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BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS


People bury people because they have to. People bury pets because they want to.



Please note that the cemetery floods. It is near the Mississippi River and has flooded the last few years. This past year (2019) it was flooded more than 30 days under approximately 3 foot of water. When the cemetery opened in 1990, it had never flooded. This has only started in recent years and seems to be getting worse. Graves have not been damaged by the water, but I am an honest person and what you to understand that this is a possibility before making the decision to bury at Cedar Hills.

Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery has been serving the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and surrounding communities since 1990. We offer three burial packages, but can customize these packages to accommodate personal requests. Our beautiful 1.3 acre pet cemetery has been deeded in order to protect the pets buried there---forever. So you can have peace of mind knowing that your pet will never be disturbed by anything other than the forces of nature. If you find yourself in need of our services immediately, or would simply like to discuss future need, please know that we are here to help. Below you will find our burial package descriptions and a price chart at the bottom.

Scheduling-- Due to circumstances of weather, wet or frozen ground, and personal itineraries, very rarely can burials take place the same day as your pet passes. In fact, sometimes it takes weeks, and occasionally months, before a burial can take place. Postponing is not something we like to do. However, the ground at the cemetery stays wet much longer than most. The top may seem dry, but as soon as we dig down 1-2 feet, water begins to seep in within minutes of the grave being complete. This, I assume, is because of the proximity to the Mississippi River and the higher water table. We have been digging graves here since 2001 and are familiar with these issues. Please understand that just like you, we want to bury your pet as soon as possible, but our experience with these issues will determine timing as we do not want to dig the grave only to have it flood before it is filled in. (Also note that this is usually a spring issue. Summer months the ground is usually very hard and almost impossible to dig.) When these circumstances arise, we will pick up your pet and hold it in cold storage, preserving the body until the burial is scheduled. At that time you are most welcome to view the body again if you wish.


Gold Package Premium Burial--includes local pickup from your home or veterinarian's office, silk floral piece, and a standard burial shell pet casket. The standard burial shell casket may be upgraded to one of our more lavish pet caskets for an additional fee. (Please note that due to our casket sizes, the Premium Burial for Very Small Pets does not include a casket). Our Premium Burial sites are located in the front half and most desirable areas of the pet cemetery and are to be used with pet caskets. Premium sites may be decorated with landscaping rock, borders, and large markers. No trees or shrubs without written permission by Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery.



Silver Package Economy Burial--includes local pickup from your home or veterinarian's office and a wooden marker with small silk flower arrangement. Caskets are optional and may be added to the burial price at the client's request. Our Economy Sites are located in the back half of the cemetery and may be decorated with flowers and small markers only. No landscaping rock or borders.



Common Burial--includes local pickup. Common Burials are located throughout the property in less desirable areas chosen by Cedar Hills and are generally done only once a month at our convienence. Owners are not present during these burials. Pets are preserved in cold storage until the burial takes place. These sites are left unmarked. No permanent markers or caskets. Please call for more details.



Size Premium Economy Common
Very Small (bird) $150.00 $60.00 $15.00
Small (cat/yorkie) $255.00 $150.00 $60.00
Medium (spanial) $325.00 $185.00 $80.00
Large (lab) $375.00 $250.00 $125.00
X-Large (100lb+) CALL $300.00 $160.00


We are sorry but we cannot accommodate horses, livestock, wild animals, or pets over 200 pounds.

Containers/Caskets: Often times clients ask if they can provide their own box or container for their pet instead of using one of our optional caskets. As long as the container fits the body perfectly, yes you may provide your own. When I say "fits the body" I mean the container isn't but 2-4 inches bigger than the pet inside. Plastic containers purchased at the store come in standard sizes. If you purchase a container that fits the length and width of your pet but is 4-8 inches deeper/taller, we will not use it. A container that is larger, especially deeper, means we have to dig a grave that much bigger and deeper. We HAND DIG all graves. Also, if the container is a lot larger and should ever collapse under the weight of the earth, the void inside the container will fill with earth leaving a large depression on the surface. Filling the void inside the container with bedding and blankets is not a solution. Again, we can only dig a grave so deep and we will NOT dig extra to accommodate an oversized box/container. The standard casket is 9"-12" deep. 95% of pets less than 100lbs fit in this perfectly.

Payment: All fees must be paid at time of pick up. We accept local checks and credit cards. Non-payment will result in legal action and/or removal of your pet after 1 year of non-payment!

Pre-Arrangements: By making arrangements for your pet in advance, you can have peace of mind that when the day comes, everything will be handled in a loving manner with just a phone call from you or your veterinarian. You may reserve your pet's burial site, choose a casket at this year's price and be assured that it will be in stock when it is needed. You may also begin thinking about a grave site marker.

Markers and Maintenance
: It is the pet owner's responsibility to clearly mark their pet's premium or economy grave site with a permanent marker if they wish. Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery will mark each new grave site with a wooden cross for up to one year as time allows for that maintenance. In addition, Cedar Hills will maintain the cemetery grounds by mowing, removing weeds from premium grave sites, removing flowers and temporary markers when they deteriorate and by maintaining an accurate plot map of all grave sites for future reference.