I come from a family where beliefs were different. My dads believed in cremation. My moms in burial only. I am talking about how they cared for the remains of human loved ones by the way. There are so many reasons why one is chosen over the other. As for our four legged loved one there are also many reasons. I have lost three dogs in the last several years - two to old age and one to cancer. I buried one and cremated two. The one I buried died at home in her sleep. Patchy was laid to sleep in my middle field where she loved to walk with me and play with her sisters. Ra Ra took sick and died in another state while we were on vacation. It just about killed me. It was very sudden and quick due to the type of cancer she had. She was so young and full of life. I had her cremated. Loppy Dog was also cremated. She died when the ground was starting to freeze. It is common practice to cremate up here due to the ground being frozen for a great part of the year. Our frost line is four feet or better. The other way if you will not cremate is to store the remains of your loved one (human and animal) until the ground defrosts in the late spring and then wait for the "mud season" to end. We get a lot of snow and when it melts everything is wet and real muddy. We don't have spring - we have mud season up here. Many say a winter death is twice as hard because you have to loss your loved one twice. Once when they die and again when you bury them. Cremation is other choice. I chose cremation for my loved ones during the months the ground is frozen. I couldn't bear to loss them twice. Other reasons for cremation ?? No yard to bury your dog in. I was asked many years ago by a friend if she could bury her dog in my yard (she rented). Of course I said yes. A draw back for cremation is cost of course. I always pay to get the ashes. It is very costly for a lot of people to have done in these hard economical times. In the end - it all about your beliefs, the circumstances and what you can afford. The death of a loved one is painful.