Do Animals Understand Death?

Communal mourning in the animal world shows just how many wild animals feel emotions, even understanding death, i.e. "anthropomorphize" means to ascribes human forms or attributes to animals.

​I've talked before how powerful community is when experiencing a death, and how it helps us to feel less alone.  It turns out (not surprising) wild animals also understand when a pack member has died.  

Numerous studies and significant evidence suggests that animal pay their respects, they hold vigils with other members, and they try to understand or process the death.

Some specified, especially birds, hold "funerals" for their dead relatives, as well as dolphins, domestic cats and elephants.

This evidence shows us how animals sense the importance of recognizing and acknowledging death, and taking the time to just "be" and not be in a rush to "get over it" and to "move on".  

Let us learn from animals about life, death and grief!

Do Animals Understand Death?