1. How did Hartsdale begin?

• Click here to read more about our history.

First and foremost, Hartsdale provides compassion and comfort to those who have lost a pet.  Some may not understand the profound sense of loss that one feels when their pet dies.  We do.  While we can not bring your pet back, our objective is simply to make you feel a little bit better at a time of loss and sorrow.  The care and sensitivity exhibited by our staff is an integral part of our service.  From the time we are contacted we spare no detail to lessen the burden of grief.  At Hartsdale, we help keep the memory of your pet alive.

• Burial Services
• Cremation Services
• Monuments
• Flower Care Programs
• Special Day Open House Events

3. Why bury at a pet cemetery?  Why not bury in your backyard?

• Local laws may prohibit home burial.
• Burial in a cemetery alleviates the concern of leaving your pet behind if you move.
• For those who wish to bury their pet on property other than Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, we offer a variety of pet caskets that can be purchased from us. 

4. How can I be sure that Hartsdale will continue to be in existence?

There are a number of safeguards to ensure that Hartsdale Pet Cemetery will always remain a pet cemetery.

Land Ownership – All right, title and interest in the land that makes up Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is held solely by this corporation.  There are no leases, liens or encumbrances against our land whatsoever that could jeopardize the interests of our plot-holders. 

Deed Restriction – Hartsdale Pet Cemetery’s deed has been legally restricted to ensure that our historic burial ground will never be used as anything other than a beautiful and dignified resting place for pet animals.

Irrevocable Trust Funds – The mere fact that a cemetery has established a trust fund for perpetual care does not ensure the continuation of the cemetery if that fund is not sufficient and/or is not protected adequately.  Hartsdale Canine Cemetery, Inc. maintains two irrevocable trust funds (described below) which protect the land against foreclosure or abandonment.

The Tax Endowment Trust Fund ensures that the real estate and property taxes will be paid in perpetuity. 

The Perpetual Care Trust Fund ensures the future maintenance and preservation of the Cemetery in perpetuity.

The above trust funds were created in the 1920’s.  Accordingly, they have matured and accumulated substantial assets over a long period of time.  Currently, those assets are more than five-hundred times the minimum that is legally required for pet cemeteries in New York State.  As an additional safeguard, the trust funds are managed by a large, multi-national bank that acts as the independent custodian and trustee.  The Cemetery is merely the income beneficiary of the trust funds and is not permitted to withdraw any principal.

Historical Significance – Established in 1896, the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is the first pet cemetery in the United States and second pet cemetery in the world.  It is a world-class organization that has been providing compassion and comfort for over 110 years.  It even survived the Great Depression.  It is the home of the famous War Dog Memorial, the first memorial that pays tribute to the canine heroes that served so nobly in World War I.  Hartsdale enjoys worldwide media exposure regularly.  Internationally, we have been featured in TV documentaries in Spain, France, Korea, Ireland and The Netherlands.  Domestically, we have been featured in TV programs on the Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel, PBS and most major networks.  Locally, Hartsdale is a landmark in Westchester County and is included in the Westchester County Office of Tourism's website.  In many ways, the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is a national landmark that should remain for all future generations to visit.

5. Can I trust Hartsdale?

For more than 110 years, customers have placed their trust in Hartsdale.  Our reputation and our integrity is unmatched.  While we are not infallible, there are a number of factors that help to ensure that this confidence continues.

• Reputation – Established in 1896, the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is the oldest operating pet cemetery in the world.  As such, we carry an enormous responsibility to set the standard for every other pet cemetery in the world.  That standard is very high and we thrive on this challenge.  We are told time and time again that Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is more beautiful than most human cemeteries.
  
  
• Small, Family-Operated Business – The Hartsdale Canine Cemetery has been under the direction of Edward C. Martin, Jr. and his family for over thirty years.  Accordingly, we provide a very high level of service whereby every plot-holder receives the individual attention that he or she deserves.
  
  
• Experience – We are proud that employee retention is very high at Hartsdale.  Many of our employees have been with us for over 10 years.  Some employees have been here for nearly thirty years.  As such, we have a great deal of experience with our business.  Also, many of us have loved and lost pets.  Therefore, we can empathize with the grief that our plot-holders feel when they lose a pet.
  
  
• Government Regulation – Unlike human cemeteries, pet cemeteries are largely unregulated.  However, New York State passed laws in 1991 that regulate pet cemeteries, pet crematories and veterinarians.  The purpose of these laws was to instill consumer confidence about the disposition of pets by raising the standards and procedures that must be followed by pet cemeteries, pet crematories and veterinarians.  See NYS Consolidated Laws: General Business Law:  Article 35-C; Section 750.  We are proud that during the drafting of this legislation that the  legislators consulted with us and decided to use Hartsdale’s impeccable procedures as a model in drafting these laws.
  
  
• IAPC Member – Hartsdale is a member of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries (IAPC).  As such, we adhere to a strict code of ethics in our industry. 

IAPC – Code Of Ethics

We as a member of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PET CEMETERIES, engaged in the business of owning, operating and developing pet cemeteries and other activities thereto, and mindful of duty which our industry bears to the public, and for the purpose of proclaiming our ideals for the benefit and protection of the public, our employees, ourselves and our Association, do hereby accept the following Code of Ethics of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PET CEMETERIES.

1. We pledge to uphold the highest standard, always striving to raise the level of the industry.
2. We will perform all services in a dignified manner showing the compassion, sympathetic understanding, and genuine concern required.
3. We will respect the confidence of every family served.
4. We will provide adequate cemetery facilities, maintain them to the best of our ability, keeping in mind our cemetery reflects all pet cemeteries.
5. We will not pay any commission, remuneration or gratuity to other than such member's regular salesman, engaged for that purpose, in the sale of cemetery lots, crypt or niche spaces, interment rights, cremations, memorials or any other cemetery property or services (hereinafter referred to as "cemetery property and services").
6. In the event we should have or make an independent contract with any agency to sell our cemetery property and services, such independent agency will be provided with copies of this Code of Ethics and require that such agencies, their officers, directors, employees and salesman in every respect must conform to this Code.
7. We will not use any method of advertising, sales presentation or persuasion which conceals, evades, or misstates a material fact.
8. We will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
9. We will maintain our own individual price policy.
10. We will maintain adequate burial and financial records.
    
    
• Better Business Bureau Member – Hartsdale is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau which instills confidence in consumers who choose to conduct business with us.

10. Am I permitted to observe the cremation or burial?

Yes.  It is Hartsdale’s policy to encourage the observation of the cremation or burial.  Arrangements can be made by telephoning our business office (914) 949-2583 or by visiting our offices.  A funeral can be tailored to meet your requirements.  A typical funeral at Hartsdale includes viewing your pet in our private viewing room where a final moment of peace and solitude may be spent saying your last good-byes in a relaxed setting.  Although viewing your pet is not required, it can help alleviate the grieving process for many.  Pastoral services are also available if needed. 

11. How will my pet’s cremated remains be returned to me?

Since we can not anticipate whether a pet owner will scatter, bury or keep the cremated remains of their pet, all cremated remains are returned in a simple, floral decorative tin box that has a removable top.  For those that wish to have something more permanent and/or more ornate, we offer a variety of beautiful urns.