Pet Funeral Ceremony: When Your Fur-Baby Dies

When your pet dies, it can be devastating. ​Pet Ceremonies provide a beautiful way to honour and remember your furry friend. They can help with the grieving process and provide a symbol of remembrance.  Find out how.

Coping with the Loss of Your Pet: Healing through Pet Ceremonies

Coping with the loss of a pet is never easy, but creating a space to remember them can bring peace and comfort. I offer a range of services to help you honour your beloved pet, including funerals and memorials.

I understand the importance of your pet and am here to support you in this difficult time. This is what helped me when I was grieveing for my furbabies.

​A Pet is Part of Our Family
Being a pet owner isn't just "owning a pet". Animals can become part of the family and, in some circumstances, are the only "family" some of us have.

Sometimes the death of a much-loved animal can have such a devastating impact that it can affect our daily functioning. ​The loss of an animal should never be dismissed as not important. 

It can impact some of us the same as losing a loved one who is human. Saying to someone, "It's only a cat or dog, never mind - you'll get over it. You can buy another one" is not what you say to a person grieving the loss of their beloved fur baby. The impact can be huge—sleep deprivation, guilt, loneliness and an ache that feels like it will never go away.

Molly and Tommy
​I had two beautiful cats, Molly and Tommy. Molly was 15, and Tommy (pictured ) was almost 17 when they passed. They were brother and sister (we couldnt just choose one kitten we took them both). I had my cats before my children; they were very much part of our family.

I remember saying to people BEFORE I got them, "My cats won't be in on the furniture; they can stay in their basket if they are inside." Reality - "Ohh, it's cold outside; I will turn on my electric blanket on my bed so they can sleep on my full, soft duvet with heat coming through."

The loss of Molly and Tommy was awful, and it was a pain in my heart that non-pet owners will never feel. I had to have both my fur babies put down as their health was deteriorating, and the guilt stayed with me for a long time. 

My daughter Tala at age 8 with Tommy our cat

One of the things that did aid in the start of our healing and acceptance that they were gone was a "Pet Ceremony." ​It may involve a funeral (where you are burying your pet) or memorial (your pet may have already been cremated, or you do not have your pet there).

A Pet Ceremony
Having a beautiful ceremony where you share your stories is very healing. You are honouring your pet and the feelings you have. It can give you a chance to start your grieving process. You are allowed to cry at a funeral or memorial!

You can do many things to symbolise your "headstone" for your pet. Painting a stone, planting a tree, shrub or rose or building something special in your garden are only a few ideas. A painted stone or rock is a good option for children as they can bring their rock or stone inside to have their "pet" near them. It is also good if you move as you can easily take that with you. 

Do whatever you need to for YOU. 

Ideas to Consider

• Have a Ceremony
• Have a garden stone or rock
• Plant a tree, shrub or rose
• Make something in their honour (i.e., a garden seat to put where they loved to sleep in the garden)​
• Get a tattoo 
• Frame your favourite photo/s
• Keep their dog/cat tag and put on your keyring
• Give a donation or your time to the local SPCA or animal shelter

Your pet is an integral part of your life.
Honour them.
Remember them.
Celebrate them.

​Love, Jade x
​