Dog funeral etiquette question

[FireDancer]

I am sorry but to expect people to take a day off work for a DOG'S funeral is beyond acceptable. If she really wanted people to come she should be having this on a Saturday. Personally I wouldn't even send a card but I know many that do.

Actually, thinking about it more, to have a funeral for a Dog that requires INVITES is really beyond me too.

That is the whole point-a dog funeral is not an "event" to which you invite people.

Um, exactly. The whole notion is a bit odd.

 

[scrapquitler]

Unfortunately, I am not kidding.

I have to work on the day of the planned funeral and called my cousin to let her know. She seemed okay on the phone with the fact that I couldn't make it but I was talking to her sister today who mentioned that the cousin is very upset that the event isn't important enough for me to take off work, that I don't understand how much she loved Chestnut, etc. I know her dogs are like kids to her but... is it really rude to miss a dog funeral for work? I have never even heard of a dog funeral before, is this something that is done?

OMG. Too funny. I think you better take the day off of work. (Just kidding).
I've never heard of anyone inviting anyone but their kids to the dogs funeral.

Just for ha ha's I want you to ask your boss if it's okay per company policy to take the day of work for your cousin's dog's funeral. Maybe make a you tube video of it. Could be VERY entertaining.

Long story short, it is NOT rude to miss a dog funeral for work. But beware, when she gets a new dog, you probably won't be invited to the dog's christening or birthday party. I hope you can live with that.

 

[emer95]

There really are people who have full scale funerals for their pets. There is a pet funeral home near my town that many people use. You can have cremation, burials, and even viewings and wakes.

To each their own.

 

[scrapquitler]

There really are people who have full scale funerals for their pets. There is a pet funeral home near my town that many people use. You can have cremation, burials, and even viewings and wakes.

To each their own.

Well sure, I understand that, and I don't think that it is wierd, but would you actually get upset with your cousin for not taking a day off of work to come to your pet's funeral? That just seems ridiculous and over the top.

 

[aprilgail2]

Me too. Can you imagine calling in the reason to work? Or if your co-workers found out? Every place I have ever worked, this would not have been considered eligible for leave.

If my co workers ever found out someone took off for a dog funeral they would not be fit to work with for a LONG time...they would be ripping you apart about it. A guy took off 3 days because his dog died and was teased for a long time about that.

\ It sounds like your cousin has made her pets the "people" in her life, which I feel is just sad. .

There really are people who have full scale funerals for their pets. There is a pet funeral home near my town that many people use. You can have cremation, burials, and even viewings and wakes.

To each their own.

When one of my dogs gets put to sleep or died I send them to be cremated....they come back via UPS in a tin which gets put in the basement....don't know what the heck else to do with it...I am not going to have a funeral for them but I dont want them dumped in some town dump either--I have another neighbor that when a cat dies she just sticks it in the garbage pail and on trash day it goes out....I can't do that but I don't want the whole burying thing so we just spend the 150 bucks and have them cremated. I certainly don't take off work for it!

 

[emer95]

Oh gosh, heck no would I ever USE the Pet Funeral Home near me. I love, love love my kitty with all my heart, and on the very sad day that she leaves us (which I can barely think about) we will bury her in our backyard along with our other much loved pets that lay in peace there. I won't ask another person to be there besides my husband and two daughters, and we'd do it at a time that's convenient for US.

I think the OP is doing the perfect, exactly right thing. To expect a cousin to ask off of work for a pet funeral is beyond ridiculous, IMO.

I was just adding to the conversation about pet funerals and trying not to sound judgemental in my post. Personally I would NEVER spend money on a funeral for a pet, but I know other people feel differently.