NAPFD Consumer Report - Burial

When faced with the death of a pet, many families are ill prepared to make the difficult decisions relating to the final laying to rest of their beloved companion. Although no one likes to think about the loss of a dear friend, death is an inevitable part of life. Choices which may be difficult now, will seem impossible at the time of loss.

Before you, the pet owner, can make the appropriate choices for your pet’s after death care, you must know what services are available and how to find a reputable business to provide those services. Please review this report and educate yourself on what services are available in your area. I recommend calling and asking questions before making decisions what services you are going to use. It is your responsibility to make these arrangements. Don’t let someone else make them for you.

Because of the incredible potential for fraud within the pet cremation/burial industry, we have prepared this report to assist you in selecting the services you feel most comfortable with. Listed below are the definitions of common Terms used within the industry along with a number of Questions you should ask anyone who offers to provide for your pet’s final care.

The following terms are used by disposal companies and are totally unacceptable forms of disposition by the NAPFD:

Mass Burial - the burial of many pets at a time with no pet owner visitation rights

Mass Incineration/Disposal - Which includes but not limited to communal burial, landfill dumping, rendering for use as by-products in animal feed, laboratory research, etc.

Questions to ask when considering burying your Companion animal in a pet cemetery

1. What is the Cost for the Burial and what is included in that price? Casket? Marker? Perpetual Care Fee? Pick-up Fee? etc.

2. Is this property deed restricted to insure that it will never be used for anything other than a pet cemetery?

3. How many burials do you do per year?

4. How many lots do you have available for burial?

5. Will I receive a burial agreement telling me my rights as it pertains to my companion animal’s burial?

6. Do you have a irrevocable trust fund? Where is it deposited?

7. Is there any reason that my companion animal will be disinterred from this cemetery?
    If so, where will it be placed?

8. How long will it take for you to do the burial once you receive my companion animal? Can I be present for the burial?

9. What are the visitation hours of the pet cemetery?

10. If you have a yearly maintenance fee, and the fee is not paid, what happens to my rights to that burial lot?