For many children, the loss of a pet is the first real experience they have with death. While preparing a pet headstone is one way to assuage grief, your child will likely need more guidance in coping with these unfamiliar feelings. Here are a few ways to help them through this difficult time. 

4 Tips for Helping Your Child Grieve a Departed Pet 

1. Hold a Service 

A funeral is a beautiful way to commemorate the life of your pet and allow your child to say goodbye. Let them choose a spot for a casket as well as a pet headstone for the burial. Have everyone in your family give a short eulogy, bringing up happy memories or lessons you’re all grateful to have learned from being the pet’s caretakers. 

2. Keep Mementos 

Don’t throw away all of your pet’s toys, collars, leashes, or other significant items. Let your child hold on to them as mementos. Perhaps they’ll want to store the belongings in a prominent place in their room or even sleep with them at night. It will help your child feel close to their pet until they’re ready to let go of their grief. 

3. Create Tributes 

Print some photographs of your pet, frame them, and set them in a special place in your home, whether it’s a family mantel or the entrance hall. You can also put together a video with a slideshow or videos of your pet, so your child can watch it anytime they’d like.

Have your child write down their favorite memories of their pet in a scrapbook alongside more pictures. If your child likes crafting, have them create ornaments or figurines with photos or designs matching the pet headstone. Making these tributes will help your child work through their feelings.

4. Read Together 

There are a number of books about grieving for children of all ages, including those specifically about losing pets; for example, “The Rainbow Bridge” by Niki Behrikis Shanahan, “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney” by Judith Viorst, and “I’ll Always Love You” by Hans Wilhelm. Spend time reading and discussing them with your child. 

As you arrange the funeral service for your child’s beloved pet, contact Hawaii Art Stone for a beautiful and thoughtful pet headstone. Located in Honolulu, HI, these stonework experts offer all kinds of grave markers as well as custom headstones made with laser technology and durable materials like copper, brass, and glass. To get started, call them today at (808) 744-3162 or message them online.