PLPA Celebrates National Pet Memorial Day & Month, Creates Memorial Service Video

STERLING, VA (August 20, 2013)–The Pet Loss Professionals Alliance and its members will celebrate National Pet Memorial Month throughout September, and National Pet Memorial Day onSunday, September 8, 2013. These special days give us an opportunity to appreciate the strong bond between pets and owners, educate people about the grief process that occurs when a beloved pet dies, and increase awareness of the many options available to memorialize pets who have passed away.

New this year, a 15-minute recorded Service of Remembrance will debut on National Pet Memorial Day, September 8, at www.petmemorialmonth.com. The video will feature pioneers from the pet loss profession offering thoughts of reflection, inspirational words and opportunities to remember a beloved pet member of your family. This video will be accessible by the general public permanently and may be viewed at a person’s leisure year-round. Participants will include (in alphabetical order):

• Jodi Clock, CPLP, Clock Timeless Pets, Muskegon, Mich.
• Coleen Ellis, CPLP, Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, Greenwood, Ind.
• Roberta Knauf, CPLP, Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service, Columbus, Ohio
• Katie Koewler, CPLP, Heart’s Companion, Reno, Nev.
• Kate Moore, CPLP Beyond the Rainbow Pet Hospice & Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas
• Nancy Remkus, Hinsdale Animal Cemetery & Crematory, Willowbrook, Ill.
• J.T. Tomczak, Pals, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.
• Brett VanDeWoestyne, CPLP, Vandemore Pet Cremation Services, Geneseo, Ill.

PLPA members around the country will commemorate the day by holding memorial services, pet blessings, candlelight vigils and other events in their community. Pet parents worldwide may visitwww.petmemorialmonth.com to find a list of events being held near them, post an online memorial for deceased pets, view a list of ways to remember deceased pets and search for pet loss professionals in their area. The site will be continually updated as new information is available.

 

National Pet Memorial Day was originally created in 1972 by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries in recognition of the importance of remembering beloved lost pets. The day is always celebrated on the second Sunday in September.

 

“It’s incredibly important for people to grieve whatever loss they may experience in their lives,” said Bill Remkus, CPLP, PLPA co-chair and owner of Hinsdale Animal Cemetery & Crematory in Willowbrook, Illinois. “Pets are a part of the modern family and are sometimes the only ‘children’ a ‘pet parent’ may have in their lives. We want to assist them in expressing their love, accepting their grief and remembering these family members in a meaningful way.”

Founded in 2009, the PLPA has 255 members worldwide and is dedicated to providing education and opportunities for professional growth for providers of pet-related death care services. It is a committee of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association. Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization industry. Its membership is composed of more than 7,500 rooftop locations of cemeteries, funeral homes, crematories, memorial designers and related businesses worldwide.