Paying tribute to your pet after their passing
Losing a pet means losing a member of the family. Unlike human grief, the grief of losing a pet is often minimised by those around us, which can make it even harder to get through. Yet there are simple gestures that help you accept the loss and keep a place for your companion's memory.
Allow yourself time to feel the sadness
The first step is often to allow yourself time to feel the sadness without guilt. We've gathered some practical pointers to help you get through this period, including how pet grief can show up differently depending on the person and the bond they shared with their companion.
Resources to support you
Beyond practical advice, many resources exist to help through this stage. The site En Paix, for example, offers content dedicated specifically to pet grief. There you can find their homepage, as well as a full guide on pet grief, which covers the different stages of this journey in detail and offers concrete ways to move forward.
Concrete rituals to say goodbye
Beyond words, certain gestures help mark this passage and make the absence feel less overwhelming. Depending on where your companion's ashes or remains rest, you might choose a small memorial plaque, plant a flower or shrub in their name, or keep an urn alongside a visible photo. There's no single right way to do this: some prefer something quiet and personal, others a moment shared with family, children included. Lighting a virtual candle on Fidèle pour la vie, day after day, is another simple way to carry this ritual forward, wherever you are.
Keeping a memory: different ways to pay tribute
Paying tribute to your pet can take many forms: a ritual, a place of remembrance, or even a digital space to gather photos and memories. That is exactly what we offer with creating a memorial page, a simple, private (or public, if you prefer) place to keep your companion's memory alive, alone or with family.