Dealing with the Loss of a Cat

After your cat passes away, you’ll likely want to do something to remember your beloved companion. Having a concrete way to remember your cat later is essential to handling the loss of a cat. The first thing you must do is consider what to do with your cat. Do you plan for a burial in your yard or a local pet cemetery? A cremation? A pet-specializing taxidermist? Consider how you want to lay your cat to rest ahead of time so you’re not left scrambling when you need to make a time-sensitive decision.

For burials, consider where you want your cat to be buried. Many people choose to bury their pets in their own yard to save money and to keep their loved one close, but don’t consider having to move someday. To have a place where you can always visit your beloved cat, you should inquire with any local pet cemeteries. While many of these pet cemeteries charge fees for burial in addition to any other added funeral expenses (caskets, body preparation, etc.), it can be a great option for those wanting the opportunity to honor their cat in the moment and visit their cat in the future.

If you don’t have any local pet cemeteries (or if pet burial isn’t your thing), you can always choose to cremate your cat. Cremation gives you the option to either keep your cat’s remains or spread them somewhere you can remember them. Those choosing to keep their cat’s remains can find a decorative urn to honor their cat with their name or even their pawprint. Nowadays, some pet crematoriums also offer small jewelry pieces that contain bits of your pet’s ashes, so you can carry your pet with you. There is no right or wrong answer as to how you handle your pet’s ashes. Do whatever brings you and your family the most peace.

Finally, consider if there are any other things you want to do in memoriam of your beloved cat. Do you want to invite any family or friends to say goodbye at their resting place? Do you want to have a tombstone prepared with their name, picture, or other loving messages on it? What about a painting for your home or a tattoo in honor of your cat’s life? Whatever you pick will be precious to you, your family, and your dear cat.

Keep in mind that nothing and nobody can ever replace your beloved kitty. While the grieving process may take a while to get through, your cat would want you to feel joy and possibly even give another sweet cat a chance someday when you’re ready. Though losing our best furry friends isn’t easy, the many years we get to spend loving them is often worth the pain in the end.