Carolina
| Name | Location |
| Dust to Dust Green Burial Cemetery Whole Family Green | Swansea, SC |
| Greenhaven Preseerve Whole family Green | Eastover, SC |
| Hillcrest Cemetery | Conway, SC |
| Midlands Pet Care | Cayce, SC |
Tennessee
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery | Columbia, TN | |
| Dixie Memorial Pet Cemetery | Millington, TN | |
| Pinecrest Pet Cemetery | Memphis, TN | (901) 754-1100 |
Texas
| Name | Location |
| Cimarron Pet Cemetery | Lubbock, TX |
| Hale’s Half Acre Pet Cemetery | Houston, TX |
| Heavens Rainbow Bridge | Amarillo, TX |
| Pets at Peace Pet Cemetery | East Odessa, TX |
| Pine Hill Pet & Horse Cemetery | Bowie, TX |
| Smoke Rise Farm Pet Cemetery | Azle, TX |
Utah
| Name | Location |
| Angels Rest | Kane County, UT |
| Tiffany Mack Memorial Pet Cemetery | Ogden City, UT |
Vermont – None
Virginia
| Name | Location |
| Garden of the Pines Pet Cemetery | Virginia Beach, VA |
Washington- none
Washington DC
| Name | Location |
| Congressional Cemetery – Kingdom of Animals | Washington DC |
West Virginia
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Heaven’s Gateway Memorial Gardens | Winfield, WV | (304) 757-9860 |
Wisconsin
| Name | Location |
| Forrest Run Pet Cemetery | Sherwood, WI |
| Lorraine’s Garden Pet Cemetery | Milwaukee, WI |
| Peaceful Pines Pet Memorial Park | Mosinee, WI |
| Pet Lawn Cemetery | Milwaukee, WI |
Wyoming
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Angel Companions Pet Cemetery | Casper, WY | (307) 797-2080 |