There are many benefits to getting a family pet. Pets can teach your family so much about love, care, and compassion. When the time comes, they can also teach your children about death. Those pets become so much a part of the family that their death can be hard. Not only will it be your children’s first loss, but a loss for the whole family. Just like with any death, finding closure is important. Sending your pet off in the right way will ensure you can all move on. So, how do you ensure you give the whole family a chance to say goodbye? Here are some ideas.
HAVE A FUNERAL
A funeral is the best way to ensure everyone says goodbye. If your pet passed at the vet’s, they’ll give you a choice to keep the body or have your pet cremated. Cremation is the best option if you think it would make things easier to keep your pet in the family home. If you do opt for cremation, take a look at urns like those found at Modern Memorials. Even if you opt for cremation, you can hold a funeral. All you need to do is stand around the urn instead of the grave. Make a real event of the funeral. Get dressed up and ensure the whole family attends. The more official it feels, the more like a proper send-off it will be. Think of it, too, as a test run for your kids. Holding a pet funeral will give them a better idea of how a real funeral will be.
TAKE IT IN TURNS TO SAY A FEW WORDS
Saying a few words can be an excellent way to get personal closure and tell your pet how much you love them one last time. Ensuring that everyone gets a chance to speak at the funeral is your best bet. Encourage the children to write their pet a letter, which they can put in the grave if you have a burial. Knowing that your pet has personal things with them will make the reality of the burial easier for them to bear. Encourage them to read the letter aloud, so you can gain an understanding of how they’re feeling.
TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER
After the burial, hold a wake of sorts to end on a positive note. Take some time to sit down as a family and discuss your favorite memories of your pet. Look through old photographs as you do this so that you can remember the way your pet was when they were alive. It’s important, after saying your goodbyes, to ensure you all remember your pet in the best light. Those good memories are the best thing for helping you all move on. This stage is especially important for your children. Kids are resilient, and the process is sure to bring them back out of themselves again. They may start off crying, but there’s no doubting they’ll be laughing by the end of it.