When a Pet Dies
Our animal companions may be our closest friends. They share our homes, our lives, and our love. Their death represents a significant loss. It is also natural to feel uncertain about how to handle the practical aspects of a pet’s death, and about how best to commemorate his or her life. Hillside Acre provides a comforting means of expressing a lasting tribute to your pet. Our services vary depending on your needs. We offer prompt, courteous service. Over 35 years of experience has taught us how important it is to recognize the lives of animals we hold so dear in our own special way.
Private Cremation
Hillside Acre works closely with a private company to ensure your pet’s cremains are returned to you in a timely manner. During a private cremation, your pet is individually cremated and returned to the pet owner in a wooden urn. You may also choose to have your pet’s cremains interred in a gravesite at Hillside, or scattered in our Memorial Center Bed located within the cemetery.
For further information please contact us at (978) 687-7453 x 6101 or at methuen@mspca.org.
Burial Services
We are no longer able to accommodate new burial requests at Hillside Acre.
For each pet owner, deciding how best to commemorate your pet’s life is a personal choice. We offer several memorial options throughout our property, allowing you to recognize the personal bond with your companion in a permanent way. The staff at Hillside Acre can assist you in choosing a comforting means of expressing a lasting tribute to your pet.
Pay tribute to a friend, family member or animal companion with an engraved brass leaf or foundation stone on the Hillside Acre Tree of Life, a beautiful memorial sculpture on the grounds of the cemetery. Your tribute will be a lasting visual expression of love and respect, as well as a strong symbol of support for the mission of the MSPCA. Click here to learn more.
The loss of a pet can be devastating. Many pet owners don’t know where to turn to process their grief when faced with the loss of a loving companion. The staff of Hillside Acre is trained to offer you the attention needed during your time of sorrow, and can assist you with grief support and counseling.
Heroes at Hillside and K-9 Row
Our Heroes at Hillside program offers free private cremation and burial at Hillside Acre for any Military War Dog, whether killed in action or adopted post-service. The same benefits are extended to Police K-9s as well, with final resting spaces in a special section known as K-9 Row.
Friends of Hillside Acre
Friends of Hillside Acre is a group of individuals who contribute funds to help support the cost of operations and the enhancement of the cemetery. The Friends are invited to annual events such as Pet Memorial Sunday to celebrate the depth and meaning of the animal-human bond.
How to Reach Us
Hillside Acre is located in Methuen, MA, near the intersection of Routes 28 and 213, a short distance from Interstate 93.
The physical address for the cemetery is:
3 Nevins Road
Methuen, MA 01844
Our cemetery office is located in the white house on the corner of the cemetery.
From Route 495:
Take Exit 47 to Route 213 West, Methuen.
Take Exit 2 off of Route 213 to Route 28, Methuen. Follow the ramp straight to the light. Make a left. The Hillside entrance is at the next light on the left.
From Route 93:
Take Exit 48 to Route 213 East, Methuen.
Take Exit 2 off of Route 213 to Route 28, Methuen.
Follow the ramp to the light. The Hillside entrance is directly across Route 28.
For further information on cremation and burial services, please call (978) 685-0632. Hillside Acres is open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Closed Saturdays, Sundays & holidays.
Please see our wish list below for items we are looking for in addition to monetary donations. For further information about Friends of Hillside Acre, contact:
Andrew Padarat
(978) 685-0632
apadarat@mspca.org
Wish List
- Gas cards, Windshield Washer Fluid
- Paper Towels
- Tissues
- Boxes of Rubber Gloves (Size Large)
- Watering Cans
- Lawn Fertilizer
- Roof Rakes
- Home Depot Gift Cards
- Tarps, any size
- Weed whacker line .095 thickness
- Lawn Rakes
