A ritual is something done with intention to help you acknowledge, express and process emotions related to grief. They can be traditional or personal and can be performed once or many times.
Examples of Rituals
Honour Candle
Keep a special candle that you light on special days such as birthday or gotcha day.
Transition Blessing
Say a blessing, prayer, or invocation to support your pet’s soul’s journey. The ritual could include lighting a candle, calling on spiritual guides, ancestors, or angels to walk with them.
Farewell Letter
Write a letter to your pet telling them everything you want to say. You can bury it with them, burn it as an offering, or keep it in a memory box.
Memory Box
Create a memory box to keep letters, collar, even some of your pet fur or hair in it.
You can buy a special box, use a box that is in your home or find a plain box and decorate it to make it beautiful and memorable.
Anointing Ritual
Water, flower essences, or oil can be used to gently bless your pet’s body .
Blanketed in Love
Wrap your pet’s body in their favourite blanket. Consider placing flowers, herbs or crystals with them:
Rosemary is for remembering, Cinnamon represents dedication and devotion, Basil represents love and protection, Lavender symbolises loyalty and devotion.
Crystals associated with death ceremonies and grief include Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, and Selenite. They are believed to offer comfort, promote healing, and aid in the transition of the deceased and the grieving process.
Walking Meditation
This is a mindfulness practice that allows you to focus on the physical sensations of walking, rather than thinking about the past or future. Paying attention to the movement of your body, the contact of your feet on the ground, and the sensations you experience can reduce stress. A beautiful ritual would be to practise your walking meditation along your pet’s favourite walking path(s).
Energy Healing / Reiki
Offer gentle energy work or call in a practitioner to help ease their discomfort and support the soul’s transition.
Comforting Touch
Toward end of life, gently stroke them while breathing together. Your presence is healing.
Gratitude Ritual
Speak aloud or write down all the things that you’re grateful for about your pet. Let them hear your love. You could then place your gratitude list in the memory box.
Rituals of Loss with Children
Where possible, involve children in the ritual as a way to help them say goodbye and to understand the loss. You will know best the extent of your childrens’ participation depending on age and maturity. Let them tell stories about the pet, sing a favourite song, or help to fill the hole in the ground to bury him/her.
