Our 10 year old St Bernard died last night we would really like to bury her in the garden but are not too sure if we are allowed. Doed anyone have any information. Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your loss, the best people would be your local environmental health people, or maybe the water company.  I don't think it is allowed normally though.  We had our last dog cremated, and her ashes sit ontop of a display unit in our living room,  I always meant to get them buried, but when the time came, she was too much of a lover of the sun and being warm, so I keep her indoors with me.

You need to contact Defra. I believe pets are allowed to be buried still - but it depends on water courses in your area. I know you can still bury horses on your own land, but it does depend on location and also on the method of pts. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks, still not sure what to do. Our vets is not open until tuesday they are using another practice for emergencies until the so maybe will give them a ring. We would edeally like to bury her but am not sure that we could dig deep enough for a 16 stone St Bernard. We might opt for cremation and keep the ashes.

Pets are exempt from the DEFRA regulations that were introduced last year prohibiting burial of animals on farms.  Many local authorities will deal with the disposal for you, should you wish.

However difficult this is, it has got me thinking that as with writing our own will, we should give some thought to what will happen to our beloved dogs when they die and the services available to support this.  It is also a good idea to discuss with your vet the procedures they have in place for dealing with animals who have passed on.  Some have services that are more considerate and 'humane' than others.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

oops this as never crossed my mind weather its aloud or not. Ive always just burried my pets. Most being only small like cats and rabbits. Only burried the 1 dog in this garden.
When we were kids we had lots of pets. We had quite a large garden and we had a little part of it which was a pets grave yard.

Even though mine are still young I have already checked with the vet and we can have them cremated separately and keep their ashes.  Both will be scattered along their favourite walks when that time comes.

Very sorry for your loss and it is never easy.  But time does heal bit by bit. Remember the good times!

Claire

So sorry to hear your St Bernard has gone. The pet cremation service we used - Elysian Fields was very good. A little card and posy of dried flowers was attached to the box telling us when our dog was individually cremated, and we then buried his ashes in his favourite place. You could still have your St Bernard close to you in the garden without any unforseen distress. The relief practice could help you make arrangements and while theyre not your own vet, I trust they would be sympathetic and helpful.

I kept the ashes of both my girls, and in a way it still feels like they are with me. I am so sorry for your loss i know just how you feel.

Sorry about your loss. I think with a dog the size of a Saint, cremation is the practical answer. Have you seen this site ? which might be useful.

I had my boy cremated and the service was wonderful. he was only gone 5 days and he stays here on the top of my monitor so i can see him always.
We too used Elysian fields and i would recommend them to anyone.

I am sorry to hear about your St Bernard - I bury all my deceased dogs in the garden - have a special flower bed for them and plant trees/shrubs over them.

I was informed a few years ago that humans can be buried on private land as well providing the relevant authorities are notified (in case they are accidental dug up in later years)

THe only thing that worries me about burying pets in the garden is that you might not always live in the same house. We buried all our pets, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs e.t.c. in the garden but last year we had to move and now they are no longer with us. We had our cat pts this year and we had her individually cremated and her ashes returned in a wooden casket with a brass plaque bearing her name. We then put a framed picture of her on top of it, and at least this way she can always be with us.

SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. I HAVE 4 SAINTS BURRIED IN MY GARDEN. I COULDNT BEAR TO LET THEM GO ANY WHERE ELSE. YES IT IS HARD TO DIG . BUT WELL WORTH IT AS UOU CAN ALWAYS GO AND AND HAVE A FEW WORDS WHEN EVER YOU GO OUT. CALL ME DAFT BUT I LOVED THEM SO MUCH I WILL NEVER MOVE HOUSE AS I WOULD FEEL THAT I WAS LEAVING THEM BEHIND. SO FOR THIS REASON MOST POEPLE PREFER CREMATION SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE THEM WITH THEM. I HOPE THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL FIND A PLACE IN YOUR HEART FOR ANOTHER ST BERNARD. THERE ARE SO MANY ON RESCUE THAT NEED LOVING PERMANANT HOMES. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS SAD TIME.

Hi so sorry to hear of your loss, we lost one of our dogs last year, i wanted to bury her in our garden but decided to have her cremated, we got her ashes back and i said when we had a snow fall i would then bury her as she loved the snow, but as it snowed on xmas day i couldnt bear the thought of putting her ashes out, so her ashes are still in a cabinet until the time is right for us to finally say our goodbyes

Like wise sorry to hear your loss.  As they say "Time is a great healer" and whereever they are they are never forgotten.  Our girl is buried in the garden/paddock with a weeping willow planted on top, one day we hope to have a nice circular seat aroudn the trunk where we can sit and its great when passing by to just say hello not that we need reminding but makes us have a little memory of our times together if you know what I mean.

The trouble with having your dog buried in the garden is, if you move house at any time could you bare to leave them behind.
When my old Golden Retriever died, we knew we were going to put our house up for sale the following year, and I didnt want to leave her behind.
So we had her cremated, and we have still got her ashes it was over 4 years ago that she died, and I am only now ready to scatter them on her favorate walk.