Memorial & Remembrance · September 15, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Create a Meaningful Pet Memorial
People often postpone making a memorial because they're afraid of getting it wrong. There isn't a wrong version. What follows is simply the order that most people find easiest.
1. Choose the photo before the product
Look for the photo that sounds like them, not the most flattering one. The slightly silly one is often right.
2. Decide on wording — or none
Name only, name and dates, or a short line. Blank is a legitimate choice, and you can always add an engraved plaque later.
3. Pick where it will live
A hallway you pass daily feels different from a bedside table. Choose the placement first and let it determine the size of the piece.
4. Choose one central piece, then smaller ones
Typically a framed portrait or canvas as the anchor, then a wearable keepsake or an ornament that comes out each year.
5. Give everyone a role
If it's a family pet, let each person contribute: the photo, the wording, where it hangs, who lights the candle on the anniversary.