Modern families are barely complete without a pet. Sixty-seven percent of Americans now own one, with dogs, cats, and fish being the most popular choices. Animals help us to relax; they entertain us, and they are always there for us when things get tough. But since they have shorter lives than humans, there comes a time when we have to say goodbye. Losing a pet can be a painful experience, but the blooming global industry in pet funerals helps people to cope.

In the past, owners would bury their pets in their gardens, or at least close to their homes. But today, many people live in apartments, so this is not an option. Pet funeral companies can arrange to bury a pet in a special cemetery, or even to cremate the animal as we sometimes do with humans. The ashes of the animal can be scattered in a beautiful place or turned into jewelry. Many owners choose the latter, as a ring or necklace reminds them every day of their beloved pet.

現代家庭如果沒有飼養寵物，就不臻圓滿。67%的美國人都有養寵物，最受歡迎的選擇是狗、貓和魚。動物能幫助我們放鬆、娛樂我們，陪著我們度過難關。但由於寵物的壽命比人類短，我們總是會面臨需要道別的時候。失去寵物可說是椎心之痛，不過全球蓬勃發展的寵物殯葬業，則有助大家處理寵物身後事。

以往的飼主會將寵物埋葬於自家花園，或至少葬於離家近的地方。但現今許多人均居住於公寓，因此此方法不可行。寵物殯葬公司可安排將寵物葬於特殊的墓園，或者比照人類往生的方式來火化動物。而動物的骨灰，可灑於優美景點或做成珠寶。許多飼主選擇後者，因為這樣的戒指或項鍊，能提醒飼主每天想起自己心愛的寵物。