Timing: The burial must be completed within 24 hours of your pet's passing. (unless appropriate cold storage is available)
Property & Permission: Please ensure that you legally own the property chosen for the burial, or that you have explicit, written permission from the landowner before beginning.
Distance from Property Lines: The burial site must be located at least 25 feet away from any property lines.
Safe Digging & Roots: Before you pick up a shovel, it is vital to know where underground utility lines are hidden. Please call the Dig-Safe hotline at 811 before starting. Additionally, while burying a pet beneath a favorite tree is a beautiful sentiment, digging too close can severely damage the root system and harm the tree.
Finding the Right Depth & Soil Cover: The optimal depth to bury a pet is between 4 to 5 feet. Legally, the carcass must be covered by at least 36 inches (3 feet) of compacted soil. This allows the natural returning-to-earth process to happen safely while preventing wildlife from disturbing the site. For added peace of mind, placing a heavy stone slab over the compacted soil is highly recommended.
Water Supply Setbacks: To protect local drinking water, the burial site must be at least 150 feet away from any public or private water supplies or wells.
Choosing the Right Ground (Prohibited Areas): Select a spot that is level or slightly elevated to avoid pooling rainwater. Please note that burial is strictly prohibited directly in groundwater, surface water (such as streams, ponds, or wetlands), or directly on top of bedrock.
