Memorialization
Memorialization is the way in which we honor the memory of someone. When we talk about memorialization with respect to pet loss, we are considering the many ways in which animal caregivers choose to preserve the memory of their loved one.
Memorialization is a critical part of the grieving process because it creates ritual. It is how we begin to wrap our heads around the permanence of our loss while at the same time cherishing the memories of the one we loved.
Memorialization is how we center our emotions during a time of inner turmoil to focus on those moments, times, places, and spaces that our companion animal loved.
Memorialization is one way that we come together in grief. It is how we celebrate our loved one while still being respectful of the ways in which must individually grieve.
Memorialization comes in many shapes and forms and may include one or more of the following:
Host a memorial service
Select an urn that represents your pet
Scatter your pet’s ashes at a favorite spot
Light a candle
Write a letter to your pet
Write a poem about your pet
Find a quote that makes you think about your pet or one that acknowledges the depth of the grief that you are feeling in the moment
Find a song that makes you think about the relationship that you shared with your pet
Get a memorial bird feeder (e.g., if your cat loved to watch the birds)
Create a photo album or photo collage
Create a memorial slideshow
Create a memory chest
Create an online pet memorial website
Create an outdoor memorial
It could be something as simple as a stone that you add to your garden or a tree that you plant in honor of the pet
It could be a plaque that you designed in honor of them that you put in the yard.
It could be that you bury the urn in your yard and mark the resting place
It could be a bench that you engrave with the pet’s name
Outfit a resin stone with your pet’s image and name
Hang wind chimes
Create an indoor memorial
It could be something as simple as a candle (lit or unlit)
It could be a pet memorial shelf that you place significant objects on (e.g., the pet’s cremation urn and/or photographs)
Preserve their paw print or nose print in ink or with a simple salt dough. You can also purchase a commercially available product (e.g., Clay Paws) that you use to help you capture the print
Preserve a clipping of fur
Grow a tree from the pet’s ashes
Turn your favorite photo into a pet portrait or caricature
Turn your favorite photo into a memorial pillow that you can hug when you are missing your pet
Turn your favorite photo into a laser-engraved crystal (e.g., Crystal Clear Memories)
Customize jewelry that is created using your pet’s ashes
Create a custom paperweight or other treasured memento using your pet’s ashes
Blown-glass stones
Blown-glass ornaments
Create an abstract image from your pet’s ashes (e.g., EverAfter)
Create a customized stuffed animal replica of your pet
Get a tattoo to honor your pet
Celebrate their birthday
Do something special for you on the anniversary date of their passing
