Scholars, veterinarians, activists, photographers, and artists from the US, Australia, and Europe offer 26 essays on how humans mourn animal death. They discuss the history of animal burial practices, the interpretation of animal burials from British archaeological sites, the practice of sacrificing horses for Pazyryk burials, and Anglican pastors' views on animal afterlife; mourning of pets, including pet cemeteries and taxidermy, mourning practices in Korea, cryopreservation, children's experiences, public mourning, and condolence cards; mourning of animals that died in war and those on display in museums; animals that are not mourned, such as racehorses and those killed for meat and by cars; and coping and human responsibility for animal death, such as animal shelter workers, veterinarians, and animal advocates. Each section includes a photo essay. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
We live more intimately with nonhuman animals than ever before in history. The change in the way we cohabitate with animals can be seen in the way we treat them when they die. There is an almost infinite variety of ways to help us cope with the loss of our nonhuman friendsfrom burial, cremation, and taxidermy; to wearing or displaying the remains (ashes, fur, or other parts) of our deceased animals in jewelry, tattoos, or other artwork; to counselors who specialize in helping people mourn pets; to classes for veterinarians; to tips to help the surviving animals who are grieving their animal friends; to pet psychics and memorial websites. But the reality is that these practices, and related beliefs about animal souls or animal afterlife, generally only extend, with very few exceptions, to certain kinds of animalspets. Most animals, in most cultures, are not mourned, and the question of an animal afterlife is not contemplated at all. Mourning Animals investigates how we mourn animal deaths, which animals are grievable, and what the implications are for all animals.
We live more intimately with nonhuman animals than ever before in history. The grieving we practice in the event of an animal death, and related beliefs about animal souls or animal afterlife, generally only extends to certain kinds of animalspets. Most animals, in most cultures, are not mourned, and the question of an animal afterlife is not contemplated at all. Mourning Animals investigates how we mourn animal deaths, which animals are grievable, and what the implications are for all animals.
