Pet funeral care in Colombia: honoring animal companions with dignity

In Colombia, the same reverence is shown for human and animal burials alike. Personalized headstones for beloved pets like Coqui or Pelusita sit beside cemeteries for dogs, hamsters, or even chickens. For pet aftercare, the industry thrives in a country that treats every family member with care and dignity.

As Darwin, his parents, and his brothers stand with sorrow before the officers who laid the cardboard coffin of Dominic, the French bulldog Sombra moves along the rows of graves at the Funeravet pet cemetery on the fringes of La Calera near Bogota.

Dominic died a few days earlier after a seizure at the age of three. Despite his young age, Darwin has become a steady presence for Cárdenas, saying, “He was a good dog and everyone deserves a funeral worthy of remembering.”

Darwin chose to lay him to rest there, and soon a tasteful tombstone will be erected for the canine “son,” a marker alongside windmills, worn toys, and other memorials for dogs, cats, and other animals. The company handles 28 to 35 ceremonies daily, though most families opt for mass cremation, which remains the most affordable option.

Specialized company since 2001

Funeravet began in 2001 after recognizing the need for proper pet management in clinics. Francisco Moreno, a veterinarian and the company’s marketing coordinator, explains that there was no clear provision when a dog or cat passes away. The law offered little guidance, so families either took the pet to a clinic for disposal, buried it at home, or discarded it in other ways.

The result was a gap that left many seeking compassionate, professional care for their animal companions during end-of-life moments.

Wake up for dogs in Colombia efe

In a similar vein, Darwin’s father, Edgar, recalls the first family dog who had fallen into the river, a moment still vivid with sorrow. He notes that in the past there was little guidance, and families often faced hard choices when a beloved pet died.

“Before, you did what you saw your parents do,” he admits. The burden lingered, but after seeing the cardboard coffin and the respectful ceremony, the family finally felt a sense of calm.

Wake up for animals

At Capillas La Fe, one of Bogota’s leading funeral homes for pets, two funerals run side by side in the main building. In a smaller annex, the bodies of Tony and Martina rest in coffins while family members come and go, sharing memories and paying respects. Grandparents, uncles, and friends gather, honoring a long companionship with the pets.

A tribute to Martina, who had been part of the family for 13 years and died after a battle with cancer, was laid out with care. “It’s hard because memories come flooding back,” says César Pachón, who attended the farewell. Martina was dressed with a touch of whimsy, a bicycle motif marking her life’s journeys. The moment is tender, steeped in shared stories.

The family returns after some time; as Martina’s coffin is opened, tears break through the stoicism. “They did it right,” César’s mother consoles, offering comfort to those present. The service example, whether a formal funeral like Martina’s or a simpler cremation, reflects the breadth of offerings at the facility, which handles about 1,300 animal rites each month. “Today we provide the same level of care for pets as we do for people,” notes Johana Estrada, the operations manager, adding that hamsters, guinea pigs, and even chickens are part of the portfolio.

Estrada emphasizes that roughly seven in ten Colombian families treat a pet as a child. This social shift creates a demand for honorable burials under the same humane conditions reserved for humans. While César offers his own perspective on the idea of “humanizing an animal,” he concedes that after years of love and companionship, the animal deserves a worthy farewell, a final moment of joy at the peak of good times shared together.

The conversation lingers, the ceremony evolves, and the care continues for families seeking solace in loss and recognition of the bond with their animal companions.

Contact details for the environmental department have been removed to maintain privacy and focus on the service narrative.