Owners are free to do whatever they want with their pet's body and ashes.
Since there are no legal restrictions, I think it's truly a free choice. Every person is different. There are as many ways of thinking as there are people, and many people will try to force their way of thinking on others, thinking it's for the better. This can often cause us to feel anxious and uneasy. It's natural to have different ways of thinking, and society is essentially about accepting and coexisting with different ways of thinking. So, you can bury your pet's remains in the garden, keep them in an urn at home, make them into jewelry for memorial services, prepare a grave, or scatter their ashes.
Whether it's a pet or a human, our bodies are borrowed from the Earth. There's a saying that we're "earthenware vessels" given to us by the earth, and they're borrowed and given to us for a certain period of time. In Buddhism, the soul (mind and consciousness) is subject to reincarnation, so these are ours forever, but the body can be considered borrowed. Since bones are a part of the body, they should eventually be returned.
In Buddhism, there are periods such as 49 days or 100 days, but these are completely irrelevant. Over the enormous span of the Earth's 4.6 billion years, any discrepancy makes little difference. So, if you don't want to let go of a part of your pet's body, I think it's fine to keep it until you pass away in the future. Your own body will eventually be returned to the earth, so when that time comes, why not return it together with your pet? That way, you can be with your pet forever, even after you pass away.
In Buddhism, the soul and bones are considered separate. Some say that a pet cannot attain enlightenment unless sutras are recited, but since the body and soul automatically separate upon death, all living things will attain enlightenment under all circumstances. Please understand that your pet's body, which was entrusted to you during life, will remain in your care even after death. You will surely find closure. When the day comes when you think, "Maybe it's about time?", you can just think about it then.
Your pet never forced their opinions on you like a human would. They were just a beloved member of the family who loved you for who you were. You had a strong bond and understood each other's feelings, so even after you've passed away, they will surely recognize and accept your way of thinking. Holding a funeral in your own way, a way that connects you emotionally with your pet's feelings without any formality, will be the best way to honor their loved one. |
