The loss of a pet is one of the most difficult situations a pet owner has to face. When your beloved cat, dog, hamster, or rabbit passes away, the immediate thought for many is to bury their remains in a corner of the yard, under a tree, or in a field. However, this casual approach is not only inadequate but can also lead to unnecessary complications for the owner.
Why should pet remains not be buried arbitrarily? First, it is illegal: The Animal Epidemic Prevention Law clearly stipulates that individuals are not allowed to handle animal carcasses (those that died from disease or with unknown causes) casually, nor are they allowed to discard or bury them without proper procedures. The carcasses must be treated in a harmless manner. If a pet owner buries their pet’s remains without authorization, it not only violates the General Principles of Civil Law but also the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law, constituting an abuse of civil rights. This practice is inadvisable.
Placing pet ashes in an urn and burying them in one’s own field can serve as nourishment for the field and give back to nature. If pet owners live close to the seaside, they can choose to scatter pet ashes into the sea. This is sea burial, which is also a way for pets to return to nature and their true selves. The last method recommended by the editor is temple burial of pet ashes. Temples are originally places for disaster relief, praying for blessings, and transcending the deceased. Burying pets in temples can not only receive the blessings of Dharma assemblies by eminent monks and virtuous ones but also help pets accumulate merit and be reborn well in the next life. Whether it is a pet’s body or ashes, pet owners need to consider carefully to avoid regrets.