Virginia law requires deceased pets to be properly tended to either through burial or cremation services. Losing a beloved pet is traumatic enough and choosing after-care is an extremely personal decision. We are here to answer questions and assist you in making the best choice for your family.
Home Burial
The Commonwealth of Virginia allows for home burials which should be performed in accordance with local/state laws and with the landlord's authorization if you are not the homeowner. Euthanized pet remains are poisonous and possibly deadly to other animals who may ingest it. To protect human, animal and environmental health, we recommend the following guidelines:
- Contact your county and follow any local ordinances.
- Pets that died of a contagious disease should be cremated.
- Buried pets must not come in contact with any surface bodies of water or groundwater including inland lakes, streams, or rivers. Pet graves must not be located within 200 feet of any stream or groundwater and 500 feet from a well used to supply drinking water.
- Ensure the body is covered with at least 2 feet of earth. If this is not attainable, use a casket/container or cover the grave with large rocks/wire to prevent digging by other roaming pets or wildlife.
- Place a layer of lime at the bottom of the grave and on top of the body.
- Compress the earth and level the soil.
- Take time for yourself and your family and include any rituals that may provide comfort and healing.
Cremation Services
Depending on your location, your pet is cremated at one of two local, trusted crematories. Both crematories used are dedicated to providing dignity in all aspects of the after-care process and a variety of memorial items are available to meet your family’s needs. Some families choose to have their pets cremated privately and their ashes returned to them while other families choose not to have ashes returned but rather elect for the crematory to respectfully spread their pet’s ashes for them. Cremation pricing is based on the pet’s weight and will be quoted individually based on the family’s after-care choices. Dr. Tuck will review after-care options with you to assist you in making the best decision for your family. Transportation options for the deceased to the crematory are available; however, extremely large or giant breed dogs may require coordination with the crematory for pick up at the home.
Home Burial
The Commonwealth of Virginia allows for home burials which should be performed in accordance with local/state laws and with the landlord's authorization if you are not the homeowner. Euthanized pet remains are poisonous and possibly deadly to other animals who may ingest it. To protect human, animal and environmental health, we recommend the following guidelines:
- Contact your county and follow any local ordinances.
- Pets that died of a contagious disease should be cremated.
- Buried pets must not come in contact with any surface bodies of water or groundwater including inland lakes, streams, or rivers. Pet graves must not be located within 200 feet of any stream or groundwater and 500 feet from a well used to supply drinking water.
- Ensure the body is covered with at least 2 feet of earth. If this is not attainable, use a casket/container or cover the grave with large rocks/wire to prevent digging by other roaming pets or wildlife.
- Place a layer of lime at the bottom of the grave and on top of the body.
- Compress the earth and level the soil.
- Take time for yourself and your family and include any rituals that may provide comfort and healing.
Cremation Services
Depending on your location, your pet is cremated at one of two local, trusted crematories. Both crematories used are dedicated to providing dignity in all aspects of the after-care process and a variety of memorial items are available to meet your family’s needs. Some families choose to have their pets cremated privately and their ashes returned to them while other families choose not to have ashes returned but rather elect for the crematory to respectfully spread their pet’s ashes for them. Cremation pricing is based on the pet’s weight and will be quoted individually based on the family’s after-care choices. Dr. Tuck will review after-care options with you to assist you in making the best decision for your family. Transportation options for the deceased to the crematory are available; however, extremely large or giant breed dogs may require coordination with the crematory for pick up at the home.

Tribute to a Best Friend - author unknown
Sunlight streams through the window pane
unto a spot on the floor….
then I remember,
it’s where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpets
and muted echoes sound….
then I remember,
It’s where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can’t be yours….
your golden voice is still.
But I’ll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I’ll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.
Sunlight streams through the window pane
unto a spot on the floor….
then I remember,
it’s where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpets
and muted echoes sound….
then I remember,
It’s where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can’t be yours….
your golden voice is still.
But I’ll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I’ll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.