When You Lose a Beloved Pet
How to Create a Funeral or Remembrance Service for a Cherished Animal
"Planning and participating in a pet's funeral or memorial service can bring great satisfaction to those who mourn the loss of a cherished companion animal."
— Marty Tousley, Bereavement Counselor, Author, and Founder of GriefHealing.com
Losing a pet is like losing a family member. And It is a death in the family no less profound or less emotional than human loss. It comes with deep pain and grief.
Many pet owners never get to say a formal goodbye to their beloved animals because they feel it is not appropriate to mourn them in the same way we mourn our humans. Untrue! Many grief counselors agree that creating a special ritual gives the grieving parties an opportunity for contemplation and reflection, as well as helping the natural grieving process begin its course.
This compact guide offers sample prayers and grief rituals to help you create and conduct a remembrance for your beloved pet. It is adapted from our book, 'Pet Prayers and Blessings.'