Pet Memorial Garden

Using the Unitarian Society of Hartford Pet Memorial Garden

Ashes of a pet or a small pet (for example, hamster, mouse, goldfish, etc.) may be buried (interred) in the Unitarian Society of Hartford Pet Memorial Garden.

Many plants have been planted in the Pet Memorial Garden. Some plants may be visible in the Fall and Winter, but most plants will not be seen until late Spring. The plants have small white markers next to them (or they will have them until the little woodland creatures take them away to use in their games). When burying your pet’s ashes (or your small pet), please be careful to avoid stepping on the plants or digging close to the plants. Please use the empty mulch covered areas. If you should dig up a plant by mistake, please lovingly replant it and replace its stick.

When burying ashes or a small pet, please move the mulch aside and dig a hole in the soil four to six inches deep (not counting the depth of the mulch) for ashes or a hole in the soil eight or more inches deep (not counting the depth of the mulch) for a small pet. Put the ashes or small pet in the bottom of the hole, replace the soil and pack it down and then replace the mulch. Please do not leave any objects in the Pet Memorial Garden.

Remember to record your memories of your pet in the Pet Memorial Garden Memories Book. If you have lost a pet but do not have it buried in the Pet Memorial Garden, put may want to use a page in the book to record your memories of that pet. The pet does mot have to be interred in the Pet Memorial Garden.

The Pet Memorial Garden is a place for you to got to and remember your pet. We hope you will love and respect this sacred place and that being there will help you begin to feel less sad.

Record Your Memories of Your Special Pet

Pets are very special members of our families. When a pet dies it makes us very sad. This book will give you a chance to write and/or draw memories of your special pet.

Each plastic sleeve has two sheets of paper. To record your memories, remove one of the sheets. Write, or draw your memories. You may use markers, crayons, pen or pencil. You may add a photograph of your pet, or of you and your pet. To attach the photograph, please use small pieces of the double sided tape on the back of your photo. If you wish to use both sides of the page, just remove the second sheet from the plastic sleeve and set it aside. That way both sides of your page will show.

When you have finished your page, slip it back inside the plastic sleeve so it will be safe and clean.

Be sure to record your pet’s name, your name and any other information you feel is important.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 9/09/06)