As dog lovers, we do everything we can to make sure our pets are happy, healthy, and comfortable. We provide them with toys and treats and lavish them with attention. In many ways, they’re just as important as our human family members. Because the bond is so strong, it can be difficult to let go of our pets when they pass away. 

If your pet has died or is receiving end-of-life care, you’ll need to think about how you will honor their memory. Whether you or your family decide to bury or cremate your beloved pet, there are numerous types of memorials from which you can choose. If you’re unsure about how you want to eulogize or celebrate your dog, we have some ideas about how you can make that decision. We also have eight memorial suggestions.

Deciding How to Memorialize Your Pet

Each pet is unique and each relationship is different so the perfect memorial for someone else may not be right for you. When your pet dies, you’ll need to decide quickly on whether you’ll bury or cremate them. It’s, therefore, useful to plan ahead if your pet is of advanced age. While you may not want to think about the day when they’re no longer with you, you may find it easier to make the decision when you’re not yet grieving your pet’s loss.

The choice you make will have some impact on the type of memorial you get. However, a lot also depends on your personality and tastes and your pet’s personality and favorite activities. In addition, you need to consider whether you need just one memorial or multiple tributes for different members of the family.

If you enjoy writing, you may want to honor your dog with a story, poem, song, or another written piece. If you love to draw or your child loves art, perhaps you can render your pet in this way. Maybe you’d rather commission a professional portrait and have it mounted in a prominent place in your home.

Like many pet owners, you may have tons of photos of your dog on your smartphone. Why not print a few and frame them or create an album or photo scrapbook? If you love gardening and your dog had a favorite spot in your yard, you may want to plant a tree or shrub in your pet’s memory.

Here are some other ideas which you may want to consider.

Create a Pet Memorial in Your Backyard

Whether you cremated your pet or decided to bury them, you may be able to create a space in your yard for them. That way, you can easily visit whenever you want. Whether it’s the spot where they loved to lounge in the shade or where they barked at passersby, you can lay them to rest in a location that’s meaningful.

Order a Custom Pet Urn

There are urns in every size, shape, material, and color imaginable. Whether you want something quirky that reflects your dog’s personality or a classic vessel that complements your decor, you can order it. Your pet was unique and their final remembrance should be as well.

Get an Engraved Pet Memorial Necklace

If you want to be able to carry a little piece of your pet with you everywhere you go, you should look into cremation jewelry. Simply choose the chain and pendant you like for your pet memorial necklace, and insert a tiny portion of your dog’s ashes into a small receptacle. You can also engrave the pendant with the pet’s name or a meaningful date. This is an excellent idea if multiple members of the family want to share the pet’s remains or you want to keep the majority of the ashes in an urn.

Write Your Pet an Obituary

We mentioned earlier that you can put pen to paper if you enjoy writing. Obituaries aren’t only for humans; pets also have a story. Write about your dog’s favorite foods, games, or toys. Detail how they touched your life and what they achieved in their lifetime. Once you’ve written your tribute, you can print it and frame it, post it online, or simply save it in a drawer among other keepsakes.

Make A Donation in Your Pet’s Name

Making a charitable contribution is another great way to honor your dog. You can donate to a local animal shelter, a veterinary school or research facility, or any other beneficiary that you deem appropriate. This can be a one-off donation or something you do annually on a meaningful date. If you’re more practical than sentimental, this may be the perfect dog memorial for you.

Stage a Memorial Service

Holding a service can help to bring a sense of closure. You can restrict the attendees to members of your household or invite friends and relatives who understand what you’re going through. When everyone has gathered, sing, pray, recite a poem, or just share memories of your pet.

Start a Website or Social Media Page 

If you enjoy doing things digitally, you can take your memorial online. Create a Facebook or Instagram page or launch a website where you can post photos and stories. This is an excellent way to pay ongoing tribute to your dog while connecting with other people who are in a similar situation. Of course, you can also keep your content private if you wish.

Commissioned A Replica of Your Pet

This type of memorial may be less common than the others we’ve mentioned but it’s also an option. You can order a stuffed toy or painting that resembles your pet. Some companies can even incorporate the dog’s fur or ashes into the replica. If you’re looking for an unusual way to remember your pet, you should look into this.

Do What Feels Right to You and Your Family

We’ve made some suggestions but the final decision is up to you. You know your lifestyle and pet better than anyone else. Therefore, you should commemorate your dog in a way that feels appropriate to you whether that’s a custom pet memorial necklace or a donation to charity. The choice is yours!