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

The practice of burying our departed loved ones in a cemetery has long been a way for humans to grieve and find closure. However, when it comes to pets, the approach is often different - and equally emotional.

In recent years, many cities have established pet cemeteries where owners can bury their deceased animals with dignity and respect. Barcelona, Spain, recently announced plans to create its own public pet cemetery, which will cater to the city's estimated 7,000 pets that are carried out each year.

As someone who has spent years researching this topic, I am both surprised and heartened by the development. It highlights the growing recognition of the emotional bond between humans and animals - a connection that is just as strong and significant as any human relationship.

Historic records show that people have always had ways to mourn their pets, but in Western European cultures, there were few acceptable options. In the 19th century, pets were often buried in rivers or sold for meat and skin, while cremation was not widely available until the mid-20th century.

However, as our attitudes towards human-animal relationships evolve, so too do our funerary practices. Today, we have a range of options to commemorate and grieve our lost pets - from traditional cemeteries to online forums and digital pet cemeteries.

The significance of these changes cannot be overstated. The connection between humans and animals is often overlooked, but it can be just as profound as any human relationship. And yet, for centuries, we have struggled to find the right way to acknowledge and express our grief - hiding our emotions for fear of social repercussions.

Now, with cities like Barcelona leading the way, we are seeing a shift towards greater acceptance and inclusivity. Pet cemeteries offer a space for owners to grieve and say goodbye, while also providing a sense of closure and peace.

Of course, not everyone will have access to such facilities - at an estimated €200 per service, it may be out of reach for some pet owners. But that's the beauty of diversity: there are many ways to express grief and remember our beloved pets.

Ultimately, the establishment of public pet cemeteries like Barcelona's represents a significant step forward in our understanding of human-animal relationships. By acknowledging and honoring these bonds, we can work towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive society - one that values the love and companionship of both humans and animals.
 
🐶💔 gotta feel for pet owners who've lost their furry friends 🌳 cemeteries like this one are a game changer... €200 might be steep for some tho 🤑 but at least it's an option now 😊
 
I'm so moved by this news 🐾💕...it's amazing to think about how far we've come in accepting our grief over losing our pets. I know it can be tough, and I feel like there's still a stigma around it, but the thought of having a special place to say goodbye to our furry friends is just beautiful ❤️. €200 might seem like a lot, but for some people, that might be what they need to make the experience more special 💸...and honestly, who's to say what everyone needs? 🤷‍♀️ The fact that cities are starting to recognize this emotional bond between humans and animals is just incredible 🌎.
 
🐾💔 I'm so glad to see Barcelona taking steps to create a public pet cemetery 🌳 It's such an emotional time for pet owners when they lose their furry friends 💕 I know how hard it can be to find the right way to grieve and say goodbye 😔 But having a dedicated space like this can really help with healing and closure ❤️ Plus, it's about time we start valuing those human-animal relationships just as much as our own 💯
 
🤔 I'm actually really heartened by cities like Barcelona creating pet cemeteries 🐾💔. It's about time we start recognizing the emotional connection between us and our pets. I mean, think about it, when was the last time you saw a "RIP" notice for your fave couch potato? 🤷‍♂️ But seriously, it's a big deal that they're finally getting recognized as more than just pets. The €200 price tag might be a barrier for some, but I think it's worth it for those who can afford it. It's all about giving people options to grieve and say goodbye in a way that feels meaningful to them. And let's be real, the alternative options like rivers or cremation just don't cut it 🌊💀. As our attitudes towards human-animal relationships evolve, I think we'll see more of these kinds of facilities popping up, which is awesome 😊
 
i mean think about it, we're already investing 200 euros to bury our pets 🤑 but what about those who can't afford it? aren't there other ways to say goodbye to our furry friends without breaking the bank? i'm all for a good farewell ceremony, but let's not forget about accessibility 💸
 
I'm loving this trend of pet cemeteries popping up everywhere! 🐾💕 It's about time we recognized the emotional connection between us and our furry friends, you know? I mean, losing a pet is just as heartbreaking as losing a human family member, but for so long, we've been left feeling like we're on our own in our grief. Now, cities are finally catching up and offering these beautiful spaces for owners to say goodbye to their beloved pets. Barcelona's plan to create its own public pet cemetery is a great example of this - who knows, maybe it'll start a global movement! 🌎 As someone who's researched this topic, I've seen firsthand the impact that these cemeteries have on people's lives... it's not just about burying a pet, it's about honoring their memory and finding closure. And let's be real, €200 might seem steep for some, but when you consider all the other options out there, it's actually quite reasonable. Still, I do wish more cities would offer these services, so that everyone can feel comfortable acknowledging their emotions and saying goodbye to their pets in a respectful way. 💖
 
Ugh 🤕 can u believe they're charging €200 to bury ur pet?! It's already hard enough losin' a furry friend, gotta pay some crazy price for it too 😔 what about all the ppl who cant afford it? shouldnt we be lookin at ways 2 make it more accessible 4 everyone 🤷‍♂️ but on the bright side, it's awesome that cities r startin 2 recognize how important it is 2 grieve over pets too 💕
 
😊 This is so cool! I mean, who doesn't want to say goodbye to their furry best friend in a beautiful ceremony? 🐾💔 I think it's amazing that cities like Barcelona are leading the way on this. I've seen some pet cemeteries pop up around my city too and they're so peaceful & serene 😌. Of course, €200 might be a bit steep for some people, but I think it's worth it to have an option for those who want to do something special for their pets 💯. And you know what? I've had some friends who had to put down their beloved pets and it was so hard... having this option would've made all the difference 🤕.
 
🤷‍♂️ I mean, who wouldn't want to pay €200 to bury their furry friend in a fancy cemetery? It's not like there are more important things to spend money on... like therapy sessions for dealing with the emotional trauma of losing your pet 🤑. But seriously, it's nice to see cities like Barcelona recognizing that pets are more than just companions – they're family members who deserve respect and dignity at the end of life 💕. And honestly, I'm a little jealous that I don't have access to one yet... maybe when I finally get a pet that lasts longer than 5 minutes 🐾😂.
 
I just got back from the most amazing vacation to Hawaii 🏖️🌴 and I'm still on a beach coma 😴. But seriously, have you ever thought about how weird it is that we spend so much time trying to find the perfect spot for our iPhones to take selfies, but when it comes to planning the ultimate picnic with friends, we often overlook the importance of shade 🤷‍♀️🌳. I mean, what's a good picnic without some decent shade and a cooler full of drinks? Priorities, right? 😂
 
oh my gosh, I'm totally on board with this 🙌! burying pets is such an emotional experience for owners, and it's amazing to see cities like barcelona taking steps to create public pet cemeteries 🐾💔. it's all about finding ways to acknowledge and express our grief in a way that feels right for us 🤗. and I love how the cost is estimated at €200 - yeah, maybe not everyone will be able to afford it, but diversity is key, you know? there are so many ways to remember our pets, from traditional cemeteries to digital ones online 💻. what's important is that we're having this conversation and recognizing the strength of the bond between humans and animals 🐾❤️.
 
I think it's super cool that Barcelona is getting its own pet cemetery 🐾💕. I mean, who doesn't want to give their fur babies a proper sendoff? It shows how our attitudes towards animals are changing, and that's amazing news for us animal lovers ❤️. The fact that some people might not be able to afford it though makes me think we need more affordable options 🤔. Maybe they could offer lower-cost alternatives or partner with shelters to help pets in need 🐶💕. Anyway, I'm all for this trend and can't wait to see more cities follow suit 💖.
 
🐾💕 I think it's awesome that cities like Barcelona are making pet cemeteries a thing. I've lost my own fur baby not too long ago, and burying them in a special place was really comforting for me. It feels so wrong to just leave their body somewhere, you know? 🤣 At least now we have some options to make it easier on ourselves... 200 euros is a bit steep though lol
 
I gotta say, pet cemeteries are getting more popular worldwide 🐾💀. It's so sad when our furry friends pass away, but at least now we can give them a proper sendoff. I mean, burying them in rivers or selling them for food is just cruel 😔. Barcelona's public pet cemetery is a great idea, though - it shows how our attitudes towards humans and animals are changing 🙏.

I was thinking, maybe this trend will lead to more cities having pet cemeteries? That'd be amazing 🌟. And you're right, not everyone can afford these services, but maybe that's what makes them special - like a luxurious goodbye for our beloved pets 💸.

I've heard of some people creating their own pet memorials in their backyards or parks... that's so sweet ❤️. It just goes to show how much we care about our pets and want to honor their memory. Let's keep pushing for more inclusivity and compassion towards all living beings 🌈!
 
I'm so down for this! I mean, think about it - our pets are like part of the family, right? They're always there for us, and when they pass away, it's like losing a member of the crew 🐾💔. It's crazy that we've had to wait until now for cities to start recognizing that we need special places to say goodbye. €200 is steep, I get it, but at least there are options now. And you're right, it's all about embracing our emotions and not being afraid to show them. My own pup passed away a few years ago, and I wish I had known about these cemeteries back then 🤕. It just goes to show that we've come a long way in accepting the connection between humans and animals, and I'm all for it!
 
I'm so down for this 🌈! A public pet cemetery in Barcelona is like, totally awesome! I mean, who doesn't want to give their furry (or feathered) friend a proper sendoff? 💕 It's amazing how we've come full circle – from rivers and meat markets to online forums and now, real-life cemeteries 🤩. The fact that cities are starting to recognize the emotional bond between humans and animals is like, totally heartwarming ❤️. Of course, €200 might be a bit steep for some pet owners, but like you said, diversity is key 🌎! Who knows, maybe one day we'll have pet cemeteries in every city, and it'll become the norm 💫. Wouldn't that be something? 😊
 
I'm so down with this idea, I mean can you imagine having a memorial for your furry friend like it's a family member? 🤩 It's like our culture is finally catching up to how we feel about our pets. In my opinion, pet cemeteries are not just for the rich, but also for those who want to give their pets a proper sendoff. I think it's awesome that Barcelona is leading the way and making this more accessible. €200 might seem like a lot, but think of it as investing in your own peace of mind after losing a beloved pet 😊
 
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