The city of Macaé, located in the interior of Rio de Janeiro state, has become the first municipality in the region to allow the burial of pets in the same burial plots used by their owners. Under Municipal Law No. 5.539/2026, dogs and cats of any size may be interred in family or relative-owned plots in both public and private cemeteries, provided there is sufficient space.
To ensure sanitary safety, families must provide a report from a veterinarian registered with the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine (CRMV) proving the animal did not die from an infectious disease. Additionally, the animal must be placed in an appropriate funerary box or urn, the cost of which is the responsibility of the family. According to Municipal Cemetery Secretary Elias Jorge, no additional municipal fees are required if the family already owns the plot.