The loss of a pet means the loss of a family member, friend, and loyal companion – finding a way to honor such an important animal is no easy task, especially during this time of intense grief.
Use this guide to put the perfect final addition to a dignified canine funeral, or use it as inspiration if you want to purchase a meaningful gift for a friend or family member currently experiencing the loss of a four-legged friend. These five memorial ideas can help you get started.
1. Engraved Plaque/Marker
An ordinary grave marker or memorial plaque can become something even more special with a little thought and planning. Consider having the likeness of your pet engraved on the marker, or include a quote or short story that describes the character of your pet so others know just how special he or she was.
A popular way to celebrate the life of a pet is to attach your plaque to a bench, water fountain, or other useful item before donating it to a local dog park – this type of memorial actively benefits other dogs and the people who love them. An act of kindness is a great way to honor a canine that enjoyed sharing love and happiness with others.
2. Tree Dedication
Dogs love trees – they love to sniff them, mark them, chase squirrels up them, and hang out in the shade beneath them… Many of a dog’s favorite outdoor activities involve trees and the creatures that live there. Planting a memorial tree is a great way to honor the life of your dog while improving the environment for other animals to enjoy.
You can even find special biodegradable pet caskets and pet urns for burial, so you can plant the tree as a sort of living burial marker. As the tree grows taller, those fond memories of your pet will grow stronger. This symbolic gesture is actually a very soothing process.
3. Canine Activism
While canine-centric charities do appreciate monetary donations, your time is really the most valuable thing you could give. Local dog shelters and rehabilitation centers always need volunteers to process paperwork, answer phones, care for pets, maintain the facilities, etc. Every little bit helps.
Some good ideas include the aforementioned shelters and rehabilitation centers, but can extend to services that benefit both people and animals: canine therapy, guide dog training, hospice and hospital dog groups, etc. Donating your time to these types of organizations is an extremely meaningful way to take all the love and inspiration your pet gave you, and pass it forward to other dogs and people in need.
4. Keepsake Urns
Many owners prefer to do something special with the ashes of their beloved pet. They might take the ashes to scatter at a favorite outdoor play spot or hunting ground, or perhaps right in the backyard. Scattering tubes are usually made of recycled paper and most companies offer customization so you can have it decorated in a way that reminds you of your friend. Look for biodegradable, eco-friendly options if you plan to bury the urn or sink it into water.
Other owners prefer to keep the ashes just as one would retain the ashes of a close family member. You can find unique pet urns anywhere that sells urns for humans, and if you prefer to keep the memory of your pet close to your heart, you could even look into tiny keepsake lockets with compartments to store a small amount of the ashes.
5. Cherished Memory Box
Those first few months of grieving are going to include many difficult but heartwarming moments when you come across a collar or toy that belonged to your loyal companion. You can turn these special finds into positive opportunities for reflection by cultivating a memory box – a safe place to store those important items for later reflection.
Include your favorite photos, newspaper clippings, dried flowers from your favorite walking path, and all those other things that are sure to mean so much to you as time goes on. Keep items that bring back happy memories. The entire family can participate in this activity, a cool way to share stories and thoughts about the pet they loved.
Every pet deserves to be remembered for his or her best qualities. Let those positive memories influence your decision and you’ll be sure to find a fitting memorial without difficulty.