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Social Functions of a Pet Graveyard: Analysis of Gravestone Records at the Metropolitan Pet Cemetery in Moscow

2017; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 30; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/08927936.2017.1335099

1753-0377

Svetlana Bardina,

Gothic Literature and Media Analysis

Nowadays, pets are often buried, mourned, and remembered as family members; present-day pet cemeteries are starting to resemble human burial grounds. This raises the question of what are the social functions of pet cemeteries. This study is based on the assumption that the main social functions of a cemetery are memorialization, providing a place for communication with the dead, and expressing hope for immortality. Thus, the paper proceeds with an analysis of these social functions on the basis of gravestone records at The Metropolitan Pet Cemetery in Moscow. Analysis of epitaphs suggests that the abovementioned social functions are largely applicable to this cemetery, albeit partly transformed. Companion animals are often commemorated as family members or as close friends of the family. Yet, pet grave inscriptions at the cemetery rarely mention any aspects of the pet’s identity that are relevant out-side their “family fold.” Moreover, gravestone inscriptions express certain ideas on the afterlife of pets. That said, pet owners mostly do not believe that animals possess spirituality. Their afterlife is seen as returning to the family, living “in their hearts.” Thus, animals also lack a spiritual identity. In general, gravestone records could be seen as a means of communication between a pet and its “family” and as the manifestation of personal ties. Therefore, this cemetery, as with any cemetery, serves for memorialization of the dead, for maintaining communication with them, and for expressing beliefs about their afterlife; but all these functions refer mostly to the sphere of private family life.