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Editor’s note: Eric Tourigni The lecturer is in historical archeology at Newcastle University in Great Britain. His research interpreters osteological and material culture, in addition to historical texts to examine changes in the relationship between human animals in Europe and North America during the last 500 years. Attitudes expressed in this comment are his. Read more opinion on CNN.
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Why do we bury our outgoing loved ones in the cemetery? The primary purpose is to survive the opportunity to swallow and get a feeling of closing. The cemetery is a place for a living as much as it is the place for the dead.
But what about the one when it was dearly deviated not human – but our pets?
The Spanish city of Barcelona recently announced that they would invest in the establishment of The first national pet for pets in the country. Set to open next year, will also offer funages and cremations – with estimated 7,000 conducted every year.
For me, as someone spent years, he researched the development of a pet cemetery elsewhere in the world, this news arrived as a shock. Barcelona is a densely populated city with limited land privately owned – those where 50% of families own a pet.
How is it the city Home up to 180,000 dogs You don’t already have a pets public cemetery? So far, the service has provided only private sectors, toward Barcelonic councilor for climate emergency and ecological transition, Eloi Badia. He added that the initiative funded by the municipality caused by the “Permanent Request for the Public”.
After all, public cemetery pets in Europe and America From the end of the 19th century. The first British Cemetery for Public Pet appeared in London Hide Park 1881. years. The New York Hartsdale cemetery was founded in 1896. year, and then several years later Parish “Ornate Cimetiere des Chiens 1899.
I am interested in the history of modern practice for pets during the investigation of the archaeological records of the Legal House in Toronto. I came across (a very) big dog buried in the back garden that, according to the historical record, was occupied between 1840. and 1870. years.
This dog survived to older age, but unfortunately, he suffered from degenerative common disease and severe infections during the last months. His tolelo has progressed such a state that suggests that he received some level of care in the last weeks. He was then buried in his personal conspiracy behind the family house.
This older dog has brought me to think about different ways people communicate with your pets after death. Would this behavior be able to reflect relations that they held in life in life? In this case, why take the time to carefully bury the dog in your own space when the rest, existing easier options?
It is, after all, at any time when people often put their dead pets in the river or could sell bodies for meat and skin.
Good hygiene is an obvious reason to choose a funeral – no one wants breaking animal bodies on the street or their garden – but it would not immediately order a personalized, dedicated funeral and tombstones.
The most frequent option would be the disposal of a deceased animal with household waste. But such treatment would obviously feel less ceremoniously and would not offer appropriate emotional closure to what is probably an important relationship.
Like human funeral, pet funeral is an intimate cultural practice, one that changes over time and is rejected from variable relationships that society has with its well-kept creatures.
My Studying historical tombstones and inscriptions in Britain From today, today it shows that it is a variable relationship for the human animal. In the 19th century, the tombstones were often dedicated to the “love friend” or “dedicated to the companion”, it proposes that pets mostly considered important friends.
By the early 20th century, pets became members of the family – she testified to the appearance of family surnames on tombstones and love for epitaphs written by “Mom and Dad”.
The relationship of society according to the role of animals in the afterlife can also be found. Fast forward several decades later, and the tombstones are more likely to carve the gathering at the time. For example, the owners of Denny, “Brave Cat” buried in the 1952 Cemetery in 1952. years, they wrote about their inscription “God blessing until we meet again.”
I wonder what the inscriptions in the New Cemetery of Barcelona will reveal on modern catalog relations with animals.
Over time, our ways of treating our animal dead reflect even closer to relationships in life. Once strictly prohibited by law, the last decade saw many jurisdictions, such as New York State, which allows Burying cremated animals and peoplewhich will undoubtedly lead to a change in the practice of wrong and commemorations for both people and animals.
For me, the most prominent similarity between a modern and historic cemetery of pets are striking evidence of cardiac and taboos around the suing animals.
The connection that someone has with its pet can be as strong and equally significant as their relationships with other people. However, today, as more than over 100 years ago, individuals continue to find the appropriate socket to express their pain, fearing fear of social consequences in order to come into public recognition of the existence of such a relationship.
SSPCA assures the public On your website If they shouldn’t feel embarrassment for their grief. In the UK, charity such as Blue cross and Rainbow Bridge Center Grouf Center Offer counseling to mourn people.
Close relations between people and animals existed for millennia, but in Western European cultures there were several eligible ways to grieve these connections. As society becomes more accepted by the importance of human animals towards our collective prosperity, it is not surprising to accompany us rituals that remind them of those we use to mourn the loss of our closest human relationships.
To estimated costs of € 200 (217 USD) at the new Barcelona Cemetery, it is important to admit that this opportunity to fucks not financially available to everyone in the city.
This will not be space for all city pets. Pets owners can decide to cremate the cremated residues in their house or spread ash in a meaningful location. Internet forums and Digital pet cemetery Also provide other opportunities to mark the relationship and express sorrow.
Whether someone chooses a pet cemetery or no, there are many acceptable ways to express your grief – and remember your relationship with important animals in your life.
