For many Aussies, these companions are more than just animals; they're cherished members of the household, confidants, and loyal friends through thick and thin.

With this love, however, also comes the heartache of saying goodbye.

So, it's no wonder that when the time comes, some wish to keep their beloved pets close, even in the afterlife.


Burying a pet with its owner was something that had to be done under the radar.

Debra Tranter, founder of Oscar's Law and operator of a small Victorian cemetery, knows this all too well.

She has seen how strong the bonds people have with their pets.

In the same vein, families have quietly bent the rules to honour this connection.


NSW recently passed a law allowing pets to be buried with their owners in cemeteries.

The nation-first policy aimed to legalise this heartfelt practice.

Other state campaigners are already on the lookout and are expected to follow suit.

'Funeral directors are breaking the law every day in Australia by sneaking in ashes or quietly contacting cemeteries about digging a hole to bury a dog,' Ms Tranter shared.

'It happens all the time because it's what people want.'


The push for this law was led by NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, who introduced the bill that passed through Parliament without a single objection.

'Families come in all shapes, sizes and species,' Ms Hurst shared as she celebrated the law becoming a reality.

'To many people, it may not necessarily feel like a major change, but for those who are in that situation, it is life-changing.'

Ms Hurst also pointed out that it was never right to criminalise the act of burying pets in family plots.
'People who run cemeteries are risking breaking the law… and they shouldn't be in a position where they have to do that when they're trying to respect a family's wishes,' she added.

Ms Tranter's own experiences with grieving families inspired her advocacy.

She recalled meeting a childless senior who arrived at her cemetery.


'They were never able to have children, but they had this old dog called Molly,' Ms Tranter prefaced.

'When Molly died, this dear old man turned up at the cemetery gates with her wrapped in a shroud, asking me to open the grave of his wife so he could put Molly in.'

'He was incredibly distraught, nearly in tears, and so we decided to meet his wishes,' she further shared.

'We opened up that grave, buried his dog, and had a little ceremony. But it struck me that it was such a beautiful, poignant moment, but we had to all keep it a secret because we were actually breaking the law.'

Previously, all burials had to be meticulously recorded.

These rules ensured that when a grave is reopened for another family member, no one is disturbed.

Since pet burials were illegal then, their locations could not be officially recorded, leading to the risk of accidental disturbance.


Now, with the new law, pet burials can be properly documented.

'We can now legally record it in NSW, and when we reopen graves, we won't be accidentally digging through people's pets,' Ms Tranter explained.

While NSW leads the way, campaigners and politicians such as Victoria's Georgie Purcell have been working hard to see similar laws introduced in other states.

Campaigners believe that soon, Australians will have the right to rest eternally beside their loyal companions without the fear of breaking the law.

For many seniors, pets have been lifelong friends, providing comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose.

Allowing families to stay together, even in death, is a recognition of that special relationship.
What do you think, members? Would you want your pet to be laid to rest with you or a loved one? We would love to read your thoughts, so please share them with us in the comments section below.