6 WAYS TO MEMORIALIZE YOUR PET
The death of a beloved pet is devastating. I remember experiencing the transition of my two cats and it was a very difficult and traumatic time. After the dust settled and a little time passed, I wanted to honor their memory. I did find a few ways to keep their memory alive and honor their lives. Reflecting back on that time, here are six different ways in which you can memorialize the life of your pet.
Photos/Paintings
One simple way to remember and honor the memory of your pet is to compile a bunch of photos you’ve taken over the years and make a book of their life. You can create a photo book online through a site like Shutterfly.com or another site that allows you to upload, drag and organize photos in a flip book format to save for a lifetime. Also, as an alternative, if you have the extra money to spend, you can have a professional painting made of your pet from an existing photo. I’ve listed a few companies below however research and choose one that looks good to you and fits your own budget.
Pet Jewelry
A second way to remember your pet is having a keepsake like a special piece of jewelry. There are so many options for both men and women for honoring your pet in a stylish way. I personally was gifted a gold locket with a picture of my cat inside. This way she’s always close to my heart. For women and men, a bracelet, necklace or a keychain is a great option. I personally love my personalized keychain by MeowLoverclub. You can also read about my personal experience with the company in my post called MeowLoverClub: Custom pet portrait jewelry made just for you. Don’t forget you can use my discount code to save 10% off too.
This company, as well as others, can customize jewelry pieces with your pet’s name and/or birth dates too. The jewelry options you have can range from expensive as gold or as affordable as handmade. Here are some additional options that may work for you.
Urn/Headstone
A third option for those that wish to cremate their pets’ ashes is an urn. After cremation, your vet or urgent care may provide you with a tin or wooden box with an etched plate. If that’s fine for you, great! However, depending on your preference you can keep things simplistic or order an urn with name engraving. If you did not cremate your pet and had them buried, a nice headstone is a good option to memorialize them. Headstones can be customized in many ways to include name, image and short passages for your loved one. Here are a couple links for potential options to consider.
Keepsake box
A different and unique idea to try is create a keepsake box in memory of your pet. You can go to a craft store like Michael’s and buy a nice decorative small box or decorate an old shoe box in the house and wrap in nice fabric or paper. Inside the keepsake box you can have a collection of your pets’ favorite toys, a couple of pictures of you both together and their collar with name tag. Whatever items or trinkets you care to remember them by, you can save in this box. Some pet parents even keep a tuft of fur as well. If parents to human kids can keep baby teeth or lockets of hair, I see nothing weird about saving a little fur.
Plush Toys
Another extraordinary idea comes from a company called Petsies. This company specializes in custom made plush stuffed animals made from your pet’s image/photo. The plush animal is made to be a close replica of your pet. This happens to be a cute and cuddly way you can always keep them close and snuggle with them whenever you want. Yes, it’s not the same, but definitely a unique and different way to memorize your pet in a positive way. You can see several photos of happy Petsies customers plush toys here.
Make a donation
Last but not least, consider making a donation. One of the most memorable gifts I received when my cat passed away was a donation made by my veterinarian in my pet’s honor to a local animal shelter. I never expected such a grand gesture, but I was humbled and grateful. Experiencing Dusty’s passing was extremely hard for me and receiving a lovely card with a note of a donation made in Dusty’s honor was the first time in a while where my heart filled with joy. Her death generated an opportunity to help other animals in need.
So although your pet is not here anymore, consider doing something selfless for the benefit of other animals in need and make a donation in your pet’s honor to your local ASPCA, Humane Society or local animal shelter of your choice.
I hope these few tips help provide you options to consider to memorialize your pet. If you enjoyed this post, check out my other blog posts dealing with life after pet loss below:
Dealing with guilt after pet loss
8 Things I wish I knew before experiencing pet loss
5 Products for Pet Lovers who have Lost Their Pet
When dealing with the loss of your pet, how did you keep their memory alive? Comment and share your thoughts.
Originally published July 2016, Updated May 2018
I liked that you pointed out that it might be smart to think about cremation with your pet. My grandmother moves her pet horse but it isn’t doing too well at the moment. So, it might be smart to have an urn picked out that can hold the ashes of a horse.
Thank you. I’m glad this post helped you. I’m sorry to hear your grandmother’s horse isn’t doing well now, but it is a good idea to be prepared. Sending you positive vibes.
I like that you mention getting a personalized memorial bracelet, necklace, or keychain. When choosing one, it might be a good idea to consider what symbol or wording you want on it to remember your beloved pet so you can choose the right size and style. You could also consider what style fits your outfits so you can wear the memorial jewelry on a regular basis to always remember your friend.
Tiffany,
That’s a helpful tip too! Finding a bracelet or memorial piece that’s just your style will work all year round.
I really like that idea of getting a specialized urn for your pet, as well as the jewelry idea. Pets can do so much for our emotional well-being, so I thinks it’s only fair that we give them a proper burial. Do you have any tips for choosing an urn company?
Bethany,
Agree. Personal touches are so special. I don’t have tips for selecting a specific company as every pet parent has different taste. This would make for a great blog post topic to share. 😉 What tips would you offer a grieving pet parent?
I love the jewelry idea. The stuffed animals is a great idea too. I have a little ceramic statue that a friend painted for me as a memorial to one of my boys.
Holly,
Oh I love that idea with the ceramic statue. It’s unique and personal. Thanks for sharing and I’m sorry for your loss.
After Nissy died, some of his Twitter pals got together and had a paintin’ done of him. IT’S BEAUTIFUL. The peep framed it and everythin’ and it’s now in our livin’ room. PURRS.
Seville,
Sorry about Nissy. 🙁 However it sounds like the painting in Nissy’s memory brings the family much comfort.
Jasmine remains in our hearts. And we have tons of photos and movies. Cookie is part of Jasmine’s legacy; adopted in her honor. My work, the book, the blog, and Facebook support group, are all Jasmine’s legacy.
Jana,
Love! Especially videos. It really helps keep the happy positive memories alive and fresh. Jasmine’s legacy lives on for sure. I’m sure she’s proud.
What incredibly well thought out ideas! Several that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own, and thank you for including links! I will be referring back to this when I need it!
Shannon,
Happy to share. That’s my goal with this post and blog. To share my experiences and tips with pet loss but it all doesn’t have to be depressing or morbid. It’s important to have some positivity, creativity and inspiration too!
I have found the best way to memorialize my pet is to write their life story. Somehow that always releases me. Creating a photo album also helps. I remember my lost pets every day as various passwords. I do like the Petsies. I’ll have to get one someday.
Sandy,
Yes I like the Petsies idea too. I find that the dog replicas are really well done. More and more companies are venturing into this idea of creating plush toys. I think it’s a great idea to take the morbidity out of pet loss.
Getting over the death of a pet is one of the hardest things to do. I think creating some kind of memorial is a healthy thing that lets us make peace with everything. The jewelry memorials are my favorite – they let you have your pet’s memory close to you.
Robin,
So true. The latest keychain I had made by MeowLoverClub really made me smile so big. To remember her image so vividly warmed my heart. I agree with you.
I’m glad you found ways to get over your loss and move on.
I loved the album part and ofcourse the donation part.
I’m glad you found happiness again
Meanwhile, I’m interested in reading those stages of grief.
Thanks Enele. Yes honestly the grief never ends but you do find a place of healing with time. The days definitely get better after dealing with such a loss. Thanks for exploring more on the blog!
Our cat recently passed away, after 15 years of living with us. I really miss him greeting me first thing in the morning and telling him good night. We buried him just on the other side of his favorite window. I’m not sure what I’ll do memorialize him, but most of these have possibilities.
Beth,
I’m so sorry about your cat. Since the window was his favorite spot I’m sure that’s exactly where he wanted to be. You followed your heart and I’m sure he knows it too. Thanks for sharing your personal experience.
When a friend’s dog passed away from cancer, we donated some money in her name to a foundation that was researching cancer. And for another friend, I gave her a portrait of all of her dogs.
April,
That’s very thoughtful. I know I definitely remembered that gesture when my vet donated. It meant a lot. I’m sure your friend was very grateful.
We have pictures of all of those we have lost From modern acrylic interpretation to a classic watercolour. They are the best for us, I would love to have a glass necklace made with Dash’s ashes though.
Oh I like that. A glass necklace. I bet it’s beautiful. You know I’m an artist and a fan of art so watercolour is a great way to keep their memory alive. Thanks for sharing.
It’s so devastating losing a beloved pet, it can be difficult finding a way to cope. I’ve created memorials during times when I’ve felt helpless, and they made a world of difference. Your 6 ideas are all brilliant, and I hope anyone who has experienced this kind of loss will find a way to honour the memory. It will make them feel better.
Thank you Hindy for the kind words. 🙂
When my cat of 17 years passed I had her cremated and her urn is in my office – some of the ashes are in a locket. It was a product the cremation services offered. Some people find that a little morbid but not me.
Sherri,
I don’t find it morbid at all. I actually told my family when I leave this Earth, get lockets made with a sprinkle of my ashes so I’m always with you. 😉
Though I do not have a pet of my own, I wish I could’ve shared this post with my aunt who had a Japanese Akita who they loved so much and I loved her too and she loved us, they had to put her down and it was hard for my cousin. I am not sure if they did any of these suggestions, but I hope they did something because there were a lot of great memories with that dog. In fact, when I do get my own pet, I’m getting a Japanese Akita. Great post!
Thank you Roland! Wish you the best in the future with adopting and don’t hesitate to share this post or my blog with your aunt. 🙂
This is a really hard decision one but what I did when Baby passed was donated all her clothing to a non profit organization that we were clients of, kept my favorite things in a basket plus a friend of mine gave me a beautiful box with “Chai” in Hebrew which means “Life” where I have kept some of the special items of hers.
Ruth,
What a beautiful gift your friend gave you. That’s very thoughtful and heartwarming. Thanks for sharing your experience.