Pet Ashes with Human Ashes: Options, Legalities, and Timeline Guide

For many of us, our pets are not just animals; they are central members of the family who walk beside us through life’s highest peaks and lowest valleys. As the bond between humans and their companions has deepened, so has the desire to remain together even after death. If you are considering keeping pet ashes with human ashes, you are part of a growing movement. As of 2025, over 97% of pet owners globally consider their pets to be family, and this "pet humanization" trend is fundamentally reshaping the death care industry.

Navigating the logistics of a joint memorial can be complex, involving a mix of cemetery bylaws, state or national legislation, and practical weight considerations. Whether you are pre-planning your own final expenses or honoring a loved one’s wish to be reunited with a faithful dog or cat, understanding the timeline and available options is the first step toward a peaceful resolution.

The History and Rise of Joint Memorials

The desire to be buried with a pet is far from a modern fad. Archaeological findings in Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany, reveal that humans and dogs were buried together as far back as 14,200 years ago. In the Victorian era, "secret" burials of pets in human graves were common, though rarely spoken of in polite society.

Today, the practice is becoming more formalized. With the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projecting that the US human cremation rate will reach 63.4% in 2025, the practicality of a joint memorial has increased. Unlike traditional full-body burials, cremated remains (cremains) offer the flexibility to be housed in companion urns, scattered together, or even transformed into shared pieces of jewelry.

Legal Nuances: Can You Be Buried Together?

One of the most common questions people ask is whether they can have a pet ashes coffin—essentially placing their pet’s remains inside their own casket for burial. The answer depends heavily on where you live.

The United Kingdom Landscape

In the UK, traditional human cemeteries are governed by strict regulations. Under current law, human cemeteries cannot legally accept pet ashes unless they hold a specific license from the Environment Agency. For most established churchyards, it remains illegal to place pet ashes in a human coffin for burial or cremation. However, "natural burial" grounds often have more flexible licenses that allow for "whole-family" interments.

The United States Landscape

In the US, the rules are a patchwork of state laws and individual cemetery bylaws.

• New York (2016): A landmark law allowed pet ashes to be interred in non-religious human cemeteries, provided the cemetery gives consent.
• Virginia (2014): Virginia allows for joint burials, but with a caveat: the pet must be in its own separate casket or container within a designated section of the cemetery.

Options for Combining Ashes

When looking to keep pet and human ashes together, you have several physical and symbolic options. You do not necessarily have to "mix" the ashes into a single pile; in fact, many experts advise against it for record-keeping purposes.

1. Companion Urns

A companion urn is a large vessel designed to hold the remains of two individuals. Most come with two separate internal chambers or bags. This allows the pet and human to stay together in one beautiful piece of art while keeping the remains distinct. For a human and a medium-sized dog, you should look for a vessel with a capacity of at least 250–300 cubic inches.

2. The "Pet Ashes Coffin" Approach

If you prefer a traditional burial, you can request that your pet's urn be placed at your feet or in the crook of your arm within your coffin. This is widely permitted in private, non-religious cemeteries in the US, provided it is disclosed to the funeral director beforehand.

3. Living Legacy Trees

A rising trend for 2026 is the use of eco-cemeteries that offer "Family Trees." In this scenario, the pet’s ashes are treated with a soil-balancing kit to neutralize their high pH levels and used as nutrients for a sapling. When the human companion passes away, their ashes are added to the same root system, allowing the two to literally grow together into a single living memorial.

The Memorial Timeline: What to Expect

When planning a joint memorial, timing is everything. Different methods of preservation have vastly different lead times.

If you are planning to have a joint ceremony, you may need to hold the pet’s ashes in a temporary container until the human's arrangements are finalized.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. The "Re-cremation" Myth: Some families believe they can place their pet’s ashes into a human's cremation chamber to be "re-cremated" together. This is a mistake. Ashes are inorganic bone fragments; they do not shrink further when reheated. This can actually cause volume issues in the cremator and is generally prohibited by safety regulations.
2. Relying Solely on the Will: Many people specify a joint burial in their will. However, if the chosen cemetery’s deed specifies "human remains only," the executor of the estate cannot legally fulfill that wish. Always pre-verify the cemetery's policy and, if possible, pre-purchase a plot in a "Whole-Family" cemetery.
3. Burying "Raw" Ashes: Simply pouring mixed ashes into a hole in the ground can be harmful to the environment. Concentrated ashes have high salt and pH levels that can be toxic to plants. If you are doing a backyard burial, use a soil-balancing agent.

Conclusion

The journey of life is made better by the animals who walk it with us. Choosing to keep pet ashes with human ashes is a profound way to acknowledge that love doesn't end with a final breath. Whether you choose a high-tech memorial diamond or a simple shared urn on a mantelpiece, the key is transparency with professionals and early planning.

If you are currently managing the loss of a pet or preparing for the future, you may find our guide on Pet Owner Death and Pet Care helpful for ensuring your living companions are looked after. For those planning a ceremony, consider reading about Including a Pet in a Funeral to see how living pets can participate in the goodbye.