Pets are an enormous part of your family, so their loss can be extremely difficult. After your beloved friend has passed, memorializing their life with a monument or artwork can help you grieve and begin the healing process. Below are a few tips for celebrating a family pet who’s passed away.

How to Memorialize a Beloved Pet

1. Commission a Portrait

A watercolor or oil painting can bring back memories and maintain a connection to the pet you still love. Many artists specialize in creating pet portraits in a variety of styles and mediums at a wide range of prices. A piece of art can last a lifetime and may make you smile every time you look at it.

2. Find a Pet Cemetary

If local regulations allow, you may want to bury your pet on your own property. However, many places don’t allow this, so a pet cemetery may be a good option. Pet cemeteries provide a beautiful place for you to visit your pet and a variety of memorial options. For instance, you might choose to plant a memorial garden or design a stone monument for your beloved pet.

3. Organize a Memorial Service

You might feel self-conscious about holding a memorial service for your pets, but this practice is increasingly common. A memorial service gives your friends and family members a chance to gather in support and share their own memories. Reminiscing about feeding your dog scraps at Thanksgiving dinner or the time your cat knocked over the Christmas tree can help you rediscover some of the joy your pet brought to your family.

4. Create a Memory Book

Like most pet owners, you likely have hundreds of photos and videos on your phone of your animal’s life. You may also have their first collar, their favorite toy, and other mementos with sentimental value.

A memory book can be a fantastic way to collect your pet’s spirit into an object that can be displayed on your coffee table. Many publishers print photo books, or you can make your own scrapbook, incorporating pieces of their favorite blankets and other items your pet loved.

Since 1973, Tri-County Memorials has provided custom, hand-crafted monuments to grieving families across eastern Connecticut. If your pet has passed away, their craftsmen will ensure that your tender memories never fade. Visit their website to learn more about their monument creation services, or call (860) 443-8744 to reach their location in Waterford. To speak with someone in Norwich, call (860) 886-6200, or dial (860) 456-8658 for their Willimantic location.