Can a pet's urn be blessed?

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Our very beloved cat passed away, it would give us a lot of peace to have his remains blessed, but we don’t know if this is allowed. I ask this question on “Ask an Apologist” but I read not all questions are answered, I hope me posting it again here doesn’t go against the forum’s rules
 
I believe so. Our priest talks about when he first came from Vietnam, he was asked to officiate a dog funeral at a pet cemetery. By officiate I mean, say a few words and I imagine offer some form of blessing to either the attendees or maybe the animal. I know the church blesses live animals and objects like crosses, so why not a dead animal?

Anyway he tells the story fondly as it was quite the culture shock for him to see this dog funeral as in Vietnam in his poverty the dead dog was their next meal.

Sorry for you loss.
 
What do you hope to accomplish through this blessing?

…This sounds very strange to me.

Peace
Michael
 
Thank you so much, Jon, we will go to church this Friday; since I didn’t know if it was allowed I prefered to ask first, it wouldn’t be nice to take the urn, ask and receive a no for an answer

RcWitness; he was a very loved family member, he gave us much happiness and we are grateful, and of course we are grieving. With this blessing we expect to get some peace and closure for us, and to say goodbye to him with the respect and love he deserves
 
The blessing really would be pointless: Animals do not have eternal souls like humans do, only mortal souls. So when they die, they cease to exist. No heaven, purgatory, or hell.
 
Since it’s important for us, I don’t think it would be pointless, and, as Jon said before, the Church blesses live animals and objects like crosses. I know the Church’s teachings about the subject, I just wanted to know if it’s allowed
 
Montse76 said:
Since it’s important for us, I don’t think it would be pointless, and, as Jon said before, the Church blesses live animals and objects like crosses. I know the Church’s teachings about the subject, I just wanted to know if it’s allowed
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I would say it is fine, as long as you are doing it with the intent of the urn and the ashes receiving a blessing, not the intent of it benefiting the animal.
 
Montse76 said:
Thank you so much, Jon, we will go to church this Friday; since I didn’t know if it was allowed I prefered to ask first, it wouldn’t be nice to take the urn, ask and receive a no for an answer

RcWitness; he was a very loved family member, he gave us much happiness and we are grateful, and of course we are grieving. With this blessing we expect to get some peace and closure for us, and to say goodbye to him with the respect and love he deserves
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I would call your parish and set something up in advance so that they can make time for you.

Even just asking the priest if he can meet you for 10 mins for the blessing after daily mass.
 
bben15 said:
The blessing really would be pointless: Animals do not have eternal souls like humans do, only mortal souls. So when they die, they cease to exist. No heaven, purgatory, or hell.
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We really don’t know that.

Some theologians say pets do not have an afterlife. Some say it’s possible. We don’t know. And as a cat owner myself, I certainly hope to see my little guy up there with me. I think one won’t feel that way without having had a beloved pet yourself.

catholiccourier.com/commentary/other-columnists/will-beloved-pets-go-to-heaven-too/

I’m sorry for the original poster’s loss. I had my cat since he was a newborn myself. An understanding priest might be willing. If the first one you go to says no, go to another parish till you find one who agrees. There’s no rule prohibiting it and it’s up to the priest’s willingness. My nephew even had a cross tattoo on his arm blessed because a priest was willing, though others might not have been.
 
I will do that, Jon, thank you!

PazzoGrande, thank you for that link, I also hope to see him again in heaven. And you are correct about it being up to the priest’s willingness, I guess I’ll know about this when I first go and ask for time
 
I have become very close to a couple dogs I’ve owned. i love the animal world and dogs in particular. I held two in my arms when they were put to sleep. I cried and missed them very much.

I do not believe they have an after life!!! They do not recieve a resurrection. Jesus did not come down to earth as a dog to bring everlasting life for all dogs who believe in Him.

Thank God for the gift of the pet while they were with us. Do not make an idol out of them or elevate them to the level of human. We felt our worth when Jesus was incarnate in the flesh of Mary.

Peace
Michael
 
I believe that animals will be resurrected at the end of time because it says in Revelation that plants will be and because God loves all His creations. I don’t believe animals are as important as people just because I believe this.
 
I believe they are different from humans of course, but they are part of the creation, God loves them, they are without sin, completely innocent, they give us happiness, confort, company, and the emotions that bond us with them are really pure. Therefore I don’t believe they have less value for God, they just have a different value. Bonding and loving them is not idolizing them, loving is not idolizing. Church blesses live animals, Church blesses objects of value, Church blesses a lot of things that are important to us, so I will do this.

I did not mean to start a discussion about animal’s value or souls, just wanted to know if there’s some rule against what I want to do, and clearly there’s not
 
rcwitness said:
I have become very close to a couple dogs I’ve owned. i love the animal world and dogs in particular. I held two in my arms when they were put to sleep. I cried and missed them very much.

I do not believe they have an after life!!! They do not recieve a resurrection. Jesus did not come down to earth as a dog to bring everlasting life for all dogs who believe in Him.

Thank God for the gift of the pet while they were with us. Do not make an idol out of them or elevate them to the level of human. We felt our worth when Jesus was incarnate in the flesh of Mary.

Peace
Michael
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I understand and agree with your position. The Catechism is not explicit though in this area. This is also not applicable to the posters question or his current grieving.

There is a pastoral approach here that the OP should be able to work out with his priest.
 
Thank you all, I will let you know how it goes

Thank you, Jon:heart:
 
Montse76 said:
I did not mean to start a discussion about animal’s value or souls, just wanted to know if there’s some rule against what I want to do, and clearly there’s not
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Agreed. I can see you’re a new user here. Well, conversations on this forum frequently start off nicely then devolve into bickering.

At no time was there any implication that you sought to turn your pet into an idol, yet you got accused of it anyway and then have to spend a lot of time clarifying something that frankly should have been understood by others from the start. I’ve had fingers pointed at me often when people out words in my mouth too, or the meaning of things I say get twisted into something I did not, and people assail my logic by reading their own interpretations into what I said, distorting my position and painting me to be an idiot or a heretic or whatever. Many are dismissive and sanctimonious to me, even though ironically I have a theology degree and am in a Vatican Order. Pretty sure I’m more qualified than them, yet again, bickering and condescension is frequently found here. A little bit of listening and people skills go a long way, but at least it’s not as bad as the bickering people do on YouTube.

Gets super irritating. Sorry in advance for how other users will be on this forum. It can and will try your patience. Bickering and being talked down to are what you don’t need right now as a grieving pet owner.
 
Montse76 said:
I believe they are different from humans of course, but they are part of the creation, God loves them, they are without sin, completely innocent, they give us happiness, confort, company, and the emotions that bond us with them are really pure. Therefore I don’t believe they have less value for God, they just have a different value. Bonding and loving them is not idolizing them, loving is not idolizing. Church blesses live animals, Church blesses objects of value, Church blesses a lot of things that are important to us, so I will do this.

I did not mean to start a discussion about animal’s value or souls, just wanted to know if there’s some rule against what I want to do, and clearly there’s not
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Sorry to offend. I am understanding, really. I appreciate animals and our bond with them. It just should be put in perspective, thats all im encouraging. I admire you going to the Church for guidance and a source for your closure. If you think I am not coming from the heart of the Church, i do not hold it against you…😉

The Church will bless an animal for its health and well being, right? It is an appeal to the father through the Holy Order of the Priesthood! It is right to give thanks for God’s gifts.

Animals are without sin because they were not given the Law!!! They were not found worthy of the Law of God. Please consider this, not for the disrespect for these creatures, but for the appreciation for the creator who gave them for our enjoyment.

May the Lord give you peace and comfort during your sadness over your pet;)
Michael
 
PazzoGrande, thank you so much for your empathy; grieving for a pet is a very lonely road, and when it comes to this subject I’m sadly used to hurtful comments, that’s why I don’t share it with just anyone. That’s why I tried to post a very concrete question, but I guess discussion is inevitable

Michael, you say “They were not found worthy of the Law of God” I say “since there’s no evil in them, they didn’t need the Law of God”, you say " the creator who gave them for our enjoyment" and I agree partially, I don’t see them as possesions, I see them as valuable company, and yes, I do enjoy their company, and I thank God for it. No need to apologize, and thank you for your wishes of peace and confort, I sure need them right now
 
I agree with Jon. I’m sorry for your loss. I know how much it hursts to lose a loved pet. I have had a Franciscan Priest give a blessing to my sick pet. When she passed, he blessed the urn for me. As Franciscans say: All God’s creatures, great & small are God’s creation. That is why we bless the animals on the Feast of St. Francis.
 
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