Barcelona to host Spain’s first pet cemetery

It will open its doors in 2024 and offer cremations and burials

The Barcelona City Council announced that it plans to create Spain’s first public pet cemetery, so that bereaved owners can offer their favourite pets a send-off worthy of a beloved family member. The new facility is expected to come into existence by the end of 2024 and it will offer both traditional burials and cremations. The estimate is that 7,000 of these services will be carried out each year.

The need for the pet cemetery was defended as arising from the large popularity of animal ownership in the Catalonian capital. According to Barcelona Secreta, there are 180,000 dogs in the city and 50% of resident families own a pet.

Between 20 and 30% of pet owners would be interested in these services, as the president of Barcelona cemeteries, Eloi Badia, also a councillor for climate emergency, said during a press conference.

Dignified treatment of pets in their last journey

To implement the initiative, the city council will readapt areas in the Montjuïc and Collserola cemeteries over an 18-month period. The project will require a 1.1-million euros investment and reportedly the cremating service would cost around 200 euros.

If pet owners wish to have several extras, such as a place to leave the ashes, the price will increase by 50 euros. The rooms in the cemetery will be adapted in order to host small ceremonies to bid farewell to beloved companions. 

Eloi Badia explained that these suggested prices are high because they will provide “high-quality service” for pet owners who insist on keeping a link to their departed animal family member.

However, the pet cemetery will also offer a collective cremation service to divide the cost among the various owners.