3 Simple Ways to Honor a Pet After Death

Because love doesn’t end when life does

Losing a beloved animal companion can turn our world upside down. The grief is real, deep, and sometimes surprising in how much it hurts, especially in a society that doesn’t always recognize how profound these bonds are.

One of the most healing things we can do in the days and weeks after a pet dies is to create small rituals of remembrance. These don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. They simply need to be meaningful to you.

Here are three simple, heartfelt ways to honor your pet’s life and the love you shared:

Create a Memory Corner

Choose a quiet spot in your home and fill it with a few special items that remind you of your pet: a favorite toy, collar, photo, paw print, or candle. This corner can become a place where you pause, cry, smile, and remember, especially in those early days when grief comes in waves.

Even a small shelf or windowsill can hold a lot of love.

Write a Letter to Your Pet

Sometimes the hardest part of grief is all the words left unsaid. Writing a letter to your pet gives you a space to express love, gratitude, and even regret. You might write about your favorite memories, what you miss most, or how they changed your life.

You don’t have to show it to anyone. You can tuck it away, place it in their memory corner, or even bury it under a tree or flower in their honor.

Do Something Kind in Their Name

Consider making a donation, planting a tree, volunteering at a local shelter, or even just being extra gentle with another animal or person who needs care. Acts of kindness can be a powerful way to move some of our grief into love-in-action.

It doesn’t have to be big. What matters is intention.

You’re Not Alone

Grieving a pet is real and valid. If you need support, I offer pet loss grief support groups through the Companion Animal Care & Support branch of Life and Death Services. You’re welcome just as you are, whether you feel overwhelmed, numb, angry, or just deeply sad.

If you're looking for additional resources, the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers a wealth of free support and information:
🌐 https://www.aplb.org

Please, be gentle with yourself. Grief isn’t something to fix, it’s something to carry with compassion. And the love you gave your pet? It still matters. It always will.

—with care,
Cinda