Rememberance

By Robin Reinfeld Saying goodbye forever to your pet is never easy but knowing that we gave him a life full of love and happiness, as he did for us, helps to ease the pain of his loss. We love you Koby! Pet Memorial Sunday is a day to gather with others who’ve lost beloved animal companions, to share the space and grieve together for a while. Even during Covid, Deb Chebatoris, owner of Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation, has a plan for bringing people together, safely, no matter how things look in September, to help ease the aching emptiness of a significant part of their life.

“For 16 years I have hosted a Pet Memorial event,” she said. “Last year we managed an event where we were still together with a healthy social distance, and a portion of the usual program offered as online presentations, and this year we are planning a hybrid ceremony.” The annual event includes information on end-of-life issues from a veterinarian, on grief from a therapist, and a presentation of tributes for departed pets.

As always, anyone who is grieving the loss of an animal companion is invited to RSVP for this annual ceremony held on Sunday, September 19, 2021 as it’s celebrated partly virtually, partly live with social distancing. “We will be together, somewhat distanced, but visibly present as a community united in our grief,” Deb said. The most uplifting part of the event is the dove release. Deb explained, “They embody the spirit of our beloved, and as we watch them fly away, we begin to understand how to let go of our grief.”

“The attachment we form with our pets is remarkably strong, making their loss a uniquely hurtful experience,” Deb said. Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation has been providing comfort and compassionate care to families in the tri-state area for over 16 years. Deb knows the importance of a remembrance ceremony to assist human family members to deal with this huge loss. That’s one of the reasons she hosts the Pet Memorial Sunday ceremony each September.

If you would like to participate, go to www.ccpc.ws to RSVP for this free event. A pop-up will provide you a link to an event page. Your RSVP will register you and provide you with information about euthanasia, grief and renewal, and how tosubmit your 50-word tribute and picture.

Pet Memorial Sunday will be held September 19, 2021 at 2:30 p.m., Melrose Cemetery, 3064 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017. RSVP with photo and tribute by September 10, 2021. If you have questions, please call Deb at 412-220-7800.

There is a special place in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh that is open, cozy, and tranquil respite from the bustle of the surrounding community. Affording beatific vistas of rolling hills and wooden glens that wrap around friendly nearby neighborhoods. Jefferson Memorial Cemetery has provided a a peaceful resting place since 1929 when it was founded by Harry C. Neel. Jefferson Memorial Park was founded in 1929 and passed down to his only son, John D. Neel, who is credited with the growth and innovation that has made Jefferson Memorial what it is today. John’s eldest son, also Harry C. Neel, currently runs the business as President and CEO. Harry’s oldest daughter, Dagny V.N. Fitzpatrick, joined the sales department of Jefferson Memorial and is now Vice President in charge of Family Services. Harry’s second daughter, Whitney R. Neel, joined the Funeral Home team in 2013 and will become the family’s 1st Funeral Director upon completion of her mortuary degree in December 2016. Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Facts • A fully handicap accessible facility • 18,500 square feet of floor space, beautifully decorated in Williamsburg décor • A chapel with vaulted ceiling and cushioned pews to seat up to 115 people • 5 visitation rooms • Hospitality room and lounge with parquet hardwood flooring • A children’s room that offers parents and guardians the ability to express their condolences without a babysitter (adult supervision is required) • Lighted parking lot that holds 178 cars with 6 handicap accessible parking spots Jefferson Memorial Cemetery Facts • Jefferson cemetery consists of 340 owned acres with 170 acres developed and 180 acres available for future development • 1500 average annual interments • 38 traditional ground burial gardens including 4 lawn crypt sections for double depth burials • Mausoleum Crypt spaces constructed for casketed burial that includes

5 separate buildings and 4 private mausoleums • 14 mausoleum cremation niche units • 14 gardens that contain cremation niches • 24 garden statues of bronze or marble Unlike many cemeteries and funeral home’s today, Jefferson Memorial has a place dedicated to our furry friends that’s open, cozy and, tranquil – The Garden of Faithful Friends. Within the garden is the Faithful Friends Mausoleum, which houses crypt spaces for your pet, and unlike any other cemetery in the area, space for you and your pet. In that same building are niche spaces for pet and human cremated remains. The mausoleum is an elegant visual feature that expresses meaningful sayings and showcases people with their pets. Like a full-service funeral home, Jefferson Memorial offers visitation opportunities to all pet families. We at Jefferson believe that a pet who gave love and loyalty through life deserves the respect and dignity of having their remains placed in a lasting and final resting place, just as you would your human counterpart, for they too are a part of the family. We have developed a distinctive pet room that consists of an arrangement room, a display room for caskets, urns and memorials, as well as a visitation room. Our before needs representatives and Family Service team aim to serve our pet families in every way we can. We all love our pets and want to know they are in a safe and respectful place. Our Garden of Faithful Friends allows your pet to stay at your side forever. It truly represents our motto – Family is at the Heat of Everything We Do

For more information on how we can help you in your pets time of need, please reach out to our trained professional representatives at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz or call us directly at 412.655.4500