Pet loss

Pet memorial ideas: 20 ways to remember your dog or cat

Ways to honor a pet at home, in the garden, with keepsakes and with family, including ideas for children and for cats, who leave the quietest gaps of all.

By LoveFrame Studio · November 7, 2026 · 7 min read

A golden retriever looking out over the clouds, a still from Biscuit's memorial film

There's no right way to remember a pet. Some people want something to look at every day; others want a small ritual, or something to do with their hands. These 20 ideas range from free to keepsake, and from quiet to shared with the whole family. Choose what feels like them, and like you.

At home

  1. A memory corner. A shelf with their photo, collar, favorite toy and a candle.
  2. Frame their collar and tag with a photo in a shadow box.
  3. Keep their spot. Many people leave the bed or blanket where it was for a while. That's fine.
  4. A photo book of their life, from the first day to the last.
  5. A memory jar. Everyone in the house writes down one memory a day for a week.

In the garden

  1. Plant something. A tree, a rose bush, or a patch of flowers in the color of their collar.
  2. A memorial stone with their name, by the spot where they liked to lie in the sun.
  3. A bench or chair on their favorite walk, or at the window they watched from.

Keepsakes

  1. A paw print or nose print. Many vets and pet crematories offer clay or ink prints; ask before the appointment if you can.
  2. A lock of fur in a small locket or vial.
  3. A custom portrait, painted or illustrated from your favorite photo.
  4. A short memorial video of their life, set to music. Here's how to make one yourself.
  5. Jewelry or a keychain with their name, so you carry them with you.

With others

  1. A small goodbye. Gather the family, share one story each, play their video or look through photos together.
  2. Walk their route. One more time, with the people who walked it with you.
  3. Donate in their name to a local shelter, or donate their unopened food and toys.
  4. Foster or volunteer when you're ready. Many people find it helps, but there's no timeline.

For children

  1. Draw or write a letter to their pet. Keep it in the memory box.
  2. A storybook or video of their pet's life. Many parents find the idea of the Rainbow Bridge, a peaceful place where pets run free, helps young children understand.

For cats

  1. Honor their spots. Cats live in places: the windowsill, the radiator, the top of the fridge, the box. A small photo or plant in their favorite spot is a quiet way to keep them there.

A note on grief

Grief for a pet is real grief, and it doesn't follow a schedule. If you're supporting someone else through it, here's what to write in a card. And if you'd like a film of your pet's life, made from your photos and memories, we can make one in 48 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What are good ways to memorialize a pet?

A memory corner with their photo and collar, planting a tree or flowers, a paw print keepsake, a photo book or memorial video, a donation to a shelter in their name, or a small family goodbye.

How do you memorialize a cat?

Many people honor a cat's favorite spots, like the windowsill or a sunny corner, with a photo or plant, and keep a collar, a paw print or a lock of fur as a keepsake.

How can I help my child remember our pet?

Let them draw or write a letter to their pet, look at photos or a memorial video together, and keep their drawings in a memory box. The Rainbow Bridge idea helps many young children.