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Photo: Graveyard for pets in Germany offers a dignified send-off

Ralf Hendrichs was devastated when his Dobermann died. But he was even more distraught when he learnt that its carcass ended up in a public grinder along with those of roadkill and farm animals. Hendrichs now not only manages the 10,000-square-metre cemetery called Tierhimmel (Animal Heaven), he also offers grieving pet owners comfort. The graveyard at Teltow is the only one in Germany offering pet burials as well as cremations.

Updated on: Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM IST

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A deceased pet dog lies “in state” before being cremated at the Tierhimmel (Animal Heaven) crematorium and pet cemetery in Teltow, just outside Berlin. “We cried for days on end,” Hendrichs said, recalling the death of his faithful friend more than 15 years ago and its sad end that prompted him to set up a cemetery for pets south of Berlin. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

A deceased pet dog lies “in state” before being cremated at the Tierhimmel (Animal Heaven) crematorium and pet cemetery in Teltow, just outside Berlin. “We cried for days on end,” Hendrichs said, recalling the death of his faithful friend more than 15 years ago and its sad end that prompted him to set up a cemetery for pets south of Berlin. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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Director of the Tierhimmel crematorium and pet cemetery Ralf Hendrichs poses in the cemetery in Teltow. “We often see very sad scenes here. People cry buckets,” the 66-year-old said, noting that some even turn suicidal. “For us, a pet is not just an animal, but a companion, a member of the family” who deserves to be given a dignified send-off, he said. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

Director of the Tierhimmel crematorium and pet cemetery Ralf Hendrichs poses in the cemetery in Teltow. “We often see very sad scenes here. People cry buckets,” the 66-year-old said, noting that some even turn suicidal. “For us, a pet is not just an animal, but a companion, a member of the family” who deserves to be given a dignified send-off, he said. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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A grave marker for a pet cat in the shape of a heart is seen in the cemetery of the Tierhimmel. Today, 34.3 million people in the country of 80 million own a pet, up 45% from a decade ago, according to a joint study by the Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers (IVH) and the German Pet Trade and Industry Association. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

A grave marker for a pet cat in the shape of a heart is seen in the cemetery of the Tierhimmel. Today, 34.3 million people in the country of 80 million own a pet, up 45% from a decade ago, according to a joint study by the Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers (IVH) and the German Pet Trade and Industry Association. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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A heavily decorated grave marker for a pet dog. No clear reason for the increase however has been identified but domestic pets have claimed a firm spot in the hearts of Germans. And more people than before are ready to give their four-legged friends a peaceful resting place. Teltow cemetery started its first year in 2003 with 120 burials, but that has jumped to more than 4,000 annually now. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

A heavily decorated grave marker for a pet dog. No clear reason for the increase however has been identified but domestic pets have claimed a firm spot in the hearts of Germans. And more people than before are ready to give their four-legged friends a peaceful resting place. Teltow cemetery started its first year in 2003 with 120 burials, but that has jumped to more than 4,000 annually now. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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A visitor lights a candle on the grave of his pet. Sebastian Oehlandt said he goes to the cemetery two or three times a week to spend time at the small tomb of his cat of almost 15 years, Hiro. “Suddenly, there was this massive hole,” he said, recalling the day when Hiro died just before Christmas. “I needed time for me,” said the 27-year-old, who lives with his father and another cat. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

A visitor lights a candle on the grave of his pet. Sebastian Oehlandt said he goes to the cemetery two or three times a week to spend time at the small tomb of his cat of almost 15 years, Hiro. “Suddenly, there was this massive hole,” he said, recalling the day when Hiro died just before Christmas. “I needed time for me,” said the 27-year-old, who lives with his father and another cat. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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Pet owner Karla Lemke kisses her 15-year-old female miniature Pinscher Scarlet, as she visits the grave of her male miniature Pinscher “Alien”. Lemke was still inconsolable more than a year after losing Alien. “For the last 14 months since he died, I’ve come here everyday, twice a day,” said the 63-year-old, who has turned Alien’s grave into the most decorated and colourful in the cemetery. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

Pet owner Karla Lemke kisses her 15-year-old female miniature Pinscher Scarlet, as she visits the grave of her male miniature Pinscher “Alien”. Lemke was still inconsolable more than a year after losing Alien. “For the last 14 months since he died, I’ve come here everyday, twice a day,” said the 63-year-old, who has turned Alien’s grave into the most decorated and colourful in the cemetery. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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Not only the elderly, but also young professionals, are turning to pets for comfort and companionship. Hendrichs confirmed the tendency. At the Teltow cemetery, boxes of tissues are available at every corner -- at the entrance of the main building, the crematorium or the quiet room, where the walls are covered with photos of dearly departed companions. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

Not only the elderly, but also young professionals, are turning to pets for comfort and companionship. Hendrichs confirmed the tendency. At the Teltow cemetery, boxes of tissues are available at every corner -- at the entrance of the main building, the crematorium or the quiet room, where the walls are covered with photos of dearly departed companions. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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In a little hall at the Teltow cemetery, a dog is delicately put on a willow basket, half covered by a beige veil upon which lies a yellow rose. The little white and clay coloured furball is given a final caress by his master, before being cremated. “Some say that a dead animal is poisonous -- that’s completely wrong,” said Hendrichs. At the same time, the cemetery is also a business. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

In a little hall at the Teltow cemetery, a dog is delicately put on a willow basket, half covered by a beige veil upon which lies a yellow rose. The little white and clay coloured furball is given a final caress by his master, before being cremated. “Some say that a dead animal is poisonous -- that’s completely wrong,” said Hendrichs. At the same time, the cemetery is also a business. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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Each grave plot costs 180 euros for every two years, plus 120 euros for burial costs, while cremations cost between 105 and 370 euros depending on the animal’s weight. Products such as urns or personalised keepsakes -- a paw print mould, a pendant containing the ashes or a diamond created from them are also on offer. Hendrichs is now planning a cemetery where pet and owner can share a grave. (John MacDougall / AFP)

Updated on Mar 02, 2019 12:13 PM

Each grave plot costs 180 euros for every two years, plus 120 euros for burial costs, while cremations cost between 105 and 370 euros depending on the animal’s weight. Products such as urns or personalised keepsakes -- a paw print mould, a pendant containing the ashes or a diamond created from them are also on offer. Hendrichs is now planning a cemetery where pet and owner can share a grave. (John MacDougall / AFP)

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