While we wish our pets could live forever, the day they leave us is something we can’t avoid. Pets hold such a special place in our hearts as life companions with never-ending love to give. When they pass, that grief can be felt heavier than you may think.
Whether you recently lost a pet or know someone who has, here are some pet memorial ideas that can help keep a furry friend’s memory close.
1. A Memorial Service
Invite friends and family over to walk down memory lane and celebrate your pet’s life through a memorial service. Exchange your favorite stories, share photos of your pet, and give yourself time to grieve while surrounded by loved ones.
2. A Garden Stone
Add a personalized pet memorial stone to your garden or backyard in honor of your fur baby. If they had a special sunbathing spot or a dirt patch they loved to dig in, their memory can stay imprinted there forever.
Frisco "Paws On Our Hearts" Heart Personalized Dog & Cat Memorial Garden Stone, Small
$23.99
Kay Berry Dogs Leave Pawprints Rainbow Personalized Memorial Stone
$114.09
FREE 1-3 day shipping
3. Pet Jewelry
Wear your pet’s memory every day with a pet necklace. There are options for both dog and cat parents so you can get something customized with your pet’s breed, add personalized engravings, and more. No matter which you choose, pet jewelry is a perfect way to keep a pet’s memory close to the heart.
PawFurEver Personalized Dog Breed Memorial Necklace, Australian Cattle Dog, Rose Gold
$21.99
Scamper & Co Sterling Silver Dachshund Pendant Necklace
$59.00
FREE 1-3 day shipping
Temporarily out of stock
Pet Friends Pave Paw Cutout Pendant Necklace, Gold
$7.81
Scamper & Co Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Cool Cat Pendant Necklace
$89.00
FREE 1-3 day shipping
Temporarily out of stock
4. A Custom Picture Frame
Photos are a great way to keep your pet’s memory alive, and you can put them in a custom frame or shadowbox for an even more meaningful dedication. There are lots of options: ones where you can add your pet’s collar or paw imprint, those with sweet engraved messages, or even a framed photo-turned-pet puzzle you can solve and display.
Pearhead Pet Pawprints Collar Frame Kit
$29.99
Pearhead Pawprints Desk Frame & Ink Kit, 4 x 6-in
$16.36
Malden International Designs Memorial Hinged Dog & Cat Frame
$18.99
5. A Personalized Painting
Having personalized drawings or paintings done of your pet is a beautiful way to keep them in your home and heart after they’ve passed. Look for local artists in your area who specialize in pet portraits.
6. Planting a Memorial Tree
Instead of a grave marker or memorial stone, consider planting a tree in your pet’s honor. This is a great gift for pet parents whose kitty loved to watch birds from a window or whose pup loved the outdoors. Loved ones can simply look out the window and be reminded of their late pet with this beautiful sentiment.
7. A Decorative Urn
If you chose to cremate your pet, they were likely returned to you in a generic urn, which isn’t always the most aesthetic. Picking out a more decorative urn can be a personal decision for many pet parents, and there are options for pets of all varieties, from small ash keepsakes to large classic vases.
Best Friend Services Ottillie Paws Slate Vertical Print Dog & Cat Urn, Ebony with Pewter Paws, Small
$36.95
Best Friend Services Ottillie Paws Slate Horizontal Print Dog & Cat Urn, Small, Raku & Brass
$36.95
A Pet's Life Odyssey Paw Print Dog & Cat Urn, Raku/Copper, Small
$41.26
A Pet's Life Arielle Heart Paw Dog & Cat Urn, Raku, Small
$66.64
FREE 1-3 day shipping
Temporarily out of stock
8. Donating in Their Name
A pet memorial doesn’t always have to come in the form of a physical item. Instead, consider making a donation to a shelter or rescue organization close to your heart. Many places attach names to the donations so you can add your pet’s name in memory.
9. A Memorial Wind Chime
Many pet parents spend time outdoors with their furry friends, leaving behind a lot of memories when they’re no longer here. With beautiful memorial wind chimes, you can think of your beloved pet every time the wind blows.
C&F Every Time the Wind Blows Wind Chime
$19.99
10. A Stuffed Animal Replica
A plush animal that looks like your pet is a sweet way to have something tangible to hold on to after they’ve passed. Some companies will even take photos of pets and custom-make stuffed replicas that are nearly identical, down to the last whisker.
11. A Memorial Flame
Pets are like lights in our lives, and what better way to remember them than with a candle or lantern to light in their memory? Let them fill the room with light like their memory fills your heart.
Carson Industries "Walk Beside Us" Lantern
$18.91
Pawprints Left by You Pet Memorial Lantern
$29.99
12. A Personalized Ornament
A personalized ornament with a pet’s name or photo on it is a great reminder that your pet pal is still with you in spirit. Once the holidays have passed, you can even hang it up in the house so you think of them every time you walk by.
Frisco "Forever Loved" Paw Shape Metal Personalized Dog & Cat Holiday Ornament
$21.46
Frisco Paw Glass Personalized Ornament
$15.99
13. A Photo Book
Who doesn’t love flipping through photo albums? A book of favorite photos of your pet can bring comfort, making it a great pet memorial idea. These photo books are a fantastic way to capture and remember a pet’s life and memories for years to come.
Though nothing can replace your pet, memorializing them can help you find comfort after they’ve passed.
More Resources for Pet Grief
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