Pet Burial

Whole-body natural pet burial offers a simple and deeply respectful way to return your beloved companion to the earth. Our whole-body pet burial follows the same natural approach as our human whole-body burials.

Pets may be buried in a natural-fiber shroud or in a biodegradable casket. Shrouds must be made of 100% natural fibers, and caskets must be constructed entirely of natural, biodegradable materials. Because a larger grave is required, there is an additional fee for casketed burials. Find more details and specific requirements on our Policies page.

A grave appropriate to your pet’s size is prepared, and the grave floor covered with evergreen boughs, as is the soil mound beside it. Your pet companion, shrouded or casketed according to your choice, is either lovingly carried or transported on our hand-drawn burial cart to the graveside. 

After the ceremony, your beloved companion is lowered into the earth and “tucked in” with a blanket of evergreen boughs. The soil is returned in the reverse order in which it was removed and gently mounded over the grave, then adorned with evergreen boughs. In time, the mound softens and settles with the seasons, slowly returning to the surrounding soil horizon.

A meaningful part of natural burial is that families are always welcome to participate in any of these steps, from lowering and “tucking in” their companion to helping close the grave.

For families who choose cremation, we help maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem by gently mixing an amendment with the cremated remains before burial. This mitigates the high pH and sodium levels that can result from the cremation process.

At Great River Natural Burial, our burial practice for cremated pet companion remains follows the same natural approach we use for human cremated remains. A small grave is dug, and the majority of the blended remains and amendment is placed directly into the grave before the ceremony. The grave floor is lined with evergreen boughs, as is the soil mound beside it.

Before the ceremony begins, a symbolic portion of the mixed remains is set aside in a simple urn made from a hollowed oak trunk. During the ceremony, the family is invited to gently pour this symbolic portion into the grave and “tuck” their pet companion’s remains in with evergreen boughs. After the ceremony, soil is returned in the reverse order as it was removed, and the soil mound is covered in evergreen boughs. The mound will soften and settle with the seasons, returning to the surrounding soil horizon over time.

A meaningful part of natural burial is that families are always welcome to participate in any of these steps, from gently pouring the amended remains in the grave and “tucking in” their pet companion to helping close the grave.

For families who choose composting, we offer the option to lay your pet companion’s composted remains to rest in a dedicated plot, gently returned to the earth with native loam. We do require a soil test of the compost showing carbon to nitrogen ratio, nutrient value, maturity, and any pathogen/bacteria present when accepting composted remains into our care. 

At Great River Natural Burial, our burial practice for composted pet companions remains follows the same natural approach we use for human composted remains. A grave is dug, which is larger and shallower than a whole-body grave. The grave floor is lined with evergreen boughs, as is the soil mound beside it. 

After the ceremony, or as part of your ceremony, layers of the compost and natural loam are returned to the grave, with a layer of native loam over the top. A small mound of native loam remains after the grave is closed, to allow for the settling of the mixed compost and loam, which is covered in evergreen boughs. The mound will soften and settle with the seasons, returning to the surrounding soil horizon over time. 

A meaningful part of natural burial is that families are always welcome to participate in any of these steps, from gently layering the compost and native loam, to decorating the grave mound with evergreen boughs.