Illinois Pet Cemetery
6 N 347 County Farm Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
Written by Gary Bloze, owner.
Illinois Pet Cemetery is the oldest pet cemetery. It's a family-run business, started in 1926 by the grandfather of Gary Bloze. He got the idea during the first world war, when he saw one in France. He got killed in a car accident in 1930, two weeks before the father of Gary Bloze was born, while he was out selling a headstone. The steering wheel went through his chest. At the time of his death, he had a pet ambulance service and a pet newspaper, the Pet Lover's Review. He also sold pet insurance.
The grandmother of Gary Bloze ran the cemetery from 1930 to 1972, and she made it her life. Her name was Marie C. Bloze. She was a very personable person. She really loved to talk with people. Especially after a death, everybody needs to talk.
The cemetery is about six and a half acres surrounded by the forest preserve, Hawk Hollow. They bury just about anything dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits, turtles, ferrets. Years ago they buried fighting roosters.
The cemetery has five, six state police dogs out there. Sometimes people bring their own minister or priest or whatever and conduct a graveside service for the pets. Some famous war dogs were given burials with full military honors. The cemetery also has ashes from 40 to 50 people who wanted to be buried with their pets.
A small grave marker goes for $385. Some people have bought gigantic headstones. They go upwards of a couple thousand dollars. Rich and poor, anybody—we make it possible. The cemetery has no-interest payment plans for people who really can't afford the money right away. The cemetery offers flowers in the summertime, evergreen blankets in the wintertime. Just about anything people want.
The cemetery is run a little bit different than the other pet cemeteries. They don't have a yearly upkeep charge, where if you don't pay the upkeep after a couple years, they cremate the remains and sprinkle the ashes on the ground. Some cemeteries they make you sign a document, and unless you're a Philadelphia lawyer you really can't understand it.
From '72 till last year, it was the father of Gary Bloze and myself running the cemetery. His father t passed away in 2010. Now Gary Bloze runs it. He have a cousin named Karl who has been his right-hand man. He has friends that come out to help him here and there, but it's usually just Karl and he, and his wife helps with some of the paperwork.
When someone calls, they pick up the pet right away, and we make arrangements for the burial. They have to put them in a controlled environment, especially in the summertime. They have to make sure no flies get around them. If the owner can't make it out here—some people are getting elderly—they open the casket or pine box up and they take a picture for them at no charge. Some people like to take a lock of hair, some people like to take a paw print.
One lady's been coming every week, and her poodle was buried almost 20 years ago. Another lady she said she cried more from losing her pet than from losing her husband. You feel an immediate loss when you lose a pet.
Haunting:
Man motorists have reported seeing the dark, filmy forms of dozens of cats and dogs running across the road.
In July 2017 there was an investigation of Katy's Pet Cemetery in Pekin Illinois was putting the remains of animals in freezers. In the midst of the investigation Joe Abts the owner and sole suspect committed suicide. 3 animals were in a broken freezer sitting outdoors. Clients were receiving ashes that may or may not have been their pet.
Written by Gary Bloze, owner.
Illinois Pet Cemetery is the oldest pet cemetery. It's a family-run business, started in 1926 by the grandfather of Gary Bloze. He got the idea during the first world war, when he saw one in France. He got killed in a car accident in 1930, two weeks before the father of Gary Bloze was born, while he was out selling a headstone. The steering wheel went through his chest. At the time of his death, he had a pet ambulance service and a pet newspaper, the Pet Lover's Review. He also sold pet insurance.
The grandmother of Gary Bloze ran the cemetery from 1930 to 1972, and she made it her life. Her name was Marie C. Bloze. She was a very personable person. She really loved to talk with people. Especially after a death, everybody needs to talk.
The cemetery is about six and a half acres surrounded by the forest preserve, Hawk Hollow. They bury just about anything dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits, turtles, ferrets. Years ago they buried fighting roosters.
The cemetery has five, six state police dogs out there. Sometimes people bring their own minister or priest or whatever and conduct a graveside service for the pets. Some famous war dogs were given burials with full military honors. The cemetery also has ashes from 40 to 50 people who wanted to be buried with their pets.
A small grave marker goes for $385. Some people have bought gigantic headstones. They go upwards of a couple thousand dollars. Rich and poor, anybody—we make it possible. The cemetery has no-interest payment plans for people who really can't afford the money right away. The cemetery offers flowers in the summertime, evergreen blankets in the wintertime. Just about anything people want.
The cemetery is run a little bit different than the other pet cemeteries. They don't have a yearly upkeep charge, where if you don't pay the upkeep after a couple years, they cremate the remains and sprinkle the ashes on the ground. Some cemeteries they make you sign a document, and unless you're a Philadelphia lawyer you really can't understand it.
From '72 till last year, it was the father of Gary Bloze and myself running the cemetery. His father t passed away in 2010. Now Gary Bloze runs it. He have a cousin named Karl who has been his right-hand man. He has friends that come out to help him here and there, but it's usually just Karl and he, and his wife helps with some of the paperwork.
When someone calls, they pick up the pet right away, and we make arrangements for the burial. They have to put them in a controlled environment, especially in the summertime. They have to make sure no flies get around them. If the owner can't make it out here—some people are getting elderly—they open the casket or pine box up and they take a picture for them at no charge. Some people like to take a lock of hair, some people like to take a paw print.
One lady's been coming every week, and her poodle was buried almost 20 years ago. Another lady she said she cried more from losing her pet than from losing her husband. You feel an immediate loss when you lose a pet.
Haunting:
Man motorists have reported seeing the dark, filmy forms of dozens of cats and dogs running across the road.
In July 2017 there was an investigation of Katy's Pet Cemetery in Pekin Illinois was putting the remains of animals in freezers. In the midst of the investigation Joe Abts the owner and sole suspect committed suicide. 3 animals were in a broken freezer sitting outdoors. Clients were receiving ashes that may or may not have been their pet.
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