Pet caskets can be very expensive, and run into the thousands of dollars when purchased. Due to this fact, making your own pet casket is an economical choice. Consider it a labor of love for the companion who has been by your side and devoted their lives to love and protect you.

There are several sites on the Internet where you can find free pet coffin plans. These instructions come with a list of supplies you will need in order to build your own pet casket. After deciding what type of pet casket you want to build, download the instructions and supply list, take them to your local lumberyard and they will help you with your selection.

You could decorate the pet casket with a wood burning tool, or if you are experienced, perhaps a chisel. Using these tools, inscribe the pets name, birth and passing date. Decorate the pet casket with doggie bones, or mice for a cat. Download a template of your pet, and using the template, create a portrait on the pet coffin.

Other suggestions that you may consider, instead of using wood to make your own pet casket, are sheets of Styrofoam, or concrete board. Concrete board is very durable, and can be cut easily. If you prefer, you may also consider making your own pet casket out of a biodegradable substance such as cardboard, bamboo, untreated wood, or formaldehyde free plywood.

To line the inside of the pet casket, you could use your pet’s favorite blanket, an old sheet, towels, or comforter. Other linings you could choose from could be cotton batting, or even dried leaves and fresh flowers.

When you are making your own pet casket, the decisions are up to you. You and your family are the only people who know what your pet would like. You and your family also are the only ones who know which toys and objects your pet liked to play with. These favorites could also be included in the pet casket. Making your own pet casket and having a service, whether it be in the backyard, or a special family place, will help with closure on the loss of your pet.

Pet Caskets on Amazon:

	Urn - Long Rectangular Shape Pet Urn - Apex Casket - H-UP27

	Double Extra Large Serenity Series MDF Pet Casket

	MDF Birch Veneer Medium Remembrance Series Pet Casket

Post from: Pet caskets, urns and memorial help. Visit us to find all the information you need to get through the death of your pet.

Avoiding Mistakes

• Pet urns should be tamper-resistant. Don’t purchase a pet urn that can be easily opened, especially if you will be placing it outdoors.
• Make sure that the material used is good quality and will stand the test of time. Stone, iron, or hardwoods are best.
• Don’t overpay. Some pet memorial websites offer urns that cost up to $4,500. Although your pet is priceless, you don’t need to spend an exorbitant sum to respectfully memorialize him or her. Affordable options exist.

Choosing a Pet Urn

• When choosing a pet urn, one important aspect is style. You’ll want to decide on a pet urn that will reflect your pet’s personality and meaning in your life.
• Ask yourself: What is the thing I will remember most? Do I want something formal? Playful? Heartwarming?
• Deciding on material and style is governed in part by where you plan to place the urn. Will you place the pet urn indoors? Outdoors? Prominently? Discreetly?

Purchasing a Pet Urn

• What is the appropriate time to purchase a pet urn? There’s no one right answer. Your feelings will best guide you. As your pet ages, you can begin to think about making a purchase in advance, or you can wait until the time has come.
• What is the cost of purchasing a pet urn? Although there are manufacturers who offer very expensive urns, there are affordable options that allow you to honor your pet without breaking the bank. Some affordable choices are: eBay – by far the best selection and price – keychain urns for under $10, large pet alder, poplar, and oak urns for around $20.

Displaying a Pet Urn

• It’s not necessary to display your pet urn at all. You may simply want to keep it safely stored to ensure the security of your pet’s ashes.
• Indoors – If you choose to display the urn inside, choose a place that has a special meaning to you...on a table at the foot of your bed, near the fireplace hearth, or on a table where your pet’s bed was placed.
• Outdoors – If you prefer to keep your pet urn outdoors, the same basic principle applies…choose a place that has meaning. Under a favorite tree, on the deck, or perhaps on the front or back porch.

By following these tips, you will be assured that your beloved friend will be remembered and protected forever.

Pet Urns on Amazon:

	Egyptian Aanubis *Bronze0* Canopic Jar Pet Dog Burial Urn Sale Price: $36.95

	Peaceful Pet Revolving Memorial Box Mahogany List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $34.99

	The Bendemeer Cremation Urn, A Black Grain Polished Marble Urn, 3" Sale Price: $18.94

Post from: Pet caskets, urns and memorial help. Visit us to find all the information you need to get through the death of your pet.

With these factors in mind, and preparing in advance, you are more likely to make the best decisions, both emotionally and financially, for all concerned. Don’t wait until the last minute, when emotions are high, to decide such matters as, where to find a pet casket, where to bury your pet, and what you can afford.

Depending on the size of your pet, will determine the size of pet casket you will need. Don’t make the mistake, when buying a pet casket online, of ordering one that your pet will not fit in. Likewise, you do not want to pay for one that is too large. Make sure you are fully aware of the size of the casket's length, width, and depth.

If you are planning on using a pet cemetery, it is important to talk to the director about your plans and your budget. Most pet cemeteries will offer a variety of plans, which include the pet casket, a service, and a headstone. The pet cemetery may also offer the option of a payment plan. And although you want the best for your beloved pet, don’t be taken in by the pressures of the sales pitch, and end up paying more than you can afford.

Ask the director about their acceptance of you pre-purchasing a pet casket from another source, or perhaps their acceptance in using a casket that you yourself made. This is a very important question, as most pet cemeteries require the pet casket to be made of a certain material.

Pet caskets now come biodegradable. You can find several choices online, at very reasonable prices. These average from $40.00 to several hundred dollars, depending on the size of your pet. These caskets are made of a material that will eventually break down, and become part of the natural surroundings. If this is your choice, but you want a marker, perhaps you could consider planting a tree in memory of your pet, close to where they are buried.

Pet caskets come in a variety of materials, from wood to steel. Wooden caskets can run from $150 into the thousands of dollars. This again will depend on the size of your pet, and the type of wood you choose. Steel caskets are also in the thousands of dollars but are guaranteed to last forever. If you do choose to purchase a pet casket online, make sure you take the cost of shipping into consideration.

It is important to remember, there may be restrictions, even if you choose to bury your pet in your own backyard. It is wise to check with your city or town offices to find out what those restrictions are, if any.

Pet Caskets on Amazon:

	Urn - Long Rectangular Shape Pet Urn - Apex Casket - H-UP27

	Double Extra Large Serenity Series MDF Pet Casket

	MDF Birch Veneer Medium Remembrance Series Pet Casket

Post from: Pet caskets, urns and memorial help. Visit us to find all the information you need to get through the death of your pet.

Not a happy topic, but all us who live with a beloved pet must realize that our pet has a shorter life span than ours. This means we and/or our families will have to deal with the illness and death of our pet or with the sudden departure of our friend due to an accident or acute illness.

Some more common questions which come to mind are:

How do I know when euthenasia is the kindest choice,
How do I prepare our children for the pet's death,
How do I want to handle the disposition of my pet's body,
And, where can I or my family go for help with our grief.

When do I... How do I know?

I once read of a veterinarian who told an owner, "Your dog is going downhill. Do you want to wait until he reaches the bottom?" Vets are often reluctant to tell an owner when it is time to let the pet go. They understand that it is a personal decision, one that we, the owners, have to be ready for. But as loving owners we have a responsibility to our animal friends not to let them suffer unneccessarily.

Preparing the children.

Be honest with them. Name the ailment or cause of death. They may have already seen that your pet is not the same, is more quiet, walking slower. Explain to them that when a pet is suffering and there is nothing which can be done to relieve that suffering, owners must do the most difficult, but kindest act of their ownership. Don't incite panic, but explain this is a part of the life cycle.

Be prepared for tears - it's natural. You are losing a dearly loved family member. Allow them, and yourself, to grieve. Help your children decide how they will remember their pet, perhaps in photos, or by planting a tree. If you are going to inter the remains, have a ceremony at the cemetery sharing your happiest memories of your pet's life with each other.

What to do with your pet's body?

Today we have pet cemeteries where caskets and urns can be interred. You can also place a memorial stone at the grave site or keep the urn in a place of honor at home. Standard and biodegradable models are available. Alternatively you can cremate and scatter the ashes over water using eco-friendly urns which will harmlessly dissolve in salt or fresh water, allowing the remains of your pet to gently float back to nature. Another option to remember your pet by is to have part of the ashes placed into a piece of jewelry, usually a pendant. Most are made out of sterling silver and offered in various designs.

While many feel that grief over the death of a pet is unwarranted, we who have loved them know better. There are organizations who offer help getting through this grief. The aspca.org is one of them and armchairadvice.co.uk also offers practical and sympathetic help. You can also ask your vet about organizations which offer support.

Pet Caskets on Amazon:

	Urn - Long Rectangular Shape Pet Urn - Apex Casket - H-UP27

	Double Extra Large Serenity Series MDF Pet Casket

	MDF Birch Veneer Medium Remembrance Series Pet Casket

Post from: Pet caskets, urns and memorial help. Visit us to find all the information you need to get through the death of your pet.