Our pets play profound roles in our lives. They are part of the family, and losing one can be heartbreaking.
Whether you've already said goodbye to your pet or are preparing to, one way that pet parents deal with the grief is through memorials and keepsakes. From simple keychains to custom urns, pet parents have dozens of options when it comes to honoring your beloved companion.
And if physical tokens aren't your thing, there are plenty of other ways to honor your furry friend and the great life they lived.
7 ways to honor your pet at the end of their life
1. Ceremony
Many humans hold funerals for their loved ones, so who says you can't have a special ceremony for your pet? Gather your family and close friends and take some time to talk about your favorite memories with your pet. This can be emotionally healing for pet parents as well as help bring some closure.
2. Slideshow or scrapbook
There's probably not a pet parent out there who doesn't have hundreds—if not thousands—of pictures and videos of their pet. Put those to good use and create a slideshow or scrapbook of your pet's highlight reel.
Seeing all of those amazing memories reminds you of what an incredible life you gave your pet. And whenever you're missing your furry family member, you can play the slideshow or flip through the scrapbook and remember how loved you really made them feel.
3. Customized urn
There are plenty of companies out there that make customized urns for pets. This beautiful ceramic pet urn from Zuze Ceramics comes in gray and white and has your pet's name stamped on the front. Or you can opt for a wooden box that has a space for a pet picture, like this pet memory box from Cades and Birch.
4. Custom keychain
Marketplaces like Etsy also have hundreds of pet keychain options. This option from Bijoun Boutique creates a beautiful engraved version of one of your pet photos—and you can choose from sterling silver and titanium metal to get the look you want. If you want to go for something a little more abstract, this pet keychain features a silhouette of your breed and their name. Choose from one of the eight pre-made breeds or send a picture of your dog to the seller to get a custom one.
Whenever you start your engine or unlock your front door, you'll smile thinking about your furry friend.
5. Personalized pillow
Your pet was a huge part of your home. So why not put a custom pillow in their favorite spot on the couch or right on your bed so you see it every day? Opt for a full body pet pillow from an Etsy shop like Rarton, or choose a more traditional, square-shaped option from a seller like Mod Paws US. This customized pet pillow comes in 10 different colors and has the option to add your pet's name.
6. Preserved paw print
If you know you only have a small amount of time left with your beloved pet, you may opt to preserve their paw print paw using ink or simple salt dough. If you choose ink on paper, you can scan the print so family members have a special keepsake, too. This is an easy, low-cost way to honor your pet at the end of their life.
7. Jewelry
From necklaces and earrings to bracelets and rings, there are plenty of jewelry options out there that commemorate your pet in special way. You can go custom with a bracelet featuring your pet's name, or opt for something simpler and get a breed-inspired necklace.
No matter how you choose to honor your pet at the end of their life, nothing tops the incredible memories you made and can cherish forever.