Many people may not be aware that pet funeral homes and services exist. Pets are just as much a part of our family as people and when a pet passes away, the grief can be overwhelming. The sadness and sorrow of losing a pet can be just as hurtful and horrible as losing a person.

Many counselors, to help with the grieving and mourning process may suggest that the family plan a funeral for their pet; a formal way to say good-bye, just as if they were saying good-bye to a person. And yes, there are funeral homes for pets.

Pet Funeral Homes and Services Explained

A story published in USA Today discussed a pet funeral home, owned by Linda a Glynn Sumrall in Gulfport, Massachusetts. This funeral home for pets is catered specifically for the needs of family members who lose their pet. It is called “A Pet’s Memory” and offers burials and cremations just like a funeral home for people would offer. This is a special place, according to the Associated Press who spoke with the Sumralls about what their funeral home for pets is like.   

In reference to the families that visit “A Pet’s Memory”, Linda Sumrall stated, "They can sit down and talk to someone where their loss isn't trivialized. When we were planning, I thought of how we would want to be treated," she said.

Linda's husband, Glynn, said, “they treat each animal that comes in as if it was their own.” His statement to the associated press was, "We meet people on a really bad day and try to make it better.”

The Sumralls are no strangers for the love of pets, dogs, in particular as they have three Golden Retrievers of their own. Their dogs are Cind, 11, Maggie 5, and Molly, 2-1/2. The couple came up with idea of opening their own funeral home for pets business after thinking about what they would do if they lost any of their pets.

When the Sumralls opened their funeral home for dogs and cats and other pets as well, they made sure that it was a place that catered to pet loving people in a very dignified and respectable way. Taking the loss of a family pet very seriously as they do, the Sumralls offer a very unique experience for people who would otherwise leave their dead pets at veterinarians offices or possibly even bury the pets themselves. The Sumralls offer a place to get help in planning a funeral for their pets.

“A Pet’s Memory” funeral home for pets is not very different than a funeral home for people. First off, the equipment used is similar to what a regular human funeral home uses, according to the Sumralls. “A Pet’s Memory” offers private cremations starting at around $80 for smaller pets and increasing to about $210 for pets that are heavier.

Lastly, although the funeral home for pets is primarily for dogs and cats, “A Pet's Memory” has also cremated a bearded dragon lizard, a guinea pig and a ferret. No matter what kind of animal you choose for your pet, you most likely will love that pet like part of the family and when they pass away, the grief is the same. “A Pet’s Memory” can help.