To Mr. Leon Hill, Owner, and Ms. Marie Hill, Vice President of Final Gift Pet Memorial Center,
This letter addresses a deeply concerning policy regarding communal cremation remains at Final Gift Pet Memorial Center in Middleboro, Massachusetts. As a pet owner who recently had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize my cat, Hudson, I am writing to express my profound disappointment and confusion regarding the handling of communally cremated pets. Due to an error on my euthanasia paperwork, Hudson was part of a “general cremation” instead of an individual cremation, meaning her remains were cremated with other animals.
I was initially informed by a Final Gift employee that Hudson’s ashes would be scattered in the Rock Garden on your cemetery property. However, upon contacting your Funeral Director for clarification and to locate the Rock Garden, I was dismayed to learn this was misinformation. The Funeral Director stated that “the cremains of those pets communally cremated are interred very far back on our property and there is no public access to the exact location where they are buried.”
This revelation is profoundly upsetting and fundamentally misunderstands the purpose of a pet memorial center. Final Gift Pet Memorial Center positions itself as a sanctuary for bereaved pet owners, a place to respectfully lay our beloved companions to rest and to visit their final resting place. Your core service, your brand identity, revolves around providing this crucial space for remembrance and closure. Therefore, the policy of burying communal remains in an inaccessible location is not only illogical but directly contradicts the very essence of your business.
The Discrepancy Between Website Information and Actual Practice
Further investigation into Final Gift Pet Memorial Center’s services revealed a disturbing inconsistency. Your website’s FAQ section states regarding communal cremation: “Your dearly departed pet is cremated in a group setting with other pets. The remains will not be returned to you, but rather the ashes will be scattered across the fields of our peaceful family farm.” This description paints a picture of a serene final resting place.
However, the reality presented by your Funeral Director starkly contrasts with this idyllic image. The statement about scattering ashes across a “peaceful family farm” is brought into question. Does this “farm” even exist, or is it merely a misleading description? The discrepancy between the website’s representation and the inaccessible burial location raises serious concerns about transparency and ethical conduct, especially considering your stated Code of Ethics includes “Not misrepresent their services nor conduct their business in a fraudulent manner.”
Contradictions with the Mission Statement of Final Gift Pet Memorial Center
The Mission Statement of Final Gift Pet Memorial Center, as advertised on your website, further emphasizes this contradiction:
“Founded on a sincere commitment to offer the same compassionate memorial pet care services we desired for our beloved family pet, Felicia, Final Gift Pet Memorial Center provides the most reputable and sensitive pet aftercare services available to the New England community of grieving pet parents. Whether you are the honored owner of a cherished dog, cat, exotic pet, goat, or large companion animal such as a horse, we can accommodate your every need. From pet cremation to burial services, beautiful urns to lovely caskets, and supportive grieving tools, you can rest assured that your companion lies in the gentle hands of those who truly care. As a proud member of IAOPCC, we follow a strict, respectful code of ethics and always operate to the highest of industry standards.”
This mission statement pledges “compassionate memorial pet care services” and “the most sensitive services available.” It speaks of accommodating “every need” of grieving pet parents. Yet, denying access to the final resting place of communally cremated pets directly undermines these very promises. Is it truly “compassionate” or “sensitive” to inter pet ashes in a hidden, inaccessible area, effectively preventing grieving owners from visiting and finding solace? The inability to provide a location for remembrance certainly does not “accommodate every need” of pet owners seeking closure.
The Question of Accessibility and Respect for Communal Remains
The lack of a publicly accessible location for communal remains is particularly perplexing given that Final Gift Pet Memorial Center operates a pet cemetery. The rationale behind this policy remains unclear, even to your employees, which further fuels suspicion. The communal nature of the cremation should not negate the need for a respectful and visitable memorial space. While individual cremations allow for personalized urns and burial plots, those who opt for communal cremation still deserve a designated area within the cemetery grounds to connect with their pet’s memory.
The argument that accessibility might lead to disturbance or digging is weak. If such concerns were valid, public access to the entire cemetery should be restricted. The Rock Garden itself, where ashes are individually scattered but eventually become a communal space over time, demonstrates that controlled public access is manageable and does not inherently lead to disrespect.
The Emotional Impact on Grieving Pet Owners Seeking Closure
The response I received, stating, “Unfortunately the only option at this point is visiting the cemetery and knowing she is here with you. There is no public access to where we bury the cremains and we cannot scatter the cremains anywhere. I wish there was more we could do to help,” is deeply inadequate. Visiting a cemetery without a specific place to remember Hudson offers no comfort. Knowing she is “somewhere” on the property is not a substitute for a designated memorial spot.
This policy inflicts additional trauma on grieving pet owners already grappling with loss. The inability to have a place to visit, to reflect, and to connect with the memory of their pet intensifies the pain and complicates the grieving process. Whether pets are individually or communally cremated, they deserve the same fundamental respect: a final resting place that acknowledges their importance in our lives and offers a space for remembrance. Final Gift Pet Memorial Center’s business model is built upon providing this very service, yet it is being denied to those whose pets undergo communal cremation.
Call for Policy Change at Final Gift Pet Memorial Center
Therefore, I urge Final Gift Pet Memorial Center to reconsider and change its policy regarding communal remains. There is no justifiable reason why a designated, publicly accessible area within your 3-acre pet cemetery cannot be established for pets undergoing communal cremation. Providing such a space would align with your stated mission, ethical standards, and the fundamental needs of grieving pet owners. It is a matter of respect, compassion, and fulfilling the very purpose of a pet memorial center. This is a call for Final Gift Pet Memorial Center to truly live up to its promises and provide a final gift of accessible remembrance for all beloved pets, regardless of cremation type.
