Losing a pet is a difficult experience for everyone, but it can be especially hard for children. If it’s the first time they’ve dealt with loss and feelings of grief, it’s important to know how to help them cope with the passing of their pet. Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns presents the following tips that can help you cope with the loss and learn how to say goodbye.
Starting the conversation
One of the trickiest parts about working through grief is learning to talk about it. After losing a pet, it’s likely the whole family will be hurting. But as a parent, it’s important to learn how to approach the subject with your children.
The first step is starting the conversation, leading with openness and comfort as you talk about what has happened. Children respond well to honesty, so be clear about what’s happening, but approach the subject gently and with sensitivity. Depending on your child’s age, they may need more explanation. If your child is under the age of five, it’s important to explain that the pet will not be coming back.
Let the information sink in, and then answer whatever questions come up. It’s important to let them guide the conversation and to let them experience the full range of emotions that arise with the news. After the initial conversation, it’s likely that waves of grief will come and go, according to The Loss Foundation, so be prepared to continue talking about the loss. You may also consider enlisting the help of a nearby pet grief counselor.
Talking about grief
It’s important to keep the conversation going to allow your child to express their feelings. Encourage your child to put their grief and emotions into words and check in often—kids sometimes hold back and need reassurance that it’s okay to talk about how they’re feeling. You can do this by sharing your own expressions of grief. If they hear you talk about your grief, they’ll be more likely to share their own experiences.
Remembering your pet
One of the best ways to help your family heal from the loss of a pet is having a memorial service. Pet funerals are more common than you may think and can be tremendously helpful for your children to come to terms with the loss of this family member.
Memorializing a pet can be done in several different ways. Some families choose to cremate their pets and keep the ashes in a special place—like a customized pet urn from Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns on the living room mantle—while others choose to hold a burial in a pet cemetery. Make the decision as a family; your children will appreciate being part of the decision-making process.
Check with your children to see if there’s anything special they want to do to remember their lost pet. You can make suggestions, such as planting flowers or having a burial service. If you decide to create a pet memorial garden in the backyard, before you pick out a spot, you’ll want to do a thorough cleanup. This includes contacting a professional tree removal service to clear out any fallen or diseased trees or large limbs.
Once you decide whether to bury or cremate your pet, holding a memorial in your home is a great idea. One great way to do this is by looking at photos of your pet over the course of their life: you can create a slideshow and watch it on a projector with the family. Allowing your child to choose will help create closure and allow them to say goodbye in their own way.
Getting a new pet
After some time, you may decide to get a new family pet. Although you may think that it’s a good idea to get a new pet right away, RainbowsBridge.com suggests allowing yourself and your family time to properly grieve the loss. Then, when you’re ready to do so, have a discussion with your family, gather the supplies you need to prepare for the new arrival, and begin thinking about what type of animal you’d love to adopt.
While it’s an incredibly difficult experience, it’s important to learn how to cope with grief. Losing a pet is one way to help kids learn about death but take special care to ensure they can fully express themselves and feel supported through their grief. Find ways to memorialize your pet to help bring closure, and remember that grief comes in waves, so keep the conversation going as long as necessary.
The Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns collection of funeral urns for ashes offers a wide variety of options befitting the beautiful life led by your loved one or pet. These artistic memorial containers offer you and your family the peace of mind and serenity that comes from knowing that you are helping your loved one find a beautiful, peaceful, and unique resting place. For assistance finding a memorial urn call: 877.249.7735
Additional articles on coping with pet loss and pet sympathy:
Pet Cremation – Creative Ideas for Remembering Family Friends
5 Things You Can Do to Cope with Pet Loss
Pet Sympathy Gifts: Offering Pet Loss Support to a Loved One
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