When my own time comes, can I have their things (treats, ashes, collar) placed in my coffin with me?
Rules differ from place to place. Some crematoriums allow only a little food and a few photos in the coffin, and some cemeteries allow burial with your pet's ashes. It helps to ask ahead and to tell your family.
A real example
In 2011, a New York City police officer asked to be buried in the cemetery where his dog lay, and calls for official permission grew. In 2014, New York State announced that pet cemeteries may bury human ashes.
News, CNN.co.jp, 19 Jun 2014Read the original
What others said
We are still collecting other owners’ experiences for this question. This page updates daily.
What people do in different places
Be buried together with your pet's ashesNew York State, US: only if the cemetery agrees
Pet cemeteries may also bury human ashesNew York State, US: announced in 2014
A grave with a separate chamber for pet remainsTokyo, Japan: graves at one temple
A grave for the dog inside the owner's family plotTokyo, Japan: Hachiko at Aoyama Cemetery
Only a little food and a few photos or letters in the coffinSendai, Japan: city crematorium guidance
Keep metal and plastic items out of the coffinNagoya, Japan: city crematorium guidance
People and pets buried side by side in a separate cemetery sectionVirginia, US: proposed in a 2014 bill
Sources
Updated 25 Oct 2026. This page updates daily from owners’ posts.