If you have had a pet pass away recently, then you know that it can feel like you've lost a member of your family. You may have had your pet for years, and they were always by your side as you moved from one phase of life to the next. 

As their life comes to a close, you may be considering how you can best honor their memory. Here are a few ways that you can create a funeral service for your pet that will help you to reflect on the time that you spent together.

1. Consider the Tone

Everyone grieves differently. Would you like the funeral to be a place where people can share lighthearted memories of your pet, or do you want to stick to a predictable ceremony? You can select poems or songs that match the experience that you are trying to create with the funeral service.

2. Selects Photos or Videos

Consider picking a few photos or a video of your pet with some of your favorite moments. Were they present at your wedding? Or did they jump right in the pool with your kids every summer break?

Encourage friends and family to select snapshots of your pet that illustrate how connected they were to your daily life.

3. Create an Invitation List

Was your vet there during a long course of illness for your pet, perhaps helping to extend and improve their quality of life for as long as possible? If so, you may consider inviting them to celebrate your pet's life and thank them at the ceremony for doing everything that they could.

4. Personal Beliefs

You may want to include a minister to share a reading with your friends and family as you all come together to process the loss of your pet.

5. Artwork

If you have children, sometimes one of the best ways for them to make sense of losing their pet is to express themselves creatively. Encourage them to draw a picture of their pet and ask if they would be okay with it being displayed at the funeral service.

Remember that there are many ways to cherish the memory of your pet, you don't need to do everything by the book if you don't want to. If you would like some help with planning a funeral service for your pet, contact a funeral planner for professional advice and guidance.