12 Ways To Memorialize a Pet
Losing a pet is never easy. They’re not just animals; they’re part of our family, our best friends, our confidants. We miss their wagging tails, their purring sounds, and their comforting presence. Keeping their memory alive is an important part of the healing process, so it’s common for owners to memorialize a pet.
Finding the best ways to memorialize a pet shouldn’t be an added stressor to your healing process. That’s why Impact Signs knows how to commemorate a pet and the bond you two shared. These heartfelt tributes are a wonderful way to pay homage to your cherished pet and keep their spirit alive.
1. Pet memorial plaque
In the aftermath of a pet’s passing, the world may seem a little less bright. The laughter and joy they brought into our lives leave a void that can be hard to fill. A pet memorial plaque is a lasting tribute to that bright spot they made in our lives, serving as a lasting tribute to the unique bond shared between pet and owner.
No matter where you put a memorial plaque, each one stands as a loving testament to you and your pet’s unbreakable bond, embodying the enduring love and sentiment. Each plaque serves as a celebration of a life well-lived, filled with play, affection, and companionship, preserving your pet’s legacy in a touching and beautiful manner.
2. Create a memory garden
Another way of memorializing your pet is by creating a memory garden in your home. Having a dedicated space in your home for your lost pet is a great way to mourn and remember them. Even better is that it’s a fairly simple thing to make that can also be space-conscious. Here’s how:
- Choose a spot: Select an area where the garden will go, like their sleeping area or favorite spot in the yard. If you have an apartment, you can choose their sleeping area or dedicate a shelf for the garden.
- Make a plan: First, decide on a budget and then figure out where you’d like to put everything, including plants, pots, stones, and even a memorial plaque or sign.
- Plant the garden: Once you have everything together, begin planting everything. Invite your loved ones over to help so they can also be a part of this process.
Whether you buried your pet or kept their ashes in an urn, the memorial garden acts as their final resting place. Not only are you able to visit them every day, but you can do so while cherishing their memories. Add a garden plaque with your pet’s name and add their photograph to complete the memorial.
3. Personalized keepsakes
A creative way of memorializing your pet is by having a personalized keepsake or item. This can be anything from a mug with a picture of your pet to a commissioned piece of art or something that holds your pet’s fur or ashes. For a stylish unique keepsake, consider a memorial plaque featuring their image.
Having a personalized item of your pet is a great way to remember all the good times you had together. It’s a way to have something of their likeness and keep them close to you.
4. Create a digital memorial
In today’s world, you aren’t limited to the real world. You can create a digital memorial of your dearly departed pet filled with the memories you cherish. Get the best of the real and digital worlds by adding a QR code to a memorial plaque that links to a digital memorial.
If you’re new to getting a tattoo, make sure to do plenty of research. Choosing an artist who understands your vision and respects the memory of your beloved animal is important.
5. Preserve their pawprint
Another meaningful way to remember your furry friend is by preserving their paw print. For this strategy, it’s better to plan ahead and have a mold or print of the paw already in place.
Some veterinarian offices offer this service, or you can DIY it with ink and paper. In either case, once you have a mold of their print, you can create a bas relief plaque of their print to create a timeless piece that you will cherish forever.
6. Plant a tree along your favorite walking route
If you and your pet used to have a favorite walking route, you can plant a tree on that route in their memory. This way, you can continue going for walks and remember the good times you two had together on your favorite route.
Consider adding a memorial plaque with your pet’s name mentioning how the path was a favorite walking spot so anyone walking with their pets can read. Don’t forget to check with your local municipality to see if there’s a permit or form you need to sign before planting a tree.
7. Create a photo plaque of you and your pet
Take your favorite photo of you and your pet to the next level with a photo plaque. Include a favorite memory of your furbaby or add pertinent information like their age or breed to personalize the plaque further.
Make the photo more lifelike with a bronze bas relief plaque. These plaques include a raised sculpture based on your photo to capture the subtle aura of your beloved pet.
Display these proudly in your home as art or install them in their favorite garden.
8. Give to animals in need
Consider honoring your pets’ memory through a goodwill gesture by giving back to other animals in need. Some animal shelters or rescue organizations honor donors or memorialize pets with donor plaques and donor walls in public spaces such as walls or walkways.
In either case, donating to causes that help other animals find their forever homes in your pets’ name is a noble gesture that is sure to spread goodwill.
9. Get a tattoo
Like true millennial fashion, a tattoo is a great way to memorialize your pet and keep them close to you forever. Many tattoo artists can provide realistic portraits of your pet to honor your bond. If a lifelike portrait isn’t to your liking, then getting their name tattooed is just as good.
10. Stuffed animal replica
For people who wish to hold their pet, having a stuffed replica of your pet is a sweet way of having something tangible to hold after they’ve passed. If you had a cat or a dog, you could put their collar on the stuffed animal so you can always hold and remember them.
Some companies can even add recordings of their “meows” or “woofs” so you can always remember how they sounded when you came home.
11. Dedicate a bench at their favorite dog park
If your dog used to love going to the dog park, consider dedicating a bench in their name. Put their name on a park bench memorial plaque for any dog park goers to go and rest on, giving back to the place you both loved to play at.
12. Commission custom artwork
Sometimes, the best way to remember your beloved companion is by commissioning custom artwork of them. Whether they were a cute dog or a loving spider, a beautiful work of art you can hang could be just what you need to remember the good times. Add a small sign to hang under the artwork for that extra special cherry on top.
Memorialize your pet with a bronze plaque
No matter how you honor your pet’s memory, one additional way to memorialize them can work on its own or in addition to the other methods. Creating a bronze memorial plaque is a timeless and elegant way to recognize the connection you and your pet had.
Whether you have a shadow box, donated a tree, or a portrait of your pet, a bronze plaque with their name and a special quote is the final touch to their memory. It lets everyone read and see how special they were in your life. With Impact Signs, you can get a custom quote for your memorial bronze plaque.
FAQ about bronze pet memorial plaques
If you’re memorializing your pet with a bronze plaque, there are a few things you may have questions about. We’ve compiled a list of the most common questions we’ve received.
Are there any special care instructions for maintaining the quality of a bronze pet memorial plaque over time?
With bronze plaque maintenance, a good rule of thumb is to keep it simple. Use a soft brush to dust it and then a soft or microfiber towel with mild soap and warm water to routinely clean it. Bronze is notoriously durable and corrosion-resistant on its own, so using any harsh chemicals can remove some of its luster.
What is the typical cost range for a bronze photo relief or etched photo on a pet memorial plaque?
A bronze plaque costs $200 to $2000, depending on size and other features. Adding a photo is an additional cost of $100 up to $850, depending on whether the photo is printed, etched, or in relief.
Is there a limit to how much text can be included on a pet memorial plaque?
There is a limit to what can fit on a plaque depending on the size of the plaque and whether you’re looking to add a picture. We can help with spacing and layout so everything comes out perfectly.
What should I put on a pet memorial plaque?
Finding the right words or memorial phrases to inscribe on your pet’s memorial plaque may seem overwhelming, but remember to try and keep it simple. Start with the name; sometimes that’s all you need.
You can follow this with a heartfelt sentiment that communicates your deep affection for them like, “A treasured companion, never to be forgotten,” or “Forever paw prints on our hearts.” The intention here is to capture the love and respect you feel for your pet.
Breathing life into your pet’s memory with the inclusion of a photo is a deeply poignant way to honor your pet’s memory. This could be a bronze photo relief plaque or an etched photo, each offering a different aesthetic appeal. This visual element adds an intimate, personal touch, transforming the plaque into a tangible memory of your pet’s life.
So, as you embark on this journey of commemorating your pet’s memory, think of a photo that best encapsulates their spirit. The photo is not just an image; it’s a story, a moment frozen in time, a testament to your pet’s irreplaceable place in your heart.
Knowing how to memorialize your pet should be a memorable experience. Remembering the good times and honoring their memory is what’s important. Talk to us, and we can do all the hard work. Let us know what you’d like on your memorial plaque, and we can do the rest.