Pet Memorial Service Ideas

Experiencing the loss of a pet can be incredibly tough and difficult to come to terms with. Some find it important to find a way to pay tribute to their pet and remember them. This could be with a pet funeral or memorial service. It not only allows a grieving family to provide a special send-off in their pet’s memory, but it can also bring closure and help owners come to terms with what has happened. Carrying out a service similar to human funerals can bring comfort as it is familiar.

Who?

Consider who would be the right people to attend your service. You may want them to be significant in your pet’s life, or someone that you know will bring you comfort and sympathy. The main thing is to make sure whoever attends understands your grief so that you feel comfortable. If you have children, involve the whole family. Not only will they feel part of it, but it will help them understand what has happened to their pet and can help with their grieving process. Taking an active role may be highly rewarding for them. You will also need to think about who will lead the memorial or service. It needs to be someone who is comfortable with speaking in a group. It could be that you decide to use a celebrant to lead. Make it as formal or informal as you like.

Where?

Location of where to hold the service may be significant to you. If you are choosing to bury your pet in a pet coffin, you may wish to have the memorial by their graveside. This could be in your garden or pet cemetery. If you are planning for a burial in a pet cemetery, make sure to reach out to them about a burial service as they may be able to help you plan this. Read our blog on pet burial or pet cemeteries to find out more. Another location for your service could be your pet’s favourite place such as their favourite walk, a favourite spot in the garden or a beautiful natural area local to you, such as a lake or beach.

Content

It can be hard deciding what you would like to happen at your pet service. A good place to start could be a song or a reading that is significant to you or your pet. This can set the tone for the pet funeral. If you decide to have a reading, you can either find one online or write something yourself. Talking about memories of your pet can be touching, make it as personal as you would like. After the opening song or reading, it may be nice to say a few words about why you are all there and who you are saying goodbye to. After these initial openers, it can be a good idea to let anyone who would like to participate say a few words themselves. Sharing memories as a group involves everyone. Lighting candles can be an excellent way to do this. Each person could say a memory or a few words about your pet, and light a candle afterwards. Candle lighting ceremonies can bring a sense of calm to pet funerals. If you or your family are religious, you could also say a prayer or read a biblical passage at this point. Alternatively, a poignant poem could be read aloud. There are many online for pet funerals which may feel relevant to you.

To bring in something a bit different to your service, you could create a video memorial of your pet, which would include photos and small video clips set to music. This can be played on a projector screen for everyone to see. Finally, a closing action can be a good way to round off the service. It could either be a prayer, placing a plaque on their grave or planting flowers or a tree in their favourite spot. Planting a tree will be particularly moving, because as it grows it will be a constant reminder of your pet. Once the service itself has ended, you could plan to have a wake. Much like human funerals, a wake can be a great way to bring the family together after a service, as well as providing a more relaxed way to remember your pet. You could go out for dinner or have a special dinner at home as a celebration.

Pet memorials or services can be a good way to involve your loved one’s in how you’re feeling and is an important part of the grief process as it can bring about acceptance and closure. There is no right or wrong way to carry out your service, as long as it feels right for you and your pet.