Pet Cemetery FAQ
A natural pet burial is an eco-friendly alternative that returns your pet’s body gently to the earth in a biodegradable casket or shroud, without vaults, plastics, or chemicals. Click here for more information on what to expect at a natural burial for a pet companion.
Unlike cremation, your pet’s body is laid to rest intact, allowing natural return to the soil, not an ending but a continuation of life through the soil, the trees, and the creatures who share this place.
Unlike conventional burial, natural burial avoids non-biodegradable materials and focuses on nurturing and restoring the land.
Whole-body pet companion burials take place in our dedicated pet burial area, Paws in Peace. For humans who wish to be buried alongside their pet companions, our Whole Family Burial area allows for pet companions to be buried next to their human companions in adjacent plots.
If your pet companion has been cremated or composted, 100% natural and biodegradable material is welcome to be placed in an open human grave at the time of the human burial. The burial of all cremated remains at Great River requires an amendment, gently mixed with the cremated remains before burial. This helps maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem by mitigating the high pH and sodium levels that can result from the cremation process.
Multiple names may be engraved on a headstone, if chosen.
Yes, many families choose to pre-plan for peace of mind. Choosing a plot and pre-payment ensures your wishes are recorded and relieves the burden of those decisions at a difficult time. It also guarantees current pricing. Contact us to pre-plan arrangements.
Yes, adjacent plots can be combined to form companion plots in the Paws in Peace pet meadow. In our Whole Family Burial area, multiple pets can be buried in a single plot, next to the plot of their human companions. Multiple names can be engraved on a single headstone if chosen.
All of our plots in each of our two pet companion burial areas are the same price respectively. The cost of the opening and closing of the grave varies depending on the size of your pet. For example, the cost for opening and closing of a large dog’s grave will differ from that of a cat. See our pet cemetery pricing.
Yes, you are welcome to hold a service that feels meaningful to you.
Yes, families and friends are welcome to participate as much or as little as they wish throughout the burial. Some ways you may participate include carrying or lowering your pet companion, “tucking” them in with evergreen boughs, gently returning soil during the closing of the grave or placing flowers in or on the grave.
If your pet’s death is expected or scheduled, you are welcome to contact us ahead of time. This allows you to preplan their burial, take a tour if desired, and select a plot. If you prefer, we can help you choose a plot remotely through photos and video, or select a plot on your behalf.
If your pet has already passed and immediate burial is needed, please contact us as soon as possible. We may need up to 48 hours to prepare the grave, depending on the cemetery schedule.
Families may bring their pet directly to Great River Natural Burial, or work with a friend, veterinarian, or pet transport service.
There is no need to rush. Many families find comfort in taking time to sit with their pet, sharing final goodbyes in the quiet of home.
When you are ready, place a protective layer on the floor, such as plastic with newspaper, or a blanket, and gently lay your pet on top. Cover them with another blanket or towel. If you wish to keep your pet at home for a little while, you may use ice packs or dry ice to help keep the body cool. Your veterinarian may also be able to provide refrigeration until burial.
There is no need to rush. Most veterinary clinics can provide refrigeration until the time of burial, giving you time to decide what feels right. You may choose to bring your pet home for final goodbyes or arrange to pick them up from your veterinarian prior to burial.
Families are welcome to bring their own burial container. This may be a shroud, a casket, or another natural container that meets our natural burial guidelines. 100% natural fiber fabric suitable for shrouds is readily available at most fabric stores. Great River Natural Burial also offers a selection of caskets that are 100% natural and biodegradable. Please see the FAQ below, “What kind of casket, shroud, or burial container is required?” for more details.
Use of a shroud or burial container is optional. The grave floor is lined with evergreen boughs and, after your pet companion is lowered into the earth, they are gently “tucked in” with additional evergreen boughs.
For those families who choose to use a burial container, pets may be buried in a shroud or casket. All burial containers and shrouds must be made of 100% natural, biodegradable materials. Simple wraps or shrouds of 100% natural fiber fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool, or hemp are welcome, as are rigid containers constructed of wood or woven natural materials.
We ask that bed sheets not be used, as many are treated with chemical finishes (including fire-retardant or wrinkle-resistant treatments) that can interfere with natural decomposition and introduce persistent chemicals into the soil.
Caskets must be constructed entirely of natural, biodegradable materials. No metals finishes or toxic glues may be used. Because casketed burials typically require a larger grave, an additional fee applies.
Families may make their own shroud or casket, purchase one from a third party, or select a hand-woven casket offered by Great River.
Small, 100% natural and biodegradable personal tokens are welcome in or on the grave.
Graves are hand dug and the grave floor is decorated with evergreen boughs. If chosen, a natural stone or wooden memorial marker may be placed at the gravesite. Whether a memorialization marker is chosen, burials are always recorded in our permanent cemetery records. See pet memorialization options available at Great River.
Memorialization options for pet companions are the same as for their human companions. Choose a natural boulder or a salvaged timber headstone, and/or a living tribute tree.
Families are welcome to visit during our open hours. See our Burial Site Rules for details.
The pet cemetery trail itself starts with a short, gentle slope followed by a level gravel path approximately one-fifth of a mile in length. If requested and arranged in advance, we can provide additional assistance accessing the pet cemetery.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome to accompany visitors, including during burial ceremonies with the family’s approval. We simply ask that dogs remain under control out of respect for the wildlife on the land and that any waste be picked up.
