2009.02.18
Oakey's to open pet funeral home
Bereaved owners of the departed -- be they dogs, cats, fish or fowl -- will soon have a funeral home of their own.
Rezoning for a pet funeral home and crematory, the first of its kind for the region, was approved Tuesday night by the Roanoke City Council.
"It might be because I'm a big animal lover, but we just saw a need," said Sammy Oakey, president of Oakey's Funeral Service & Crematory.
The funeral home will be at 5416 Airport Road Northwest. A June opening is planned.
The funeral home will offer caskets, urns, plaques and memorial keepsakes designed for animals. The home will offer a cremation service, but has no plans for a cemetery.
The goal, according to information presented to the city council, is to "serve pet owners with the same care, dignity and respect that they do with human remains."
Oakey's will handle arrangements for all pets up to 200 pounds. "We won't be able to do horses or anything," Oakey said.
-- Laurence Hammack
This is a good idea. When our dog passed away back in 2001 our vet asked if we would like her cremated. I had no idea that the service existed in our area so we opted to do it. They picked her up at the vets office and returned her there as well, placed in the wooden urn we had chosen. The service was not cheap but when it comes to your pets you spare no expense in life or in death. We always have her with us as opposed to burying her in the backyard of our house and her urn is decorative so it blends with our other furnishings. I think pet parents in the Roanoke area will respond positively to this service.
Comment by Kim — February 18, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Sammy, thank you for giving pet parents a place to go when we lose our precious little ones. There truly is a need for this service. God bless you.
Comment by Teri Kessler — February 18, 2009 @ 10:36 am
This is a wonderful idea. I hate to think of the day when my pups won't be with me anymore, but knowing this option exists, makes me feel a little better about what I'll do when the day comes.
Comment by Laura Green — February 19, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Thank you for offering this service, this will help many.
Comment by Will Murray — February 20, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
[...] well known by most valley residents by now. We have five funeral homes in the region with a brand new pet funeral home & crematory set to open up in a few months. Thousands of folks visit our facilities each year, but they only see [...]
Pingback by What did I just agree to again? « More Than a Dark Suit — March 8, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
Lotz Funeral Home on Fraklin Rd handled my precious dog's cremation. I understand they've had that service for a couple of years. I don't know. But they did a outstanding job with the care and extras we got. Very compassionate and affordable. I have no regrets in using them.
Comment by Willam — August 25, 2009 @ 6:35 pm