Grief and loss are already taboo topics of discussion within our society today.
So it can sound even more unusual for someone to deeply mourn the loss of their beloved pet that has recently passed away.
Does the exhausting and unsympathetic phrase, “Jeez, it was just a stupid dog, get over it!” come to mind?
Because of this, non-pet owners often fail to understand that losing a furry loved one can be just as profound and life-changing as losing a human loved one.
But don’t worry.
There are thousands of other pet owners who’ve been in your shoes and know exactly what it’s like to feel whatever it is you might be feeling right now. And you can find comfort in knowing that there are many ways to keep your pet’s memory alive and with you long after they’re gone.
One of the best ways is by having a funeral to honor them.
Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.
Body Disposition: Burial vs. Cremation
The loss of our furry loved ones can cause a gaping hole within our hearts and lives that’s very real and very painful.
But just as with our human loved ones, major decisions must be made in order to properly and legally dispose of the animal’s body.
Burial
Depending on your area, there may be a pet cemetery or pet funeral home available. If there is, they’ll take care of the process for you.
However, if this isn’t an option in your location, or if the fees for using these professional services are out of your price range, you can choose to have your pet buried in your own backyard. This does come with potential restrictions from your city or state, though, so you’ll need to take the proper precautions in order to avoid contamination of the water supply or other wildlife.
If you’re unsure, check out this resource for further information.
Cremation
Depending on your personal preference, you can bury, scatter, or even keep your pet’s ashes if you choose to have them cremated.
Burying the ashes is a little easier than burying the body, and there are no legal restrictions against it on your own property. It’s ideal to use a biodegradable cremation urn or container.
If you wish to scatter your pet’s ashes, there are also no laws against doing so, but if you wish to scatter them on a property that’s not your own, just be sure to ask for permission first before doing so.
The most common option for a pet’s remains, however, is to keep the ashes. To do so, make sure to have an urn of some kind. Whoever cremated your pet will already place the ashes within a container for you, but you can make it more personal by decorating your own container or purchasing a customized one.
For more tips on pet cremation, check out resource here.
What to Say and Do at a Pet Funeral
Just as with our human loved ones, a funeral is a special way to honor your pet’s memory and the impact that it had on your family’s lives. However you choose to go about it, just remember to keep the tone of everything respectful, as the seriousness of death is best served with a reverent tone.
For example, depending on your pet’s personality, you may want to share some funny stories, pass around photos, play some videos of your pet, read a special or collection of , sing a song, light a candle, have a few moments of silence, or say a special prayer.
After doing so, if you’re burying your pet, now’s the time to place them in the grave. You might also want to gather any special drawings, notes, or even a favorite toy of your pet to bury with them. If you’ve cremated your pet, now’s the time to close the urn and put it in the desired location. You might also want to place special keepsakes together around the urn.
Then, when you’re ready, offer everyone the chance to say a final goodbye, and close the service.
Memorials and Keepsakes to Cherish Forever
Create a special plaque or marker of your own or purchase one to place on your pet’s grave if they were buried. If making your own, I recommend making it out of wood, painting brick or stone, or following this concrete tutorial. If purchasing, I recommend going on Etsy, because there’s a massive variety of stones and markers to choose from that are highly customizable and within all kinds of budgets, from as low as $4 to upwards of $1,000.
Grow a tree, plant, or flower out of your pet’s ashes if they were cremated. You’ve probably heard of the idea to plant a tree in memory of a loved one before. But did you know that you can now grow a tree, plant, or even flower specifically from your pet’s ashes? And even better, you get to choose whatever kind of tree, plant, or flower that you want! How cool is that? You can look through different options here, here, or here to decide what’s best for you and your pet.
Repurpose your pet’s collar or leash. Your pet’s collar will always be a part of who they were. So why not repurpose it into another item that you can keep close by? You can use the collar to make a bracelet, a keychain, or even a memorial photo frame, like this DIY craft here. That way you can feel a constant connection to your pet’s memory each time you wear it or see it displayed in your home.
Purchase memorial jewelry in honor of your pet. I recommend going on Etsy because there are so many different beautiful options to choose from and all kinds of jewelry-related items, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and more.
Make a memorial poster, video, social media page, or box. Spend time decorating and designing the memorial in a way that highlights your pet’s personality and how much it meant to you.
Adopt a new pet. Right now, it’s probably too hard to even think about loving another animal. But whenever you’re ready (if you’re ever ready), what better way to honor your lost pet and restore your unconditional love than to adopt another pet? A new pet will never replace your former one, but it’ll bring the same light back into your heart and your home, and you’ll be able to help an animal who’s desperately in need. Your lost pet would be happy you did so. And eventually, you’ll be happy you did so, too.
Have you had a funeral for your pet? Share your experience in the comments below!
Resources
“24 Touching Pet Loss Poems to Find Comfort In.” Sympathy Card Messages, 6 Jan. 2019, .
“50+ Beautiful Loss of Pet Quotes.” Love Lives On, .
“Final Care of Your Pet’s Body.” Petfinder, 17 May 2016, .
“Pet Cremation Guides.” Cremation Institute, .
Szczesniak, Daniel, et al. “DIY Pet Funeral Guide: How to Plan a Pet Funeral Service.” Urns, 26 Nov. 2019, .