How to Bury a Dog

Choose a burial site. If you own land, you may be able to bury your dog on it, but first check local ordinances. Many areas have pet cemeteries that you can find by visiting websites like Cherished Memories, which is building a list of national pet cemeteries and crematoriums.

Decide whether you want to use a casket. For some, a casket feels more like a proper burial, while others prefer to wrap their dog in a shroud for burial. You can also choose to bury your dog with no covering. You can buy a casket for your dog at Angel Sleeping Pet Caskets.

Invite your family and anyone who loved your dog to the burial. Exclude anyone who might not understand the depth of your relationship with your dog. You should be surrounded by those who both loved your dog and believe in the importance of creating a burial ritual.

Dig the grave deep enough so that weather conditions and scavenging animals can't unbury your dog. If you're burying your dog at a pet cemetery, the staff completes this step for you.

Place your dog in the grave, along with any of his favorite toys or tokens of your love. Some pet cemeteries have equipment much like human cemeteries that lowers the casket into the grave, and staff may perform this part of the burial for you.

Encourage everyone in attendance to share a positive memory that illustrates your dog's personality and the love they felt for her. You may also want to deliver a eulogy or offer a prayer at the graveside.

Fill in the grave. If you're burying your dog at a pet cemetery that fills the grave in for you, toss a handful of earth into the grave to help symbolize the closure of your relationship with him.

Choose a marker for your dog's gravesite that can help you celebrate your dog's life. This doesn't have to be a gravestone, but instead can be a plant, a distinctive rock or anything that reminds you of your dog and encourages celebration rather than mourning.