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Pet Memorial Ideas: 24 Ways to Remember a Dog, Cat or Other Beloved Companion

Pet loss · 8 min read · First published 2026 · Updated November 2026

A bouquet of pink and cream flowers above a stone marked In Loving Memory
Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash

There is no right or wrong way to honor an animal you loved. Some people want something to hold, some want something to plant, and some want to do something kind in their pet's name. You can do one thing or ten, now or a year from now.

This page is a menu. At the end is a short guide for friends who want to give a thoughtful gift to someone grieving a pet.

Key points

  • Memorials fall into a few kinds: things to keep (prints, jewelry, photo books), things to place (stones, trees, a bench), things to do (a donation, a small ceremony) and things to write or make.
  • Many people wait weeks or months before they know what feels right.
  • The best memorial is one that sounds like your pet. Think of what made them them.
  • If you are giving a gift to a grieving friend, a simple, personal gift that names their pet is almost always welcome.

Things to keep

1. A paw print or nose print. A clay impression or ink print is one of the most treasured keepsakes. Many veterinarians make one at the visit, and some in-home providers include it. If you didn't get one, ask your veterinarian or a local pet service whether it is still possible.

2. A lock of fur or a whisker. A small clipping in a little pouch, a locket or a frame. It is tiny, and it is real.

3. Their collar and tag. Hang the collar by the door, put it in a shadow box with a favorite photo, or tuck it in a drawer for now. The sound of the tag can be hard at first. Put it away if you need to.

4. A shadow box. Combine a photo, a collar, a toy, a paw print and a handwritten note in a frame to hang on the wall.

5. A photo book. Gather your favorite pictures, from the first week home to the last lazy afternoon. Ask friends and family to send theirs.

6. A framed portrait. An artist can paint or draw your pet from a photograph, in a style from realistic to whimsical. Many people find that a portrait captures their pet's expression in a way a photo doesn't.

7. Jewelry. A necklace, bracelet or ring that holds a tiny bit of ashes or fur, or is engraved with a paw print, a name or a nose print.

8. An ornament. A hanging ornament or small figure with your pet's name can come out each holiday season. Many families find comfort in having their pet "there" at the holidays.

9. Something made from their things. Some people turn a favorite blanket or a worn-out collar into a small pillow, quilt square or stuffed animal. If sewing isn't your thing, a friend or a local seamstress may offer.

Things to place

10. An urn or keepsake box. If you chose private cremation, you can keep the ashes in an urn, a wooden box or a decorative container. Small keepsake urns let family members share the ashes. See pet cremation guide for more on choosing.

11. A garden stone or marker. A painted rock, an engraved stone or a small plaque in the yard, in the spot where your pet used to nap. Cornell's veterinary college suggests one.

12. A tree, shrub or perennial. A living memorial grows more beautiful each year. A rose, a flowering shrub or a tree in a corner of the yard is a lovely choice. You can also plant something in a pot to take with you if you move.

13. A memory garden. A small bed with your pet's favorite spot, a few stones, plants that bring butterflies, and perhaps a bench. It gives you a place to sit and talk.

14. Ashes in a meaningful place. Scatter or bury them where your pet was happy, such as a favorite trail, a lake or a corner of the backyard. Check local rules first, and see pet cremation guide.

15. A bench or brick. Some parks, dog parks and shelters offer a memorial bench, tile or brick with your pet's name for a donation. Ask your local park or rescue.

Things to do

16. A donation in their name. Give to a local shelter, a rescue, a sanctuary, or a veterinary school fund that supports pet loss programs, in your pet's name. Many places will send a card to you or to the friends you name. Cornell's veterinary college suggests this, too.

17. Volunteer. Walk shelter dogs, sit with cats, or foster. Some people find that giving love to an animal who needs it eases their own ache. Wait until you feel ready, and don't feel pressured to adopt.

18. Bring something to a shelter. A pet's leftover food, blankets, leashes and toys are often welcomed by rescues and shelters. Keep anything you aren't ready to part with.

19. A small ceremony. Gather family and friends for a short farewell, in the yard, on a trail or in the living room. Light a candle, read a poem, share a favorite memory, play a song. Children often find ceremonies comforting.

20. An annual remembrance. Pick a day, such as the day they joined your family, their birthday, or the day they died, to light a candle, visit their spot, eat a treat they loved, or take a walk on their route.

Things to write or make

21. A letter to your pet. Tell them what you wish you had said, thank them for their gifts, ask forgiveness for anything you regret. Cornell's veterinary college suggests this as a way to say anything you felt was left unsaid.

22. A memory book or story. Write down the funny habits, the favorite sounds, the lucky escapes and the day you met. Ask others to add theirs. The little stories are the ones you'll be glad to have in five years.

23. A memory jar. Keep a jar and slips of paper, and drop in a memory whenever one comes to you. Read them on a hard day.

24. Art, music or a video. Paint, draw, write a song, or put together a slideshow with your favorite photos and a song they would have howled along to. You don't need to be talented. It's yours.

A simple gift guide for grieving friends

If someone you care about has just lost a pet, a small thoughtful gesture means a great deal. Grief over a pet is often brushed off by other people, which can make it lonelier. Simple acknowledgment is the best gift.

What tends to be welcome

  • A handwritten card that mentions the pet by name and a specific memory. See pet sympathy messages for words to borrow.
  • Flowers or a living plant that can go in the garden.
  • A framed photo or a custom portrait of their pet, if you have a good picture of them.
  • A memorial stone or garden marker with the pet's name.
  • A donation to a shelter or rescue in the pet's name, with a note to your friend.
  • A meal, a coffee or an offer to walk with them. Their routines have just changed.
  • A book for adults or children. See pet loss books.

What to avoid

  • Offering a new pet right away. A new animal is not a replacement, and your friend will decide when to open their heart again.
  • Phrases like "at least they lived a long life" or "it was just a cat." Say you are sorry and that you remember their pet.
  • Gifts that are mostly a way of saying "get over it." Something small and personal is better than something grand.

A few reminders

You can choose later. Many people find their memorial in the weeks and months after the loss. Keep the paw print in a drawer until you are ready to look at it.

You don't have to do it all. A single photo on your bedside table is a memorial too.

If memorial ideas make you cry, that is okay. Tears are part of loving them. For more support, see coping with the loss of a pet.

Sources

Written by Words to Comfort

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