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 is a long-standing tradition that has been passed down through generations. However, what about when the dearly departed are not human but rather our pets? In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in establishing public pet cemeteries, where pets can be laid to rest alongside their human families.

In Barcelona, Spain, a new public pet cemetery is set to open next year, offering both burials and cremations. The initiative was sparked by "constant public demand," according to the city's Councilor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Eloi Badia. This development comes as no surprise, given that public pet cemeteries have been a staple in European and American cultures since the late 19th century.

Historical records reveal a fascinating story about how humans interact with the bodies of their pets after death. A study of historic gravestones and epitaphs in Britain from the Victorian period to today shows that, over time, our relationship with animals has evolved. In the 19th century, pets were often considered "loving friends," while by the early 20th century, they had become integral members of the family, as evidenced by the appearance of family surnames on gravestones.

One notable example is the epitaph on Denny, a brave little cat buried in an east London cemetery in 1952. The owners wrote "God bless until we meet again," highlighting the deep bond between humans and animals. This phenomenon has been observed across cultures and centuries, with individuals continuing to struggle to express their grief for lost pets due to fear of social repercussions.

However, as society becomes more accepting of the importance of human-animal relationships, we are seeing an increase in rituals resembling those used to mourn the loss of our closest human relationships. Public pet cemeteries like Barcelona's new initiative provide a space for pet owners to grieve and pay tribute to their beloved animals.

While this opportunity may not be financially accessible to all in the city, online forums and digital pet cemeteries offer alternative ways to commemorate relationships and express grief. Ultimately, there are many acceptable ways to honor our pets after they pass on, and it is heartening to see a growing recognition of the significance of these bonds.

The establishment of public pet cemeteries serves as a poignant reminder that our connections with animals can be just as strong and meaningful as those we share with other humans. As we navigate the complexities of modern mourning, it is essential to acknowledge the emotional significance of our relationships with pets and provide them with the respect and dignity they deserve.
 
I'm low-key impressed by this trend 🤩. It's a no-brainer that pet owners want a space to say their final goodbyes and pay tribute to their furry friends 💔. The fact that public pet cemeteries are becoming more mainstream is a testament to how far our societal views on human-animal relationships have shifted 🌈. I mean, think about it - we're already acknowledging the importance of saying goodbye to beloved pets with rituals similar to those used for humans, like online forums and digital pet cemeteries... it's just a matter of time before these spaces become as normalized as traditional cemeteries 💀.

And let's be real, having a public space where you can lay your pet to rest alongside its human family is not only a comfort but also a celebration of the bond between species 🐾💕. It's all about acknowledging that our relationships with animals are just as significant and meaningful as those we share with humans 👫.

Of course, it's true that not everyone will have access to these spaces, which can be pricey 🤑... but I think this is a case where inclusivity goes beyond just financial accessibility. If we're talking about providing a space for people to grieve and honor their pets, then let's explore all the options available - online forums, digital pet cemeteries, community support groups... you name it! 💖
 
I'm so done with these pet cemeteries popping up everywhere! Like, I get it, people want to mourn their pets like they're family members or something... 🤷‍♀️ Can't we just have a simple online memorial or something? Do we really need actual graveyards for our furry friends? And what's next? Public human cemeteries for all the "broken relationships" and "societal pressures" stuff too?! 😒 I mean, I'm all about honoring our pets, but come on... it just seems like a cash-grab to me. 🤑 Can't we find more creative ways to celebrate our pets' lives without turning them into mini-cemeteries? 🤔
 
🐈💔 I think its kinda cool that people are startin to treat their pets like family members & want to give 'em a proper sendoff. I mean, pets bring so much joy & companionship into our lives, it's only right we acknowledge the impact they have on us when they're gone. Online pet cemeteries might not be as romantic as an actual public one, but they're still a great way to pay tribute. And let's be real, some of those old gravestones are pretty cute 😂. But seriously, I think its awesome that we're seein a shift in how people view their relationships with pets. It just goes to show that love knows no species, right? 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm not sure about these public pet cemeteries gaining traction... like, I get that people are attached to their pets but aren't we already burying them or cremating them? 🤔 It just seems like an extra step and a pretty pricey one at that. Plus, online forums and digital cemeteries exist already! 😊 What's the point of having a physical space when you can just share memories and photos on social media? And don't even get me started on the logistics - who's responsible for maintaining these places and what happens to all those animal remains? 🤷‍♀️
 
omg i'm so down for this! public pet cemeteries are like the next big thing 🤩. its not surprising that barcelona is leading the way, though - thats always been a city that values lifestyle and quality of life. but seriously, who doesn't love their pets? they're part of the fam, right? it's so sweet to see people coming together to create spaces where they can honor their loved ones in a more meaningful way. online forums are cool too - i've seen some digital pet cemeteries that are literally just beautiful gardens with virtual headstones 🌼. and lets be real, burials and cremations are both valid options for pets too. its all about giving them the respect they deserve when they pass on 💕.
 
I gotta say, public pet cemeteries are gonna become super popular 🐾💀 I mean, think about it, our pets are part of the fam too! 🤝 They bring us so much joy and love, it's only natural that we want to give them a proper sendoff. And can you imagine how emotional it must be for people to say goodbye to their furry friends? It's like losing a human family member all over again 😭

I'm loving the idea of these public pet cemeteries popping up in cities like Barcelona, where families can go to pay tribute to their pets and grieve together. It's about time we acknowledged that our bond with animals is just as strong as our bond with humans 💕 And I love how online forums and digital pet cemeteries are offering alternative ways for people to commemorate their loved ones.

It's also super interesting to see how this trend has evolved over the years, from pets being seen as just "loving friends" to them becoming integral members of the family 🐾💯. I mean, who wouldn't want to leave a note on a gravestone that says "God bless until we meet again"? 💫
 
I think its super cool that barca is opening a public pet cemetery 🐾💔 like people need places to go to grieve their pets too, especially if family cant afford it 🤑 online thingys are great but sometimes ur gotta do the real deal, bury them in the ground, say ur goodbyes... its not just about humans anymore we love our pets like they r part of the fam 👪💕
 
I think this is a great idea for pet cemeteries! 🐾💕 It's amazing how much love and care we pour into our furry friends, and it feels like a natural step to give them a proper goodbye too. I mean, when was the last time you saw a family plan a funeral for their dog or cat? 🤔 They deserve just as much respect as we would want if they were human. Plus, think of all the happy memories that could be shared at these cemeteries – it's like one big pet reunion! 😊 I'm glad to see cities like Barcelona getting on board with this idea. And yeah, maybe not everyone can afford a traditional cemetery spot, but digital options and online forums are great alternatives too. The emotional significance of our pet relationships is so real, and it's about time we acknowledge that with more ceremonies and memorials. 🐾❤️
 
I'm so glad to see this trend gaining momentum! 🐾💕 It's amazing how people are finally recognizing the deep bond we share with our furry friends. I mean, think about it - we're already going through elaborate funerals for our pets, complete with eulogies and everything! It's time we take it up a notch by creating spaces where we can actually say goodbye in a meaningful way.

I also love that this initiative is being driven by demand from the public. It just goes to show that people are finally accepting of the fact that our pets are part of our families, too. 🐶💕 And let's be real, who wouldn't want to visit a pet cemetery with their loved ones? It's like visiting a memory lane for all the happy moments you shared with your furry BFF.

Of course, I know not everyone can afford the costs associated with a public pet cemetery, but that's why online alternatives are popping up left and right. It's great to see people finding ways to honor their pets' memories in whatever way feels right to them. 💫
 
Wow 😊, I think its interesting how society has changed over time, especially when it comes to treating animals like family members. The fact that people are now looking for ways to honor their pets after they die is just a reflection of how much we love and care about them 🐾💕
 
🐾💕 I think its really awesome that public pet cemeteries are becoming more popular, especially in Europe where it seems like a long-standing tradition already. Im glad to see people recognizing the strong bonds we have with our furry friends and wanting to give them proper sendoffs. The fact that its becoming more socially acceptable for people to express their grief is also a positive change 🙏.
 
🐾💔 i think its super awesome that people are demanding more public pet cemeteries especially in barcelona 🇪🇸 theyre offering burials and cremations now which is so kind to those who can't afford traditional ones online forums and digital pet cemeteries r also a great alternative for ppl who cant visit the cemetery its all about giving pets the respect they deserve after we lose them 🐾💕
 
🐾💔 u know what's wild? i was watching this vid of a cat "playing" with a laser pointer the other day & i swear my dog was trying to imitate it in her sleep 😂. anyway, back to pets... have u ever noticed how our emotional attachment to them is kinda like having a human family member who's always judging us 🤦‍♀️? like, we still grieve for them even when they're not here, right? 🙏
 
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