Many American pet guardians have had to deal with the grief and sadness that comes with the loss of a cat or dog. Those who want to hold a proper ceremony for their furry friend may find it easier to do now than ever before, as The Associated Press reports that the pet funeral home industry is on the rise.
Coleen A. Ellis is credited with creating the first stand-alone pet funeral home in Indianapolis. Since she opened her business in 2004, more than 750 pet funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries have opened up across the nation. Additionally, many funeral homes for humans have expanded their services for pet parents.
There is even a committee known as the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, a subset of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association. The group recently had its second annual meeting in Las Vegas.
Funerals and memorial services for working dogs are among the most common. According to the news source, a 30-minute ceremony for a dog who died in the line of duty working with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was attended by 150 people.