Question: Does Judaism allow pet cremation?
Dear Rabbi,
I will be saying goodbye this Monday to my cat, Misty, after 17 years. I plan on having her cremated and her ashes returned to me in an urn. Someone told me that keeping a pet's cremated remains is against Jewish law. Is this true? Obviously, I hope this person is mistaken. Thank you in advance for your response.
Estelle
Answer: Dear Estelle,
Thank you for your question about cremation of pets in Jewish tradition. You write that you recently suffered the loss of a pet cat who had been your companion for 17 years. I am very sorry for your loss. You ask if it is permissible in Jewish law to cremate a pet and to keep the remains.
Jewish tradition recognizes and respects the special bond that can exist between people and their pet animals. The prophet Nathan told a story to King David about a man who had a pet lamb. Nathan describes: "The man tended it and it grew up together with him and his children. It was fed from the man's food, drank from his cup, and nestled in his bosom. It was like a daughter to him" (II Samuel 12:3).
In this story, it is clear that the relationship between a tender and caring pet owner and his or her adopted "child" must be respected and held dear. It is, therefore, entirely appropriate in Jewish tradition that a person should be comforted upon the death of a beloved pet.
The traditional disapproval for cremating human remains does not apply to animals.
There may be some concern among orthodox authorities about keeping the remains of a cremated animal. Such remains may be regarded as a source of ritual impurity and, therefore, should be avoided. However, such concern would not likely rise to the level of an absolute prohibition. Even from a traditional point of view, there is no one clear standard for answering this question. If you desire an opinion from an orthodox point of view, you must consult such an authority.
There is little concern about the appropriateness of keeping your pet's remains from the perspective of Reform Judaism. It may be regarded by some as preferable (but not required) that remains be buried or scattered as a way of returning them to the earth and eliminating all concern of contact with a source of ritually impurity.
In any case, I suspect that you do not regard your pet's remains as being, in any way, a source of ritual impurity. There would be little sense in asking you to refrain from something that would give you comfort in your loss and which has no clear prohibition in Jewish tradition.
I hope this is of help and of comfort to you.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
