What If You Want To Bring A Pet To A Funeral?
Pets truly do become members of the family. For that reason, many reasons may occur where you would want to bring your dog to a funeral. Perhaps you have a canine companion who was especially close to your loved one who passed away. Perhaps you need your dog for emotional support. Whatever the case may be, this is a delicate matter, so consider these tips if you want to bring your dog to a funeral or memorial service.
Consider The Closest Family Members
Bereavement is a difficult, painful time of life. Before you think about what you want to do at the funeral, first consider those who were closest to the deceased person. They will be suffering the most, and their needs and feelings take priority over nearly anything else at a funeral. Consider the following key considerations.
1. If you are close to the primary mourners, simply ask them if it would be alright. Preface it by letting them know that their feelings are your primary concern and that you will honor their wishes.
2. If you haven't called to express your condolences to the mourners, don't call them to ask for a favor or special permission to bring your dog to the funeral. That can lead to drama at a time that is already extremely painful.
3. If you are not close to the primary mourners, speak to someone close to the bereaved to get an idea of whether they think it would be okay to broach the subject with those who are grieving. You may even have the person discuss the topic with them, rather than going directly to the mourners when they have so much on their plate.
Take Your Dog for an Experimental Adventure
Unpredictable reactions from dogs need to be expected to some extent, but you need to know whether your dog will be able to handle crowds at a funeral. So, get ready for some possible chaos and bring your dog into crowded situations at least a couple of times before daring to bring them to a funeral. If your dog handled crowds well, that's a good sign.
Pack a Care Bag for Your Dog
Although you may wish to bring flowers with you, there is perhaps something even more important you also need to bring if you are taking your dog to the funeral. Pack a bag of things that will help you best care for your dog during the funeral. Things you need to bring include:
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Pack snacks to reward your dog for good behavior or to distract your pet if there is a problem.
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If your canine companion has a favorite blanket, bring it. You need them to sit silent and relaxed
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Bring a water bowl with a bottle of water.
Finally, as long as you are sensitive to the needs of mourners and take the time to be well-prepared, bringing your dog to a funeral memorial can be a good choice.
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