ZAGREB’S Spomengaj, the first pet cemetery and crematorium in Croatia, recorded its most successful month in its history in September 2025. During that period, as many as 76 pet bodies were received, which is a new record that surpasses the previous one from August 2021, when 71 pet deaths were recorded.
As stated by Tomislav Baća, head of Spomengaj, the extremely busy summer months – June, July and August – are behind them, but September has further highlighted the trend of increasing demand for pet cremation and burial services.
“During the summer, the services were mostly used by tourists whose pets died during their vacation, while in September, the customers were mainly citizens from Croatia. Demand for services for storing mortal remains at our cemetery has particularly increased,” Baća pointed out.
Thus, in September, Spomengaj performed eight burials, of which five urns with ashes were stored in cassettes, and three burials of pet bodies were carried out in graves.
The growing demand for these services shows that citizens’ attitudes towards the death of pets are gradually changing in Croatia. Pets are increasingly seen as equal members of the family, and ceremonies and rituals similar to those for humans are performed after their death.
“In Croatia, there are still no traditional customs for saying goodbye to pets, but more and more people are developing them. Some organize a final farewell, and many visit the Memorial on the eve of All Saints’ Day and on the holiday itself, to light a candle and pay their respects,” adds Baća.
This growing interest in a dignified farewell to pets confirms not only the importance of the emotional bond between people and animals, but also the need to develop a culture of remembrance in which pets occupy a special place.
Leave a Reply