Written by Chris Miller
Animals play various roles in our lives. Some consider them part of the family, while others appreciate the reminder of their daily walks.
From service dogs and emotional support animals to the pets that greet us at the door, animals bring joy, comfort, and companionship to our lives. It stands to reason, then, that these relationships formed throughout our lives will continue, or at least be commemorated, after death.
of toronto star recently reported on efforts to exhume and relocate more than 600 animals from Oakville, Ontario. pet grave. As this story highlights, and as many others have noted, burying, embalming, or cremating animals is by no means a new practice. These funerals provide a way to honor our pets and all they mean to us.
But what if the owner dies first? After all, animals have become frequently mentioned in the obituaries of their human companions.
How are obituaries changing?
Writing an obituary is one of the many things people do when a loved one dies. Funerals used to be reserved for society's elite, but the democratization of obituaries means more people are being commemorated in this way.
We write obituaries for a variety of purposes. Some of these are purely practical. Announcing that someone has passed away and inviting family and friends to the funeral.
But more importantly, obituaries give bereaved families an opportunity to tell the story of their loved one. who were they? What did they enjoy? What were their values?
As part of our research in the “Irreligion in a Complex Future” project, our team analyzed Canadian obituaries over the past century to understand changes in the way people remember their dead. In fact, animals appear more frequently each year.
In 1990, not one of the 53 obituaries appeared in the newspaper on any given Saturday. toronto star I also mentioned pets. However, this situation began to steadily change. In 1991, Harriet learns that “all her friends and animals will be saddened.” Similarly, Burton, who died in 1998, was “sorely missed for his 'good boy Scamp'”.
By the mid-2000s, approximately 1 to 4 percent of obituaries mentioned pets. Since 2015, this figure has risen to 15%.
Admittedly, these numbers are not that overwhelming. Of a sample containing 3,241 obituaries for him from 1980 to 2022, only 79 mentioned animals. But this small increase signals a change in the way people write obituaries.
tell a personal story
Our research shows that since the early 1900s, obituaries have become progressively longer. The old standard was a short notice that listed the deceased's name, age, and place of death, all in about four lines of space. In recent years, the average length has increased to about 40 lines, with some exceeding 100 lines.
This added space gives you more room to include more information about the deceased. For example, over 80% of his recent obituaries mention the deceased's children. This is an increase from about 50% before 1960.
Obituaries these days also increasingly mention the deceased's education, occupation, and hobbies. It is common to see rich, detailed descriptions rather than just listing attributes. Rather than being defined by his job title, one man was described as a “dedicated visionary who remained proud and loyal to his many employees and colleagues.”
our furry friends
As obituaries become longer and more detailed, it seems only natural that animals receive some attention. It has become more common to mention someone's love for pets or animals. The text will also be more detailed. In addition to knowing your pet's name, you can also find out whether it was an adorable toy poodle, a loyal companion, or the best dog ever.
Occupation is also a common obituary. For Mary, who passed away in 2019, the highlight of her career while working at Nestlé and Purina was “inducting various heroic pets and service dogs into the Purina Hall of Fame.” It's not just her professional passion. Mary also had six black Labradors at home.
Hobbies and interests are becoming more common in death notices. For Bobby, these included “sitting in the garden with my dog Chloe” and “entertaining my beloved parrot Pookie.”
Many obituaries end with a request for donations in memory of the deceased, rather than flowers for the family. Not surprisingly, groups like the Humane Society, the Farley Foundation, and various conservation groups are becoming more popular.
our new way of grieving
This trend in death notifications signals broader societal changes. In other words, people are starting to value nature and non-human animals more. The reasons behind this change are diverse and complex. But evidence in obituaries and elsewhere suggests that people are finding meaningful connections with the natural world and with non-human creatures.
Animals aside, obituaries also reveal important changes in the way we memorialize the dead. These were (and some still are) concise, formulaic texts. But more often, obituaries provide a window into a person's life. They can be sad and tragic, but they can also be funny, ironic, and heartwarming.
Best of all, obituaries have become more personal. In commemorating a lasting memory of a loved one, families want to share with the world what made that person special. This is told through the activities, people, and pets that have brought joy throughout your life. For some, this means cheering on their favorite hockey team, reminiscing about the time they scored a hole-in-one, or remembering their furry friends curled up together at the end of a long day. means.
Chris Miller is a postdoctoral fellow in the Secularism in Complex Futures project at the University of Ottawa/University of Ottawa.
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