In Béziers, animals will also have their funeral directors

Victoria Delval : “Il y a un marché.” – V.Delval

À partir du 4 mars, une entreprise biterroise va proposer des cérémonies mortuaires pour chiens, chats, et autres animaux de compagnie. Un concept venu des États-Unis et qui connaît un grand succès en France.

We knew about coats, treats, and even toothpaste for dogs and cats… We will now have to familiarize ourselves with pet funeral directors. The idea came from the United States, and Victoria Delval, who was establishing herself in the Béziers market, immediately saw the potential. & quot;I was a funeral assistant for three years in the P.-O. and regularly, when I received families, I was asked how to say goodbye to your dog, or your cat, she explains. The relationships between the pet and its master have changed profoundly. Today he is part of the family. Some people, especially the elderly, will be even more sensitive to their death than to that of a close relative."

"Pompes funèbres companions", which will open on March 4 at 58 avenue Georges Clemenceau, therefore offers complete support. The animal will not benefit from body conservation care, but can be groomed, if necessary. Relatives will be able to go to a funeral room to pay their respects to the remains, and will receive advice on how to manage their grief as best as possible. Burial in an animal cemetery is then possible, but most families choose a cremation, individual (300 euros) or collective (120 euros), after which they can collect the ashes in an urn. Until now the closest crematoriums were those of Saint-Georges d'Orques (independent structure) and especially of Nîmes (Esthima group). But from 2025, everything will change: "The town hall pushed for the opening of a new place in Béziers, which will be able to accommodate 10 000 cremations in the first year, welcomes Victoria Delval. This is proof that there is a market, and that' 39;it is developing."

My pet dies, what should I do ?

Throwing the remains of an animal into a trash can, sewer or any other place is prohibited and may be punishable by a fine of €3,750.

The legislation on the burial of an animal in its garden or private land is more ambiguous.  If the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code mentions the obligation to call on a rendering company as soon as the animal weighs more than 40 kilos, nothing   #39;is mentioned for those weighing less than 40 kilos.

Of the 80 million pets living in France, 32 million are fish, 14 million cats, and 12 million dogs (survey carried out at the end of 2020).< /p>

Today, animal burials are partially managed by veterinarians, who fill out the administrative papers with the owners, keep the remains in cold rooms, and wait for the crematorium's refrigerated truck to pass. "We can take care of this basic service, but add the dignity of a real funeral ceremony with flowers, funeral plaques, etc. Everything that is done for human funerals is also possible for animals, concludes the initiator of Companion Funeral Services. quot;. The demand, in any case, is already there: even before the opening of her premises, Victoria Delval already receives several requests for information per day.