End of Life and Funeral Planning

Eco-friendly pet caskets - leaving a smaller pawprint

Our most recent press release highlighted our range of green pet caskets:

REDUCING THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PAWPRINT:
EARTH-FRIENDLY PET CASKETS

Lisle, IL – In an effort to help their furry friends go green, Americans are turning to products including hemp dog hoodies and organic jerky treats. While these products help pets stay eco-savvy in the here-and-now, consumers can also ensure their pets are just as eco-friendly in the hereafter. A new line of biodegradable pet caskets helps owners honor cherished pets – with minimal impact on the environment. 

       The caskets, found at RichardLamb.com, are made of fully biodegradable, recycled materials and sustainably harvested mulberry tree bark. As a result, both the production process and finished product have less impact on the environment.

       “Our clients view their pets as beloved family members,” says Richard Lamb, the memorial merchandising Web site’s founder and 37-year funeral industry veteran.

“They’re increasingly choosing to honor their pets with memorial and burial services, and many are pleased to learn they can do so in a way that reflects their desire to lead an environmentally conscious life.”

Pet loss resource: Argus Institute

The Argus Institute, based at the Colorado State University, offers a range of articles on pet loss and the grieving process for families and veterinarians. Topics include:

• Common grief symptoms
• Understanding grief
• Factors that complicate grief
• Deciding to euthanize your pet

Visit the Argus Institute to view the full library

Our Pet Caskets

Our pet caskets are available in styles to fit any budget and pet personality, so you can honor your cherished pet without breaking the bank. Now, they're an even better value just for our blog readers. Save 10% off any pet casket by entering the code blogpc during checkout. Choose from genuine hardwood, eco-friendly choices or our best buy American-made pet caskets.

Standard shipping is free, and expedited shipping is available at the shipper's rates. Unlike some retailers, we don't use shipping charges as a profit center.

Learn more about our pet caskets, and remember to use discount code blogpc>

River Rock Pet Memorials

Created from natural stones, our river rock pet memorials are a new and affordable way to honor your pet. Suitable for home or garden display, each is a unique piece created from a smooth river stone and inscribed with the image and words of your choice.  Available in three sizes and crafted using a process that ensures durability, no matter what the weather.

View the river rock pet memorial stones

Real wood pet caskets

We take pride in offering memorials that are crafted by hand from natural materials. We have found a craftsman who uses fashions pet caskets out of real oak and pine, using dovetail construction. Most of the pet caskets you see online are made from plastic and other synthetics. A few even resemble take-out containers - hardly a suitable resting place for a cherished pet.

Pet loss counseling

According to Beth Cook, a licensed social worker, "whether your pet has four legs or two wings, meows or whinnies, you  know that your companion has been steadfast and loyal to you. If you are contemplating the decision of having to end his suffering or have  lost her to a sudden or slow death, you know the world may not be very patient with or understanding of your grief."

Beth Cook offers pet loss counseling in the Chicago area to families who have lost pets. Her site includes a pet loss bibliography.

Free book on explaining pet loss to children: We have a few complimentary copies of A Special Place for Charlee left.  After those are gone, you may order one for a nominal shipping fee.

Saving memories of your favorite feline

We aren't leaving cat owners out when it comes to memorials that match a pet's personality. We have just begun to offer cat memory boxes inspired by the masterworks of the 20th Century. These wood boxes, which work equally well as memory boxes or urns, feature art tiles based on the works on Chagall, Rousseau, and Van Gogh.

View the full collection of cat memory boxes

Dog owner turns her grief into art

When her beloved Labrador Retriever died, an artist set about crafting by hand an urn that was truly representative of her dog's life. The urn she created shows a yellow Lab in a park, surrounded by bouncing tennis balls. On the inside, she hung a photograph of her dog, along with the dog tags. The urn rests on three posts, instead of four, as a reminder that something is missing from her life.

Over time, she began crafting urns to help other pet owners memorialize their cats and dogs. We are proud to offer these handmade pet urns to our customers. Each of these pet urns has as much personality as any dog, and they all created by hand in the United States. In addition to our collection of her urns for dogs, we offer the opportunity to create a fully custom urn. We will work with you to create a memorial that reflects the character of your four-legged companion.

View our collection of these handcrafted pet memorials>

P.S. Save $10 today by entering the code peturn0807 during the checkout process.

A few pet resources of interest

Some pet welfare websites and blogs you might want to read:

The Pet Work Blog
A variety of resources covering everything from canine cancer to gourmet pet treats.

PAWS Chicago
Illinois organization dedicated to animal welfare.  Hosts adoption events and runs a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Chicago.

Great Green Pets
Trying to live a greener lifestyle? Get your pets into the act.

You can find more organizations on our resources page.

What should you do when your cat dies?

About.com has advice on taking care of a deceased pet cat's remains. Cremation is a common and convenient method, but burial - at home or in a pet cemetery - remains a popular way to memorialize a cat. There are also unorthodox options, including taxidermy and freeze drying.

Read the full article: http://cats.about.com/od/lossandgrieving/a/handlingremains.htm