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Sunday, September 11, 2022 is National Pet Memorial Day.
Is it appropriate, you may ask, for people to memorialize a cherished companion animal?
Some may think that conducting rituals, funerals or memorial services for dead animals – and setting aside special days to remember them – is a frivolous waste of time and money, and those who engage in such practices must be eccentric and strange.
But the fact is that elaborate funeral arrangements and lasting memorials have been used to honor beloved departed pets for thousands of years.
Whether for animals or humans, death ceremonies and rituals help meet our needs to support one another in grief, acknowledge the important role our loved ones played in our lives, honor the memory of our departed companions, and bring meaning to our loss.
The International Association of Pet Cemeteries has designated the second Sunday of September as National Pet Memorial Day. As you think about paying tribute to your animal companion on that special day (or any day of your choosing), feel free to summon up your memories – they'll comfort you and help you keep your animal's love and presence in your heart. You can think of what was special about your pet, and reminisce with family members or others who knew your friend. Look over old snapshots. Talk about the funny or silly (or annoying!) habits your pet had. Such reflections will help you plan your own unique ceremony of remembrance, and will help you express and work through your grief as well. You can make a special place in your home, yard or workplace that acknowledges and honors your companion's life – a place where you can go (or be) and remember your lost friend. Don't be afraid to be creative. The death of your pet is a natural event and an occasion for the honest expression of your feelings and your values.
National Pet Memorial Day
You can honor your pet's memory in whatever way you find meaningful, and I invite you to use the Comments space below to share with all of us some of the creative and individual ways you plan to celebrate National Pet Memorial Day this year.
But the fact is that elaborate funeral arrangements and lasting memorials have been used to honor beloved departed pets for thousands of years.
Whether for animals or humans, death ceremonies and rituals help meet our needs to support one another in grief, acknowledge the important role our loved ones played in our lives, honor the memory of our departed companions, and bring meaning to our loss.
The International Association of Pet Cemeteries has designated the second Sunday of September as National Pet Memorial Day. As you think about paying tribute to your animal companion on that special day (or any day of your choosing), feel free to summon up your memories – they'll comfort you and help you keep your animal's love and presence in your heart. You can think of what was special about your pet, and reminisce with family members or others who knew your friend. Look over old snapshots. Talk about the funny or silly (or annoying!) habits your pet had. Such reflections will help you plan your own unique ceremony of remembrance, and will help you express and work through your grief as well. You can make a special place in your home, yard or workplace that acknowledges and honors your companion's life – a place where you can go (or be) and remember your lost friend. Don't be afraid to be creative. The death of your pet is a natural event and an occasion for the honest expression of your feelings and your values.
National Pet Memorial Day
You can honor your pet's memory in whatever way you find meaningful, and I invite you to use the Comments space below to share with all of us some of the creative and individual ways you plan to celebrate National Pet Memorial Day this year.
Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.
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© by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT, BC-TMH
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