Funeral home hosts first pet service

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -  D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home in Fort Wayne held their first pet service of its kind on Friday.

The calling for Cody "Dog" McKinley will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons' new Tribute Center. Cody's owner, Bill McKinley, is grateful to have a service for his dog that's been in his family for the past eight years.

"When the time was coming, I was kind of torn on how to say goodbye and someone told me that McComb offered this service. And I knew this was the thing to do," he said.

David McComb, co-owner of the funeral home, told our sister station WANE that the service for Cody is a time for the family to be with the pet before he is cremated. Afterwards, Cody's family and friends will be able to gather with guests and have refreshments.

McComb said Cody is also the first pet to be featured in an official obituary.

Emma the dog was the first pet to be cremated by D.O. McComb & Sons. There is a special room at the Tribute Center called Emma's Room, where family can spend time with their pet before cremation. Emma's Room features pictures of pets on the walls.

"People like companionship. People rely on their pets for love and affection," McComb said.

McComb said his colleagues around the Midwest are now offering pet services as well. He believes it is a growing trend.

"Places that weren't holding pet services or offering pet cremation five years ago, now are," McComb said.