A Ceremony to Honour Your Beloved Pet

Losing a pet is one of the deepest heartaches we can experience. They are not "just animals", they are our family, loyal companions and silent witnesses to our lives.

Our beloved Bow and Ty

When our beloved Jack Russell 'Ty' passed away at nearly 17 years old, the grief felt overwhelming. She was more than a dog, she was woven into the fabric of our daily routines and our hearts.

When her ashes were returned to us, we knew we wanted to mark the moment. We got out our photo albums, shared memories, and let ourselves cry and laugh through the stories. My husband wrote a poem that beautifully expressed what so many of us feel in these moments:

So my four legged furry friend,

Our journey together has come to an end,

The tears are real, the grief is raw,

Can I Swap them... to hold your paw.

An empty bed, laying where I can see,

But no big brown eyes staring back at me,

Lickety Lick, Yappity Yap are no more,

Deathly silence when I open the door.

A million memories you gave to me,

Every step was fun you see,

So my four legged furry friend,

Thanks for allowing me to be YOUR friend.

We received a beautiful card from the vet along with forget-me-not seeds. We planted them in our garden, a small but meaningful act of remembrance. Later that day, we raised a glass to her and her sister, now both over the rainbow bridge... it was simple, sincere and healing.

Creating your own Pet Funeral Ceremony

If you're navigating the grief of losing a pet, know this; it's okay to honour them in a way that feels right to you. A ceremony doesn't need to be formal or elaborate, it just needs to be heartfelt.

Here are a few ideas to create your own pet funeral or memorial:

• Choose a meaningful location

  This could be your garden, their favourite woodland path, a sunny spot by a stream or a hill they loved to climb. The place you choose should feel comforting and personal.

  
  

• Share memories

  Bring out photos, tell stories, or write a letter to your pet. Let the tears come - or the laughter. Grief and joy often walk hand in hand when remembering a life well-loved.

  
  

• Read or write something

  A poem, a prayer, a thank you - anything that gives voice to what your pet meant to you. My husband's poem brought us both comfort; perhaps writing your own words will too.

  
  

• Plant something

  A tree, some wildflowers, or forget-me-nots, something that can grow and remind you of them year after year.

  
  

• Light a candle or raise a glass

  Mark the end of the ceremony with a symbolic act: light a candle, toast their life, or play a song that reminds you of your time together.

I can help you create a Pet Ceremony

If you'd like a little guidance, I can create a personalised ceremony for you. It can be as short or detailed as you like. We'll include your pet's favourite place, their quirks, your memories, and anything else you'd like to honour. It doesn't have to be in your garden, it can be wherever feels most "them".

Whether you're saying goodbye, scattering ashes, or simply need a moment to pause and remember, a small ceremony can bring immense peace.

It can be especially meaningful to include items that were dear to them: their favourite toy, a well worn collar, or that ball they never tired of chasing. You might bring these with you to their special place, the field they loved to run in, the stream they splashed through, or the sunny spot where they'd snooze. These little things carry their spirit, and in honouring them, we honour the joy they gave us every single day.

Because they weren't just pets, they were family and... "every story deserves a beautiful telling"...

Gail x