After years of memorable afternoon walks and bedtime cuddles, you and your pet will have formed an unshakable bond. When they pass away, you may feel like you’ve lost a family member. If you’re unsure how to process your grief for your pet, you’re not alone. From bereavement groups to pet headstones, use these tips to work through your mourning.

3 Tips for Grieving for Your Pet

1. Talk to Friends & Family

You spent years with your pet by your side, day and night. Going about your day without them can feel strange and lonely at first, so reach out to friends and family members. Perhaps your friend went for walks with you and your dog every weekend, or your mother has a cat of her own that she couldn’t imagine life without. Confide in them about your grief, or ask if you can spend some time with their pets. If your loved ones are unavailable, turn to pet bereavement groups for online help.

2. Transition Slowly

While grieving, take it easy on yourself. Ask for a few days off of work, so you can spend some time processing the news. Don’t worry about getting rid of your pet’s belongings all at once—it may be easier to say goodbye to their objects one at a time.

Start by storing their food and water bowls under the sink, and move their bed to a room you don’t frequent as often. In a few weeks, you might be ready to stow their ID tag in a keepsake box or donate their bed to a local shelter.

3. Memorialize Your Pet

The best way to honor a loved one who has passed away is to commemorate their time on earth. Look back on the times you spent with your best friend, and use these memories to memorialize them. Maybe you find joy in writing about your best beach days and car rides, or perhaps you’d like to commission a painting of your beloved Persian. You can also put together a memorial service, complete with a pet headstone, a slideshow of pictures and videos, and heartfelt speeches from friends. 

If you're hoping to memorialize your dog or cat with a personalized pet headstone, reach out to Hawaii Art Stone. They help area residents commemorate the joyful lives of their pets by creating lasting monuments out of granite, copper, brass, and glass. To learn more about their plaques and grave markers, visit the website. You can also call (808) 744-3162 to discuss your design for an engraved pet headstone.