Moving a Grave?

[TerriW]

My Scooter died while I was out of state last week, and my daughter buried him wrapped in a towel and a plastic bag, deep in the soil just behind our back fence (down 2-3 ft maybe) with wiring on top of him.....put a "Beloved Pet" headstone on the grave. Nothing has disturbed the grave, but I am considering moving next summer and I am wondering if there is a reasonable way to take him with me to my next home to re-bury. My Newfs were cremated so that's not a problem, but the thought of leaving my little Scooter in the woods by himself forever is tearing me up.

Any thoughts?

 

[Angela]

Can he be cremated now?

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Can he be cremated now?

My thoughts too.

I bet he will be decomposed for sure by the time of the move.

 

[TerriW]

I didn't think of that....I wish she had buried him in a box or something..not necessarily air tight, but could be moved. Hate the thought of the next owners of this house digging there....

 

[lmfoltyn]

I would have his body removed and cremated also...that way he can go wherever you go.

 

[TerriW]

...I don't think I can go through that.....

 

[nowhavethreebears]

My only suggestion would be to have him cremated now. If you wait til time to move I think it will be too late. I know the thought of it is hard, but if you leave him will you regret it always? If you have him cremated now you can keep the ashes and bury them at the new place.

 

[wrknnwf]

I would call the crematorium and ask them how to proceed. They may be able to provide a box or casket that he could be moved to right out of the grave. Otherwise, it may be an unpleasant experience for you.

 

[R Taft]

Ask a friend, I have done this for someone in the past, I would do this for a friend again, even though very unpleasant . I am sure others would to

 

[mrs big dogs]

I am sorry for your loss, I too would either ask some one to get scooter and have him cremated,I would do if before the weather gets cold

 

[TerriW]

Thank you everyone....I am devastated to the point of being inconsolable.....somehow Scooter became my "heart dog" especially as Ben (as some of you know) was a non-affectionate Newf. I have to remind myself Scooter only died last week so the pain is still so raw, but it happened so suddenly and I wasn't here for him... He always looked so sad when my suitcase came out and my last words to him were "Don't worry - mama always comes back." Only this time I didn't come back in time.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

This is just heartbreaking. Besides the grief you have the guilt of feeling you weren't there for him. You had no control over this, Terri. I'd do what others suggest and ask someone to pull him up for you now and have him cremated, before the ground freezes. We had a wonderful neighbour who brought his back hoe over and dug Gracie's grave for me. I never could have done it myself. But whatever you choose to do, you loved him and he knew it.:hugs:

 

[jane]

I'm so sorry Terri. I too would cremate him now.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I'm so so sorry Terri.

I have another idea for you. If you think that having him cremated now would be too traumatic for you, then what about this:

Plant a tree or rose bush or something special on top of his grave now. He will nurture it for you. Then when you move you can take it (and a part of Scooter) with you.

 

[TerriW]

That's a thought, Brandie. If I planted two (bushes or trees) and took one with me and left the other, maybe new owners of my house wouldn't disturb them. He IS in the woods, not in the yard, but some people "claim" some of the woods a little at a time to enlarge their yards.

I am just so inconsolable right now.....going thru a divorce too, and then lost Ben the next month, and Scooter last week. Have to work through some grief for sure.

 

[Angela]

Just want to send you some:grouphug::grouphug: and let you know we are all here for you Terri.

 

[Lori]

I'm so sorry, it's so hard. Maybe call a pet cemetery. They might be able to come out to get him or one of the services that pick up pets when they pass at home.

 

[Jeannie]

I've been following this and now I want to respond with my thoughts when I first read this.

I believe that someday we will be reunited with our loved ones. I believe that is our 4 legged friends also. Many people think there will be no animals in heaven. I believe that there will be. The bible does not mention dogs specifically but it does say talks of animals. If you read Isaiah 11:6-8 you will see that animals will be in heaven.

So here is what I have to say: Our pets, including your Scooter, may be buried but their spirits are not dead and buried. Just like all our loved ones who have passed on, our pets will be there waiting to welcome us too.

If I were you, I'd plant that tree, or if possible clear the area yourself, add a tree over the grave and put a bench beside it. Something so the next owners will not want to disturb the area. Carry Scooter with you in your heart knowing that some day you will be reunited.

My prayers are with you.

 

[mcme]

That's a beautiful thought, Jeannie. Terri, I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time. I'm praying for you. Mary

 

[lmfoltyn]

Sending big hugs...my son & daughter in law lost their beautiful German Shepherd when they were stationed in Germany. He was their baby as they don't have children. They buried him with his favorite blanket and toys...they planted flowers and added a cross on his grave. She was devastated at leaving her boy in Germany but felt once he was buried that is where she wanted him to stay. I hope you can find the solution that works best for you...so hard no matter what you do...they leave such an open space in our hearts...