One of the saddest things in life is the death of a beloved pet. Regardless of the circumstance, it can be overwhelming to make decisions about “next steps.” Many owners find comfort in burying their pet in their own back yard, but for city dwellers, it’s against the law.

Vets offer basic services to dispose of or cremate the pet. If you are more sentimental and want to have personalized services, the options range from basic to elaborate with prices to match ($200–$7,000). Some companies offer specialized services; you can be there while your pet is cremated, along with your other pet, so they can see or smell their deceased friend to make it easier for them to accept the loss. You’ll be shown a selection of urns, plaques and burial site options. The option to put a deposit down on an adjacent plot for your other pet(s) is available. You may be surprised to learn that unlike humans, pet cremation and burials are priced by the weight and size of pet. At pet cemeteries, dog lots are more expensive than cats, and many have surcharges for larger pets that weigh over 65lbs. We find this really hard to wrap our heads around.

Losing a pet is a loss for the whole family, and it takes time and love to heal. Whether you wish to have your pet’s ashes in an urn that you keep on the mantle, buried in a pet cemetery, stuffed or cryogenically preserved, the one thing we know for sure is that their spirit will live on fur-ever.

In loving memory of Fluffy Ducharme.