12 gentle ways to remember a pet who has died
Simple pet memorial ideas, from candles and gardens to photo lamps and online memorials, to keep their memory close.
There is no right way to remember a pet. Some people want something quiet and private, others want something everyone can share. Here are ideas many people find comforting.
Things you can do today
- Light a candle at the time you used to walk or feed them, and say a few words.
- Write them a letter. Tell them what you miss, what made you laugh, what you wish you could say.
- Make a little shelf or corner with their collar, a favourite toy and a photo.
- Ask friends and family for their stories and photos. You may see moments you never knew about.
Things that last
- Plant something: a tree, a rose bush or a pot of flowers you can see from the window.
- Frame a favourite photo, or turn it into something that glows at night, like a photo lamp.
- Keep a paw print or a clipping of fur in a small box or locket. Many vets can help with a paw print.
- Make a photo book of their life, from the first day to the last.
Things to share
- Give them a place in an online memorial where friends far away can light a candle for them too.
- Share one story a day for a week with the people who loved them.
- Donate in their name to a shelter or rescue, or give their unused food and blankets to one.
- Mark the day each year with a walk they would have loved, a candle, or a visit to their memorial.
Whatever you choose, it doesn't need to be big. What matters is that it feels like them.