Remembering a pet
Pet memorial ideas: 20 ways to remember a dog or cat
The best pet memorial ideas are small things you can return to: an ofrenda with their photo and water bowl, a plant that blooms every year, a keepsake with their paw print, a video to share with family, or a donation in their name. Here are 20 ideas, from Day of the Dead traditions to everyday rituals.
Updated
At home
Make a pet ofrenda
A small altar with their photo, water bowl, a favorite toy, marigolds and a candle. Set it up for the Day of the Dead for pets on October 27, or keep a simple version all year. How to make one.
Keep a memory shelf
Their collar, tag, a favorite toy and one framed photo on a shelf you pass every day.
Light a candle on their day
Pick a date that matters — their birthday, the day they came home, October 27 — and light a candle every year.
Frame their paw print
Many vets offer a clay or ink paw print. Frame it next to a photo, or turn it into a print for the wall.
Write them a letter
Tell them what you miss and what you are grateful for. Read it aloud, keep it in a box, or place it on their ofrenda.
In the garden or outdoors
Plant something in their name
A tree, a rose bush or a bed of marigolds that blooms every autumn. Check that the plant is safe for any living pets.
Place a memorial stone
A garden stone with their name and a short line. See our pet loss quotes for ideas.
Walk their favorite route
Take the walk you always took together on their anniversary. Many people find it more comforting than they expected.
Scatter marigold petals
On October 27, lay a path of petals from your door to their photo — the Day of the Dead way of guiding them home.
Keepsakes
A portrait or illustration
Commission a painting or illustration from a favorite photo.
Jewelry or a keychain
A charm with their name or paw print, or a locket with a tuft of fur.
A memory box
Their collar, a toy, the tag, a photo strip, the vet’s sympathy card. Open it when you want to remember.
A blanket or pillow from their photos
Printed photo blankets and pillows are easy to order and comforting to hold.
Digital tributes
A memorial video
Turn one photo into a short video you can share with family. Our Day of the Dead pet memorial video shows your pet walking home on a marigold path, beside a candlelit ofrenda, or led by a Xolo guide. Free preview.
A photo album or slideshow
Gather the best photos from everyone’s phones into one shared album.
A memorial post
Share a favorite photo and a story about them. Friends who knew them often reply with memories of their own.
A printable memorial card
Our free memorial card maker puts their photo, name and dates on a Day of the Dead card you can download and print.
Give back in their name
Donate to a shelter
A donation, or a bag of food and blankets, to a local rescue in their name.
Volunteer
Walk dogs or socialize cats at a shelter. Many people say it helps them grieve.
Pass on their things
Give unused food, beds and toys to a rescue or a family that needs them.
Remembering them on October 27
In Mexico, October 27 is the day pets who have died are said to come home. Families set out a photo, fresh water, a favorite treat and marigolds to welcome them. You do not need to be Mexican or religious to take part: it is simply one day a year set aside to remember them. Start with our Day of the Dead for pets guide, or read the Rainbow Bridge poem and its Day of the Dead companion.
Frequently asked questions
What is a nice way to remember a pet?
Something you can return to: a photo and candle on a shelf, a plant in the garden, or a yearly ritual on their birthday or on October 27, the Day of the Dead for pets.
What can I do with my pet’s things after they die?
Keep one or two favorites in a memory box or on their ofrenda, and donate unused food, beds and toys to a local shelter.
Is it normal to grieve a pet this much?
Yes. Pets are part of daily life for years, and losing one can hurt as much as losing a person. If grief feels overwhelming, many vets and humane societies run pet-loss support lines and groups.