How to Conduct a Pet's Funeral

The death of a beloved pet affects the family in a way which is shared almost universally. For children, the death of a pet may be their first experience in confronting the death of a loved one, in particular, and mortality in general. Like adults, children find reassurance in the enacting of communal rituals, and therefore pet funerals are as common as they are healthy. Services for small pets like fish or gerbils can be conducted at home with little fuss.

Steps

1. Allow the child to select an appropriate "coffin" for the deceased pet. You can view our full range of Pet Coffins here.
   
2. Have family members gather together somberly, with the child who assumed primary responsibility for the pet assuming the role of minister.
3. Say a eulogy praising the pet's qualities. Members of the family may also share significant personal memories of the pet at this time.
4. Offer some sort of prayer.
5. Bury the pet's coffin in a flower bed or restful area of the backyard.

Tips

• Allow your child to design the service as much as possible, You may be surprised at your child's sensitivity and emotion.
• Do not buy your child a another pet immediately. Everyone needs time to mourn.
• Even single adults can find solace in a pet funeral. Don't let your friends or relatives make you feel bad because you treat your animal companions with respect and mourn their passing!

Warnings

• Parents, use good judgment: if some older siblings are too "cool" to take a pet funeral seriously, do not force them to participate as their demeanor may negatively impact the children mourning.
• It's a good idea to remember where these pets have ended up buried so that you will not inadvertently disturb their remains. No one wants to find the skeleton of a guinea pig when he or she is planting tulip bulbs!

Related wikiHows

• How to Cope With Losing a Pet
• How to Overcome the Loss of a Pet
• How to Travel With a Small Pet
• How to Help Your Animals Live Longer Lives
• How to Travel With Your Pets

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