A pet epitaph is an engraved or written message on a headstone or on an urn of your faithful friend that contains a heartfelt message as a way to honor their life. It can be tough to deal with losing a beloved cat or dog. We think about them day and night for years, and just the thought of coming up with a memorial for them can fill our eyes with tears.
In this article, we’ll look at what you can say for their epitaph, how you can say it, and the different ideas you can create for a pet memorial to forever remember your best friend and faithful companion.
The Idea Behind Pet Epitaphs
Losing a beloved pet is one of the most emotionally challenging things you can experience. Every pet owner wishes their pets could have lived forever. They’d love to take them on one last walk or snuggle again, but the sad truth is that most human companions will outlive their pets. When they die, it helps to find ways to preserve their memory and the joy they gave us.
One of the ways we remember our loving companion is with unique epitaph ideas. An epitaph is a short passage inscribed onto a grave marker or gravestone and mainly found in a pet cemetery or backyard setting.
Many pet owners who choose to cremate their pets will have that inscription engraved onto an urn and display it in their homes as a way to remember the beautiful memories they had with the pet.
The message can be as heartfelt as you wish to make it. It can include the pet’s character or something to describe the way you felt about the pet and the way they enhanced your life. A pet epitaph will typically contain the following:
- Your pet’s name or a nickname you gave them
- Drawings, designs, or symbols that reflect the pet’s character
- A photo or etched portrait of your pet
- A short poem, prayer, passage, or quote
Take your time deciding on epitaph ideas. The grieving process can continue longer than you thought. Reflect carefully on what you’d like to say about your best friend.
You can choose cute nicknames you gave your pet, birth and death dates, sayings that describe your pet, a portrait of your pet, designs, and symbols such as paw prints, a collar or bone, and much more.
Some epitaph ideas are heart-warming, while others are more lighthearted and even humorous. It depends on how you want to remember the beautiful memories your beloved pet gave you. Let’s look at several examples of pet epitaphs from which you can draw inspiration to create your own epitaph for your beloved friend.
Examples of a Beloved Pet Epitaph
If you’re writing an epitaph for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, or different animals, each one will have a different message. And that message may also vary significantly if your pet was a small dog compared to a larger one. You’ll find loving ways to remember your fallen friend by going through the memories.
Examples of Epitaphs for Dogs
There is no denying that a dog is “man’s best friend.” They are a true companion to the entire family and provide years of enjoyment, unconditional love, and protection. Your canine buddy will never be forgotten in the hearts of those that loved them.
When you’ve lost your four-legged friend, it is hard to stop the tears, and it can take a long time to get through the grief that comes with their passing. Here are some ways you can say goodbye to your faithful friend.
#1. Rest in Peace (Dog’s Name Here): My Best Friend Forever.
Rest in peace has been a popular epitaph saying for humans for centuries. It makes sense that the same sentiment is used when we lose our beloved dog companion. It is short and simple, and you can do variations such as “May Your Soul Find Rest” and “Rest In Power.”
#2. Thank You For The Love You Shared.
Dogs give us love unconditionally. They are a faithful companion that is both loving and loyal. By saying “thank you” to your friend for all the love they gave, you remember the most important thing about them. Their pet epitaph will reflect the way they made your heart feel.
#3. A Very Good Boy (or Girl).
We wish we could have saved their life with love or hoped they lived forever. We miss calling out “good boy” or “good girl” when we played fetch with them or took them for a walk. We don’t have to forget the happiness they gave when they came as we called for them. This epitaph is a fitting way to honor just how good they were.
#4. Dearly Loved in Life, Deeply Missed in Death.
We miss our fallen furry friends when they pass. This type of epitaph is a more serious way to write how much we miss them.
#5. In Remembrance of my Best Friend
The term “Remembrance” is very similar to other “RIP” epitaphs as a way to say “in memory of” simply. It focuses on the memory of the dog and helps family members deal with the grief they feel for their lost pet.
Beloved Cat Epitaph Examples
Cats are cherished as pets just about everywhere in the world. A cat is more independent than a dog but offers us just as much love. Here are some pet epitaphs that will suit your fallen feline friend.
#1. You Strayed Into my Life, And Will Stay in my Heart Forever.
In many cases, our feline friends adopt us! One day you’ll have a stray cat come to your door, and they’ll be with you for your entire life and in your heart forever. If the cat chose you to be a companion, this epitaph is the perfect way to honor their memory.
#2. You Left a Paw Print on my Heart.
Anyone who has ever lived with a cat knows they’re active! Cats will climb up or crawl under just about any surface in your home. They not only leave their paw prints everywhere in your home, but their love will live with you forever in your heart.
#3. Thank You For Everything You Gave us.
Most cats will be loving companions focusing on the things that matter the most to them, such as cuddling and purring. Thanking them for the love and joy they gave you and the memory of that love that touched your soul.
#4. Born a Cat, Remembered as a Lion.
Even the smallest cat can be fiercely independent, strong, and brave. Some will even protect their human family from larger foes.
#5. Forever LOVED And Never Forgotten.
Some cats are born creating beautiful memories for their human companion. Many spend hours cuddling up on the bed or sofa and will follow you wherever you go. They may be gone in body, but their memory lives on in your heart.
Funny And Lighthearted Pet Epitaph Examples
Pets are curious creatures, and they get into all kinds of humorous situations. Perhaps you want the epitaph to reflect the fun times they gave you. Here are some pet epitaphs that showcase a lighthearted memorial tribute.
#1. Little Prince (or Princess) in a Fur Coat.
Ancient cultures showcased cats as royalty – and for a good reason! If you’ve ever had a cat for a pet, you know that they act as if they own the home. Many pet owners find a cat’s regal attitude heart-warming and endearing.
#2. You Came, You Purred, You Conquered.
This is an example of what to write on an epitaph if your pet had a specific character trait such as purring, drooling, licking, barking, and more.
#3. Chasing Squirrels in Heaven.
Creating an epitaph that lives long after your pet’s death can highlight one of the main things they were known for. This example shows how Brutus loved to chase the neighborhood squirrels away.
#4. Woof! (Meow!)
A simple approach to a message on a memorial garden stone might be the best. It is your way of saying goodbye without saying too much to get the love across.
#5. My Pawsitively Purrfect Friend Will Never be Forgotten.
To make a beautiful memory, you can get creative with words for your pet’s epitaph.
Pet Epitaphs for Other Pets
People have all kinds of pets, so there are pet memorials that showcase various animals. Perhaps you owned another animal like a horse, a bird, reptile, fish, rabbit, or another type of pet. The memorial you create can reflect the species and how they filled your world with love. Here are some examples of epitaphs for other animals.
#1. What Greater Love Than The Love of a [Dog, Rabbit, Snake, Etc.]
Regardless of what animal you had for a pet, you can use a universal message to show how much you loved them.
#2. May There be Lots of Lettuce in Heaven.
Pets like mice, rats, rabbits, and hamsters love munching on lettuce leaves. You can even customize your message to suit other animals. For example, birds love crackers, and dogs love bones.
#3. Even Though You Took Your Time, You Instantly Filled my Heart With Love.
Snakes, turtles, and lizards spend most of their time in the sun, relaxing and barely moving a muscle. They may have moved slowly, but your beloved friend moved quickly into your life.
A Memorable Gift
Creating a pet epitaph is an excellent way for a mourning pet owner to get through the heartache of losing a furry friend. It will showcase the beauty and love the pet brought to your life and give you a sense of comfort knowing you have written a memory that will last forever.