Every year, pet lovers across the country pause for National Pet Memorial Day—the second Sunday in September—to honor the animals who filled our lives with unconditional love, joy, and companionship. It’s a day to celebrate all pets from all time—whether furry, feathered, scaled, or shelled, and whether their loss was decades ago or just yesterday.
National Pet Memorial Day provides a unique opportunity to honor our pets in a new way. Unlike birthdays or the anniversary of a pet’s passing—which can feel difficult to face, or may not even be known—this day gives all pet lovers a shared time to remember. It can be especially meaningful for families who have loved many pets over the years, allowing them to honor all their companions together. And because the celebration is national, there is a sense of connection: a reminder that we are not alone in our grief or in our love.
Rituals can be a way to mark National Pet Memorial Day. Rituals give us a way to process experiences and hold space for our emotions. Across cultures and throughout history, traditions around loss have provided comfort by bringing structure to grief. Our brains respond positively to that repetition and familiarity, finding reassurance in simple acts that invite remembrance.
Here are 5 meaningful rituals to mark National Pet Memorial Day and honor your pets.
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1. Honor Through Everyday Acts
New traditions don’t always have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler they are, the more likely you will carry them forward. Small, intentional acts can make the day feel meaningful. Consider starting these simple rituals:
- Display your pet's urn in a centrally located place in your home, and surround it with personal touches such as flowers.
- Prepare a special meal—perhaps even cooking the foods your pet used to beg for.
- Display their framed photos or a digital slideshow.
- Play a song that reminds you of them. Popular choices include “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (various artists), "All Dogs Go To Heaven" by Chris Young, and “Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats.
- Light a candle in their honor. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to honor a pet is with a candle or a tealight urn. Tealight urns have a candle feature and can hold ashes or other items such as collars, tags, locks of hair, and even small toys.
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2. Return to Their Special Place
Many people find comfort in visiting the places their pets loved or where special memories were made. Consider a favorite trail, a sunbathing spot, or the lake where they splashed. You could plant flowers or a tree that will bloom in their memory, or leave behind a small token such as a painted stone.
3. Get Creative
Artistic expression provides a beautiful outlet for grief, and making something with your hands can be surprisingly healing. You don’t need to be an artist to honor your pet—homemade, imperfect, and heartfelt projects often hold the most meaning. Try one of these simple, approachable crafts:
- Write a letter or poem about your pet and place a new one in a tealight urn each year.
- Make a scrapbook or memory box filled with photos, favorite toys, or keepsakes.
- Create a holiday ornament in their honor to bring out each season.
- Paint or decorate a picture frame to hold a favorite photo.
- Paint or decorate a stone for your garden as a simple outdoor memorial.
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4. Carry Them With You
Cremation jewelry can help keep a pet close in daily life. While pawprint designs are a classic choice, many people opt for simple, timeless pieces from our main collection. Just like tealights, cremation jewelry can hold items other than ashes, such as a pinch of fur or grains of sand from a favorite beach.
5. Celebrate Together
National Pet Memorial Day is the perfect occasion to connect with other pet lovers in your community. Share your tribute online using #nationalpetmemorialday, invite family and friends to honor with you, volunteer at a local shelter, or donate in a pet’s name. All of these are great ways to honor your beloved pet’s legacy.
A Lasting Bond
Our pets never truly leave us. National Pet Memorial Day is not just about looking back, it’s about continuing the bond you’ll always have. Our companions leave lasting marks on our hearts, shaping our lives long after their time on earth has ended. Memorializing them—through tealights, personal rituals, or simple acts of remembrance—is a way of keeping that love alive. On this day, and on every day that follows, we honor the animals who gave us so much.