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Even pets have options when it comes to burials
Monday, June 04, 2007
For some people, pets are members of the family. They sleep in the bed, eat whatever the humans are having, and travel in designer pet carriers.
So what happens when a cherished four-legged friend reaches the end of the line?
Extras
Individual pet cremation is an option that allows pet owners to treat their pets as well in death as they did in life.
Littleton and Rue Funeral Home, located at 830 North Limestone Street, has offered cremation services for domestic pets for a decade.
"It allows us to take care of the community in another important way," said Rob Rue, funeral director and co-owner of Littleton.
The demand for pet cremation services is on the rise, too. Rue said his company provided services to more than 700 pet owners last year and expects to serve more customers this year.
"Today, people are more transient and they don't want to bury a pet only to leave it behind when they move," he said.
To ease all of their customers' concerns, Rue said, his business is in full compliance with Federal law which requires a funeral home to operate a separate crematory for animals.
Pet owners are concerned that their cherished friends will be well-cared for, Rue said. Many pet owners need to be assured they will receive the remains of their pet. To that end, Rue said a metal tag is attached to the pet and stays with that pet throughout the process.
The remains are then transferred to a hand-carved wooden urn with a nameplate. The funeral home also issues a certificate of cremation to the owner.
Rue said Littleton offers transportation from a veterinarian's office or a home and returns remains in five to seven days. The average pet cremation costs $100 and 10 percent of the cost is donated to The Humane Society.
Service animals are cremated at no charge as a tribute to their contribution.
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In addition to pet cremation services, Littleton and Rue offers:
• A once-yearly pet bereavement group held in the Fall
• Holiday tribute group
• Pet Paws grief support newsletter
• Pre-planning and pre-payment options
• A selection of pet urns
• Monuments and pet markers
