Losing a beloved pet is an incredibly tough experience. Grieving the loss and figuring out how to handle your deceased cat’s remains can be overwhelming. To help you through this difficult time, we’ve compiled a list of three easy ways to handle the remains of your cherished feline friend.

1. Burial

Burying your cat can be a simple and meaningful way to say your final goodbyes. Choose a location that holds significance, such as your backyard or near a favorite tree where they spent their afternoons lazing around. Before you proceed, make sure to check local laws and regulations about burying pets on your property.

To prepare for the burial, wrap your cat in a blanket or shroud, or place them in a biodegradable pet casket. Dig a hole at least three feet deep to prevent attracting any scavengers. Place your cat’s remains in the hole, and fill it back up with soil. Consider planting a tree or flowers over the grave site as an ongoing tribute to their memory.

2. Cremation

Cremating your cat provides you with more flexibility in how you wish to memorialize them. Many pet cremation services offer individual or communal options. Individual cremation ensures that you receive only your pet’s ashes, while communal cremation entails the cremation of multiple pets in the same chamber.

Following cremation, you will receive your cat’s ashes in an urn or container of your choice. You can keep these ashes in a cherished spot in your home, scatter them at a special location, or even incorporate them into unique memorial items like jewelry or glass artwork.

3. Pet Cemetery

If you don’t have access to private property suitable for burial and prefer not to have the ashes at home, you might consider interring your cat at a pet cemetery. These facilities often provide both burial and cremation services, along with a dedicated final resting place for your cat. You can personalize this resting place with a headstone, engraved plaque, or other memorabilia.

Before opting for a pet cemetery, it’s crucial to research and visit different locations to find the one suitable for you and your deceased pet. Check their maintenance policies, fees, and permanence guarantees to ensure that your pet’s grave will be respectfully maintained.

No matter which option you choose, remember that it’s essential to allow yourself time to grieve and honor your cat’s memory in a way that brings comfort to you. In time, the heartache will ease, but the fond memories of your feline friend will always remain.