Do cats need graves? A detailed explanation of types such as gardens, pet cemeteries, and being with the owner, and methods of memorialization

For a cat owner, their cat is a beloved partner. While you would want to spend your whole life together, a time of farewell will eventually come...

In your grief, you will have to face questions like how to handle the funeral and where to place the grave. To ensure your beloved cat can rest in peace, it is important to think about their grave ahead of time.

To help prepare for that day, we would like to explore options for cat graves and memorial services.

"Cremation" is the most common path after a cat passes away

As introduced in "What to do when your cat passes away? A detailed guide to the flow of funerals, cremation, and memorial services," it is standard practice to cremate a cat's remains.

You can hire a pet cemetery or pet funeral service to hold a funeral and cremation just as you would for a human. Your cat's bones and ashes will be returned to you in an urn.

Many owners want to provide a respectful memorial for their cats, and there are many ways to do so. Broadly speaking, there are three types: "memorial services at home," "services at a temple or pet cemetery," and "scattering ashes."

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, there is no single "right" way, so feel free to choose a memorial method that best suits your family's wishes.

1. Memorial services at home

If you keep the memorial at the home where you lived with your cat, you can visit them at any time.

You can purchase a pet butsudan (Buddhist altar) or ihai (memorial tablet), or simply set aside a small space for their urn, photo, and offerings to serve as a makeshift altar. Keeping it in a room where the family gathers, like the living room, can provide peace of mind as you can keep an eye on it.

However, please note the following points if you decide to build a grave in your home garden:

• Ensure the burial site is not on a public road or someone else's property.
• Ensure there are no gas or water pipes running through the area.
• Bury the bones or ashes at a depth of at least 50cm.
• Place a gravestone or marker so you know where they are buried.

The gravestone can be anything you like, and there are types that allow you to engrave the cat's name or insert a photo. You can order these online, so look for one that feels right.

2. Memorial services at a temple or pet cemetery

There is also a growing need for services at temples or pet cemeteries, considering future moves or the possibility that no one will be left to care for the remains.

Just as with humans, you can place the remains in a charnel house (ossuary) or build a grave in a pet cemetery. Since terms like "perpetual memorial" vary by location, be sure to check the rules thoroughly.

Many owners also wish to be buried in the same grave as their cat. While some regular temples or cemeteries allow this, you must never bury a cat's remains in a human grave without permission.

In recent years, more non-denominational cemeteries have begun allowing pets and owners to be buried together, so do some research if you are interested.

3. Scattering ashes

Another memorial method is scattering, where the cat's remains are ground into a powder and returned to nature.

If you scatter the ashes in your garden or a potted plant, you can keep your cat close to you always. Other options include "marine scattering" at sea, or "tree burials" available at some pet cemeteries.

While there are no legal restrictions on scattering pet ashes, doing so in parks or the ocean can easily cause trouble. Since professionals can process the remains into a fine, clean powder, it is recommended to hire a specialist service that handles pet scattering.

Alternatively, there is "personal memorial", where you keep a portion of the ashes in a pendant or small figurine instead of scattering or burying all of them.

Summary

Whether or not a cat grave or butsudan is necessary is a personal choice for every owner. No matter which memorial method you choose, you can express your gratitude and love for your cat. Take your time to consider your options so you have no regrets.

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