Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Pet Sematary. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: After his toddler Gage is killed by a truck, Louis Creed buries him in the ancient burial ground beyond the pet cemetery, and Gage returns as a murderous creature who kills their elderly neighbour Jud and Louis's wife Rachel. Louis kills Gage, then, unable to accept his loss, buries Rachel in the same ground, and the book ends with her returning home.
Quick facts
– Book: Pet Sematary by Stephen King
– First published: 1983
– Type: A horror novel
– Tone of the ending: Bleak and horrifying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Louis, a doctor, moves his family to rural Maine. Their neighbour Jud shows him a pet cemetery and, beyond it, a burial ground that brings the dead back. When the family cat is killed, Louis buries him there, and the cat returns changed and smelling of death.
What Happens at the End of Pet Sematary
Gage runs into the road and is killed. Louis, crazed with grief, digs up Gage and buries him in the burial ground. Gage returns and kills Jud and Rachel. Louis kills Gage and the cat with injections. He carries Rachel to the burial ground. That night, Rachel returns, her hand on his shoulder, and says “Darling.”
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Gage returns as a monster.
- Jud and Rachel are killed.
- Louis repeats his mistake.
- The ending is chilling.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Louis Creed | Waits for Rachel's return |
| Gage Creed | Returns and is killed again |
| Rachel Creed | Killed and returns |
| Jud Crandall | Killed by Gage |
| Ellie Creed | Away with grandparents |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the danger of refusing to accept death.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Many readers find the ending among King's darkest.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Grief. Louis cannot accept loss.
Death. Death should be accepted.
Obsession. Louis repeats the mistake.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Pet Sematary as bleak and horrifying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Stephen King to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bleak and horrifying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Stephen King closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1989 film keeps the ending, while the 2019 film makes Ellie the one killed by the truck.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Pet Sematary with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about grief, and do you agree with Stephen King's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bleak and horrifying, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces grief and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Stephen King leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Pet Sematary often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Pet Sematary earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Pet Sematary on Amazon
Books to Read After Pet Sematary
- The Shining by Stephen King
- Misery by Stephen King
Related: Pet Sematary by Stephen King: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Pet Sematary You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Pet Sematary?
After his toddler Gage is killed by a truck, Louis Creed buries him in the ancient burial ground beyond the pet cemetery, and Gage returns as a murderous creature who kills their elderly neighbour Jud and Louis's wife Rachel. Louis kills Gage, then, unable to accept his loss, buries Rachel in the same ground, and the book ends with her returning home.
Is the ending of Pet Sematary happy or sad?
Most readers call it bleak and horrifying.
What does the ending of Pet Sematary mean?
The ending shows the danger of refusing to accept death.
Is the ending of Pet Sematary the same in the adaptation?
The 1989 film keeps the ending, while the 2019 film makes Ellie the one killed by the truck.
Who wrote Pet Sematary and when was it published?
Pet Sematary was written by Stephen King and first published in 1983.
Is Pet Sematary worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy horror novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Stephen King prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Pet Sematary before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.