The practice of burying our departed loved ones in a cemetery is often taken for granted, but it's a tradition that serves multiple purposes, including providing emotional closure for survivors. However, what about when the dearly departed are not human, but rather our pets?
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards establishing public pet cemeteries, where owners can bury their beloved animals in a designated area. One such example is the new pet cemetery in Barcelona, which aims to provide a space for over 7,000 pets to be laid to rest each year.
This news came as a surprise to Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology at Newcastle University who has spent years researching the development of pet cemeteries elsewhere in the world. According to Tourigny, public pet cemeteries have been around in Europe and the Americas since the late 19th century, but there was no reason why Barcelona wouldn't establish one given its high percentage of pet owners.
Tourigny's own experiences with the burial of a dog in Toronto led him to wonder about the different ways people interact with the bodies of their pets after death. He suggests that this behavior may reflect the relationships they held with their animals in life, and raises questions about why owners would choose to bury their pets rather than dispose of them in other ways.
The study of historic gravestones and epitaphs reveals a changing human-animal relationship over time. In the 19th century, gravestones often referred to pets as "loving friends" or "devoted companions," while by the early 20th century, they were more likely to be buried with family members and have family surnames on their tombstones.
Fast forward to today, and Tourigny notes that society's attitude towards animals in the afterlife has changed. While it is still not socially acceptable to express grief over the loss of a pet publicly, there are many ways for owners to commemorate their relationships with their animals, including online forums and digital pet cemeteries.
Ultimately, the establishment of public pet cemeteries like the one in Barcelona provides an important outlet for pet owners to grieve and express their love for their departed companions. While it may not be financially available to everyone, it is a necessary step towards recognizing the significance of human-animal relationships and providing a space for owners to mourn the loss of their beloved pets.
As Tourigny notes, "the connection that someone has with their pet can be just as strong and just as significant as their relationships with other humans." By acknowledging this, we can begin to move away from the stigma surrounding grief over animal loss and create a more inclusive and compassionate society.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards establishing public pet cemeteries, where owners can bury their beloved animals in a designated area. One such example is the new pet cemetery in Barcelona, which aims to provide a space for over 7,000 pets to be laid to rest each year.
This news came as a surprise to Eric Tourigny, a lecturer in historical archaeology at Newcastle University who has spent years researching the development of pet cemeteries elsewhere in the world. According to Tourigny, public pet cemeteries have been around in Europe and the Americas since the late 19th century, but there was no reason why Barcelona wouldn't establish one given its high percentage of pet owners.
Tourigny's own experiences with the burial of a dog in Toronto led him to wonder about the different ways people interact with the bodies of their pets after death. He suggests that this behavior may reflect the relationships they held with their animals in life, and raises questions about why owners would choose to bury their pets rather than dispose of them in other ways.
The study of historic gravestones and epitaphs reveals a changing human-animal relationship over time. In the 19th century, gravestones often referred to pets as "loving friends" or "devoted companions," while by the early 20th century, they were more likely to be buried with family members and have family surnames on their tombstones.
Fast forward to today, and Tourigny notes that society's attitude towards animals in the afterlife has changed. While it is still not socially acceptable to express grief over the loss of a pet publicly, there are many ways for owners to commemorate their relationships with their animals, including online forums and digital pet cemeteries.
Ultimately, the establishment of public pet cemeteries like the one in Barcelona provides an important outlet for pet owners to grieve and express their love for their departed companions. While it may not be financially available to everyone, it is a necessary step towards recognizing the significance of human-animal relationships and providing a space for owners to mourn the loss of their beloved pets.
As Tourigny notes, "the connection that someone has with their pet can be just as strong and just as significant as their relationships with other humans." By acknowledging this, we can begin to move away from the stigma surrounding grief over animal loss and create a more inclusive and compassionate society.
! It's amazing how our attitudes towards pets have shifted over time. I mean, think about it, back in the day, pets were just seen as part of the family, but not necessarily as individuals with their own feelings and personalities.
I'm all for public pet cemeteries like the one in Barcelona, but isn't it a bit pricey? 
I mean, 7,000 pets a year is a lot of burials. What's to stop people from just disposing of them in other ways if they can't afford the fees? 
And what about environmental concerns? We should be thinking about the impact on our planet when we're planning these cemeteries 
. Still, I get why pet owners need a space to grieve, and this could be a good starting point for that. Maybe we can find ways to make it more affordable or sustainable in the future 
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. We used to view pets as more than just companions, we saw them as part of the family. And now, we're starting to recognize that they can bring us just as much joy and love as human relationships 
. It's a step in the right direction, for sure! 
it's like, animals r not just pets anymore, they're part of the fam 
and can u imagine how much closure it'll give people to finally lay their fur babies to rest? 
even tho i don't have any pets myself, i'm all about it 
. I mean, can you imagine not being able to say goodbye or leave a mark on their final resting place? 
Those pet cemeteries are more than just places for animals - they're also for us, as owners, to process our emotions and celebrate the memories we shared with our pets 
. And yeah, it's crazy how human-animal relationships have evolved over time 
. From loving friends to family members, it's all about recognizing that our pets are loved just as much as humans 
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. Pet owners deserve a special place 2 pay respects 2 their furry friends after they pass away 
! Like who knew animals were so precious they need their own graveyard 
. But seriously though, it's awesome that we're recognizing human-animal relationships as more than just a joke 
, I guess he's been buried under my work too 
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. I wish more cities would follow Barcelona's lead and create these spaces - it would be amazing for owners who've lost their furry friends to have a safe place to grieve 
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this is so cool! I had no idea that people were establishing public pet cemeteries like in Barcelona. It's amazing how our attitude towards animals has changed over time, especially when it comes to the afterlife 
Interesting that there are over 7,000 pets set to be buried in Barcelona each year... that's a lot of love and loss