4 supportive grief ceremonies for pet loss
There are so few places where the grief from pet loss is truly understood. And when the world seems strangely unchanged as it moves forward, while your heart is raw, open, and vulnerable, it can be really hard to take the needed time to tend to your grief.
Here are four ways to create space for your grief, honor the life you shared, and begin tending to your heart.
Dear Intuitive One,
You don't have to push through your grief.
You don't have to rush to feel better or move on.
The death of a pet is a substantial loss. And for empathic and intuitive people, being able to connect with their spirit after they have passed is a wonderful thing. But that doesn't make the physical loss any less real: the loss of their body, their snuggles, their physical companionship, and their presence that has been woven into your routines and everyday life for years.
There is no timeline for this kind of grief, and there is no right way to do it.
But creating intentional space for your grief can help you tend to your heart and honor the love shared between you and your animal friend.
Here are four ceremonies to work with in your time of grief and loss…
4 supportive ceremonies for tending grief from pet loss
There are so few places where pet loss grief is truly understood and normalized. These four simple ceremonies are invitations to slow down, honor the life you shared, and create space to grieve.
1. Spend time in a place that your pet loved
The beauty of this ceremony is that it isn’t elaborate. It’s about giving yourself time and space to feel your feelings and connect with your pet and the places they loved most.
It can be as simple as hiking the trail you spent hours on with your dog, or lying down to cloud watch in the same sunny backyard spot your pet loved spending the afternoon.
As you do, notice what comes up for you and just be with it. Tears may come or they may not. Give yourself permission to grieve in whatever ways feel natural to you. Talk to your animal in your heart. You can even take a moment to thank this place for holding space for you and your pet and helping to create so many wonderful memories.
2. Create a pet loss altar
This ceremony helps by giving your grief a physical place to live so you don’t have to carry it all on your own.
A pet loss altar can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You can place a colorful scarf over a dresser or repurpose a corner shelf. You can even turn their food dish into a simple altar by floating a few fresh flowers in the bowls that once held their favorite meals.
Pet altars can include anything that feels meaningful for you and helps you connect with the love you shared with your pet, including photographs, collars, toys, candles, fresh flowers, or even uneaten biscuits they didn’t get the chance to eat.
You may need to tend to this altar for weeks, months, or even years. You may find that what you need to place there changes as your grief changes. Something that feels too painful to look at today might feel comforting later.
Follow your intuition as to what you need support holding space for and when things need to be moved, removed, or tended.
3. Write a love letter to your pet
This ceremony can be part love letter and part intuitive animal communication.
Take out a pen and paper and write to your animal. Address them by name.
Write out the things you didn't get to say.
Your regrets.
What you learned from them.
Tell them about the things they helped you overcome, heal, and take accountability for.
You can also just tell them about your day and how much you wish they were there.
Tell them you love them.
If you are moved, as you write, think about your pet and lean into the love that you shared with them. There is no one right way to do this. Listen inward and trust your intuition on what you need this ceremony to be.
To close this ceremony, you can keep the letter somewhere special, place it on their altar, or tuck it into the hollow of a tree.
4. Create a legacy
This ceremony lets the love you and your pet created ripple outward, creating even more goodness.
Make a fresh batch of cookies or a veggie platter and deliver it to your pet’s groomer or vet office, or your pet’s favorite people, thanking them for the care they offered you and your pet. You can include a handwritten card with your favorite photo of your pet to personalize this even more.
Another idea is, if it feels right and your budget allows, you can make a donation to an animal shelter or rescue in your pet's name (even a small donation is okay!). You could even donate to the organization you adopted your pet from, knowing that your beloved animal's story is helping another pet find safety and a home.
A little about me
Hi, I’m Joanna. I’ve been practicing animal communication for more than 20 years, and it still fills my heart every time an animal shares something that helps their person understand them in a new way.
For me, this work is about deepening the connection between you and your pets by helping your pet feel heard and helping you understand your pets’ unique feelings, needs, and perspective on life and purpose
A guided meditation to support you as you grieve
A sleep meditation for pet loss
I would love to share a guided meditation that will guide you into your heart and on a journey to a sweet little cabin tucked in the forest, where you can reconnect with your pet before drifting off into dream time with them.
Sign up for my newsletter below to access this meditation, along with other meditations to help you reconnect with your center and tune in with the animals in your life.
"I had an incredible session with Joanna shortly after the passing of my soul dog. Joanna enabled me to find the peace I needed after his passing.
It was beyond comforting to know that his soul is at peace, that our deep connection was indeed understood by him as well and that he is still present in my life, watching over me and the rest of the pack. I only wish I had discovered her earlier!"
Crystal F. - Via Google Reviews
