A specialised area for the interment of pet cremated remains has been established at a cemetery in East Sussex.
The new pet ashes burial section has been created at Hailsham Cemetery on Ersham Road following a decision by Hailsham Town Council.
The facility provides a dedicated, lasting location where owners can lay to rest small companion animals such as cats and dogs.
Council representatives indicated that the initiative responds to an identified gap in services for pet owners seeking appropriate burial arrangements locally.
Access to the facility extends beyond Hailsham to residents of surrounding towns and villages in the region.
The burial section occupies land adjacent to the primary entrance of the cemetery grounds, situated on an area that had previously remained undeveloped.
Individual plots within the section measure roughly 30 centimetres square, with each space available at a cost of £99.
This charge encompasses the preparation of the site, the burial carried out by cemetery personnel, a vase for flowers, and documentation confirming ownership of the plot.
Should owners wish to inter additional pet ashes in the same location, a supplementary payment of £99 applies.
Memorial markers or plaques may be positioned at plots provided they conform to the council’s specifications regarding dimensions and aesthetic design, with installation arranged and funded by families themselves.
Tony Lee, who serves as operations and facilities manager for the council, explained that establishing the dedicated section transformed previously unused cemetery land into a facility addressing a real requirement within the community.
The grounds team approached preparation and ongoing maintenance of the plots and their surroundings with the same standards applied throughout the council’s other cemetery operations.
The aim was to deliver an understated, tranquil environment maintained to a high standard, offering grieving families a suitable place to commemorate their pets.
The site accommodates approximately 120 plots, ensuring the service can remain available to pet owners throughout Hailsham and neighbouring areas for years to come.