Pets often become an integral part of people’s lives and families, so when they pass away, the grief is sharp and deep, and it doesn’t end with pet cremation or burial. Undoubtedly, you want to do everything you can to comfort a loved one who has recently lost a pet. Although grief must be processed naturally and at your loved one’s own pace, your role can be simplified to a few simple tasks.

3 Ways to Support a Friend Grieving a Pet

• Let Them Direct the Conversation: There may be moments when they want to talk about their heartbreak over the pet cremation or favorite memories of the animal. Other times, they may want to say nothing at all. Follow their lead. When they are talking, don’t judge, compare, interject, or try to think of the “right” things to say, because they don’t exist. Just be there, tell them that it’s okay to grieve, cry with them if you’d like, hug them if you’re both comfortable with that, and respect their feelings. They can also call the pet loss support hotline at (877) 474-3310. 

• Help Them Remember: Gently make suggestions about ways that they could memorialize their pet, such as keeping an engraved urn with their ashes after the pet cremation. Perhaps they’d prefer smaller keepsakes, such as a necklace, keychain, figurine, framed photo, or photo album. Maybe they’d like to start a ritual honoring the pet, like visiting a favorite play spot on a certain day every month. Make a donation in the pet’s name to a charity or support organization dedicated to helping animals.

• Check Up On Them: Drop by their home or send them a message occasionally. Let them know that you’re thinking about them and ask if they need anything, even if it’s just someone to listen. Make sure that they’re eating and taking care of themselves. If they state or imply that they are suicidal, tell a mental health professional and ask your loved one to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. 

Knowing how much pets mean to their owners, Char Mac Pet Cremation in Cincinnati, OH is dedicated to compassionately helping pet owners come to terms with their loss. They offer a wide variety of keepsakes, urns, and grave markers to memorialize anyone’s beloved pet. For more information, call (513) 851-5791 or explore the many beautiful options available on their website.