Farewelling a Pet
For so many of us, our pets are as much a part of the family as anyone. They are our companions through the hardest times, the ones who greet us every morning without question. When they die, or when we start to think about what will happen to them if we die, it deserves the same care and thought we give every other significant loss.
When Your Pet Dies
Giving your pet a good farewell
Losing a pet brings real grief, even when others around you don’t always understand the depth of it. There is no right or wrong way to mark the end of your pet’s life. What matters is that it feels meaningful to you. Whether that’s a quiet moment in the garden, a small gathering of people who loved them, or simply taking your time before deciding what to do next, give yourself permission to do it your way.
If your pet dies and you’re not sure what to do, you can contact your vet who will be able to advise on next steps, help with paperwork, and connect you with local services for burial or cremation.
Burial: what are your options in New Zealand?
Burying at home
Burying a pet on your own property is one of the most common choices in New Zealand. It’s legal on private land (check with your local council if you’re unsure about your specific property type or zoning), and for many people it feels right to keep their animal companion close.
A few practical considerations:
- Dig deep enough, at least 60–90cm, to prevent disturbance
- Choose a spot away from any water sources, vegetable gardens, or underground pipes or cables
- A biodegradable shroud, wooden box, or even a favourite blanket can be used
- Mark the spot with something meaningful; a stone, a plant, a small plaque
If you are renting, check with your landlord before proceeding.
Pet cemeteries
Dedicated pet cemeteries offer a permanent, maintained resting place for your animal. These are a good option for those without suitable land, or who want a place they can return to for years to come. Contact your local council or vet to find out what’s available in your region.
Burial with their owner
Some councils in New Zealand allow a pet’s remains, or their ashes, to be interred with their owner at the time of burial. This must be arranged in advance and communicated to the council at the time of application. If this is something you want for yourself, it’s worth noting in your end-of-life wishes and discussing with your family and funeral director early.
As the NZ Law Commission has noted, there are currently no legislative restrictions on establishing a private pet cemetery on land, provided it complies with relevant district and regional plans, but practices and permissions vary, so always check locally.
Cremation
Pet cremation has grown significantly in New Zealand and is now widely available, even in smaller regions like Northland. Your vet will usually be your first point of contact and can refer you to a local provider, or arrange a collection on your behalf.
There are generally two types of cremation:
Individual (private) cremation.
Your pet is cremated alone, and their ashes are returned to you. This is the option to choose if you want to keep or scatter the ashes.
Communal cremation
Your pet is cremated with other animals. Ashes are not returned individually. This is a lower-cost option.
What to do with the ashes
Once you have your pet’s ashes, there are many ways to honour them:
- Keep them at home in a handcrafted urn or wooden box
- Scatter them in a meaningful place; a favourite walk, a beach, a garden
- Have them incorporated into memorial jewellery or keepsakes
- Plant them with a tree or in a biodegradable urn that grows into something living
- Some people choose to have their pet’s ashes placed with them when they are eventually buried or cremated
Memorialising your pet
A memorial doesn’t have to be elaborate. It might be as simple as a framed photo, a paw print keepsake, or a plant in the garden. It could be a small ceremony with the people, and other animals, who loved them.
Some ideas:
- Commission a portrait or piece of artwork
- Plant a native tree or flowering shrub in their memory
- Create a memory box with their collar, photos, and a few written words
- Hold a small gathering, light a candle, share stories
- Write something – a letter, a poem, a note – just for you
- Donate to an animal charity or rescue organisation in their name
Give yourself time. Grief for a pet is real, and it can take longer than others expect.
Support for pet loss
If you are finding the loss of your pet difficult, please know that is entirely normal. Pet bereavement is increasingly recognised by counsellors and grief support services. Your vet clinic may be able to point you toward support, or you can search for a grief counsellor or therapist in your area who has experience with pet loss.
The SPCA also provides resources for people going through pet loss. Visit spca.nz for more information.
Find local businesses
Your local vet can advise on next steps and connect you with providers in your area.
Know of a pet service in your local area we should include in our business directory? Get in touch at [email protected]
Truly Treasured — Full pet loss service including cremation, keepsakes, and collection.
Pet Heaven Tiles – creates personalised memorial tiles that help families honour and remember beloved pets or loved ones in a lasting, meaningful way.
Pet Farewells NZ — North Island cremation services with collection from home or vet.
Paw Bearers – Affordable and easy to assemble kitset pet coffins.
Reterniti – We turn your pet’s ashes into a Cremation Stone to ensure they stay close, can be held and are never forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases. Burying a pet on private land is common and generally permitted, but it’s worth checking with your local council if you have any questions about your specific property or zoning. If you’re renting, speak to your landlord first.
At least 60–90cm is recommended. This helps prevent disturbance from other animals and is better for the surrounding environment. Choose a spot away from water sources, vegetable gardens, and underground pipes or cables.
With individual (private) cremation, your pet is cremated alone and their ashes are returned to you. With communal cremation, your pet is cremated alongside other animals and ashes are not returned individually. Individual cremation costs more but is the right choice if having the ashes back matters to you.
Some councils in New Zealand allow a pet’s ashes to be interred with their owner at the time of burial, but it needs to be arranged in advance. If this is something you’d like, note it in your end-of-life wishes and discuss it with your family and funeral director early.
Contact your vet first. They can guide you on next steps, help with any required paperwork, and connect you with local burial or cremation services. There’s no need to rush, take the time you need.
Completely. Losing a pet is a real loss, and the grief that comes with it is real too. If you’re struggling, your vet clinic may be able to point you toward support, or you can look for a grief counsellor in your area with experience in pet bereavement.