Q. I have a neighbor who has crosses marking the graves of his dogs. Is this okay?
A. Thanks for your question. While the Church doesn’t have a particular teaching on this, in the bigger schema of things, I don’t see this as being wrong. I am guessing the person who placed the crosses there has a great expectation as to what the experience of heaven will be for himself/herself. Likely, the dogs brought a great deal of satisfaction to their owner’s life, and I surmise this person means no disrespect whatsoever.
While animals have consciousness, that is, they are aware of their surroundings, mobile, and able to respond to interaction, they are not immortal. In other words, they do not have souls like us, and their existence ends upon their death.
What distinguishes humanity from lower life forms is that human beings have a soul which includes an intellect and a free will. The human soul is immortal, meaning, it exists forever after death.
Your question touches upon the longing and expectation of every human person for heaven: What will heaven be like? Where will it be? Previous popes have taught that heaven is not measured by time and space but, rather, is well beyond our comprehension on this side of eternity. Fantastic promises have been made by the Lord and are captured in Scripture as to what that experience will be like.
Jesus spoke frequently about the next life, and His entire ministry was geared toward preparing us for life with Him in heaven. Common Scripture passages regarding heaven include: Matthew 5:12; Matthew 5:19: 1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Peter 3:13; Hebrews 11:16; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 4:2; Revelation 21:1-5; Revelation 22: 1-5.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
