New York now allows beloved pets to be buried with their owners.

New York recently enacted into law a bill which allows the cremated remains of a pet to be buried with their owner.

Now, there is one issue you can remove from the list of concerns related to planning for the future of your elderly parents. New York recently enacted into law a bill which allows the cremated remains of a pet to be buried with their owner in a cemetery meant for people. Religious cemeteries are exempt, and cemeteries are not obligated to accept animals.

Until this recent change in the law, pet owners were limited to placement in a pet cemetery if they wished to be interred with a beloved pet. An October 06, 2016 article in the New York Times reported that upon signing the legislation into law Governor Cuomo said: “Four-legged friends are family for many New Yorkers . . . Who are we to stand in the way if someone’s final wish includes spending eternity with them?”

The change benefits the growing number of people who want their final plans to include their pets, said David Fleming, director of government affairs for the New York State Association of Cemeteries, which began pushing for the new law about five years ago. The cemetery law is one in a series of steps taken lately that have made New York friendlier toward pets; for instance, a law passed last year allows dogs to join their owners at outdoor tables at restaurants.

Read the full NY Times article.