Hang with your four-legged best friend -- forever.
Want to hang with your best friend – forever?
It’s now legal in Florida.
State legislators last year amended state statutes governing the funeral industry, allowing people to be buried, or their ashes interred, with animals. Yep, before that you were breaking the law if you and Spot were resting in peace side by side. Who knew?
The change was proposed by Sen. Jim King, a Republican from the Jacksonville area. King had asked his family to bury him, when the time came, with his beloved black Labrador retriever Valentine, who had died nine years earlier and was cremated. The senator was surprised to learn that cemeteries did not allow humans to be buried with their pets.
The law does have two caveats: The ashes of pet and person cannot be co-mingled. And the deceased, or his or her legal guardian, must have given permission in advance. So if this is your wish, make sure you add it into your final exit planning.
(photo of pet urn from Angel Ashes. Go to www.angelashes.com)
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
