Pet hearse is Heaven sent

By Ed Merrison
BELGRAVE resident Taryn Bock, author of about 15 pet eulogies and poems, believes she is the only mobile pet funeral celebrant in Australia.
The custom-designed pet hearse she drives around with partner Ian Robinson, a former funeral director of 15 years, may also be the only one of its kind in the country.
Together, the couple have combined compassion and a love of animals to establish Pets in Heaven, a comprehensive funeral service for domestic animals.
The service was launched in July last year, about a year after the death of Mr Robinson’s beloved pet boxer, Tyson.
The brisk and clinical end to Mr Robinson’s relationship with Tyson reminded Ms Bock of how grief and sorrow could linger if owners were denied an opportunity to say a proper goodbye to their pet.
“I lost a Rottweiler 15 years ago and I still get a big tear in my eye when I talk about her.
“It was very, very devastating and I still remember it like yesterday,” she said.
Interest in the service, which aims to tackle loss in a more personal and reflective manner, grew quickly and before long the hearse was travelling all over Melbourne to visit one pet owner after another.
“We are like the pet angels. We charge all over Melbourne – wherever we’re needed, within reason,” Ms Bock said.
Despite demand for the service, it remains a personal and flexible process.
Ms Bock and Mr Robinson offer three sizes of basket – tiny, medium and large – which have conveyed everything from lorikeets and cockatiels to rabbits and, biggest of all, a bull mastiff cross great Dane.
Once the pet is prepared for viewing, owners bear the basket to the rear of Ms Bock’s white station wagon, which is carpeted and draped with satin and lace.
There they spend what Ms Bock calls ‘private quality time’ with the deceased as soft music plays.
Some may be inclined to give a quick cuddle while others opt for a more lengthy farewell, but for Ms Bock it is all about catering for individual needs.
“Each pet owner has his or her own little idiosyncrasies.
“Some may put a little, lone flower in the basket, others might fill it up with Schmakos, cards, pictures, flowers and notes.
“It’s a really nice goodbye for the pet family or owner. Although it’s sad it is also very rewarding to be able to help people in such a typically tragic time,” Ms Bock said. Owners may also choose a reading for their pet but Ms Bock is happy to act as celebrant for those who have not had time to gather their thoughts.
“With a human funeral you have a full week to get your thoughts prepared.
“For pets and owners, we’re talking hours, which puts stress and pressure on,” she said.
All pets are cremated individually and owners have even been known to select a favourite CD to play as the hearse makes its way to the cremation.
Ashes are usually returned to the owner within a week, along with a memorial pack including photographs of the final moments between pet and owner and an invitation to monthly pet loss support group meetings. “People are so grateful for that bit extra we give them – the time, compassion and empathy,” Ms Bock said.