A pet memorial headstone is a great way to commemorate the members of our families who just happen to be animals. To a casual observer, the family dog or cat might seem more like property than a family memory, with only those inside the family circle knowing just how beloved the pet truly was, particularly by the children in the household. This poses a challenge when the time comes to find out how to honor their memory.
Animal headstones come in any material that can withstand the elements, but river rock and granite seem to be favored in today’s market. Each can bear any engraving, such as the name, life dates, and perhaps a short poem or other message. This might be a good spot to recall how expertly the dog used to keep the varmints out, or how insane the cat was. For just a little bit extra, a photograph or simple engraved image can be added.
Among possible materials, simple river rock holds a special appeal for many of those who miss their animal companions. This is especially the case where the burial or memorial site is in or near a family garden. In such an environment, a river rock grave marker, taking on soil, snow, and rainwater, can appear to be an almost organic expression of that garden. River rock markers can seem to appear as though a child simply scrawled her dog’s dates on the first stone picked up off the ground.
Having the marker for the pets be natural part of a garden is a good way for a family to remember a loved one who isn’t human while respecting the difference between human and nonhuman. This is important to maintain for many people, particularly those who are traditionally religious and hold to a conception of humankind as uniquely made in the image of their creator.
Markers made from granite carry an automatic air of gravitas, primarily because humans so often choose it for the headstones they themselves will use. Moreover, granite is frequently selected for cemeteries, while river rock is extremely rare in such an environment. The association between granite and cemeteries only adds to granite’s innate dignity, even when used in the family lawn or garden.
It goes without saying that millions lose their beloved pets but don’t have any actual land of their own for a real household grave site. They might be students, military, or others who live a transient existence. They might also simply be apartment dwellers who don’t have land, who feel most comfortable in the skies of big cities.
Cremation is a better option for apartment dwellers and for people on the move, with the remains of their pet placed in an urn. Urns are typically made of either some sort of ceramic, pewter, or sometimes brass, and will bear a wide variety of decorative designs. Urns are usually placed atop a mantelpiece or behind a glass, and their design should complement the head of the household’s interior decoration choice.
It can be difficult to properly commemorate a lost, beloved pet. Fortunately, the funeral industry has long accommodated those of us to whom a particular dog, cat, or other creature was a beloved member of the family. A pet memorial headstone can be at once inexpensive and quickly delivered when the moment comes.
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