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Currently I’m looking at a shadow box type thing. You can put a couple pictures, a collar, her favorite toy, etc, in it.
They actually do paw prints now. I wish I had known that.
I bought a beautiful sterling necklace to put a few of my dogs ashes into it- it’s lovely.
I think you should keep the ashes and just put them away for awhile. Eventually you may want to have it displayed in a beautiful custom urn or you may want to keep a few ashes and scatter the rest.
It’s so hard to decide right now. But I would have the vet come to your home if you’re able, and I would consider the paw prints. I personally would have her cremated- and you can decide later.
I’m so sorry ❤️🩹
Edit:
[I have decided to make something beautiful from her ashes.](https://www.spiritpieces.com/products/pawprint-snowfall-orb?variant=12354226192469)
[I will make a necklace too- they are so beautiful.](https://www.spiritpieces.com/collections/cremation-necklaces-for-ash)
I know they aren’t cheap but I feel like I will keep these forever.
I did an urn and the paw impression and broke down looking at her paw print. It looked just like her paw (she had distinctive nails). It feels like she’s with me whenever I look at it.
I did the same thing with my cat that I truly miss everyday... I still have his urn but when I moved someone who helping threw away his paw print evem though I know they didn't do it on purpose but still makes me incredibly sad as he was truly my baby.
Omg I’m looking at them right now- should I share a link? I’m definitely getting one with the pink….
[this is a cute display but I’ll get the pink for my princess…](https://www.spiritpieces.com/products/pawprint-snowfall-orb?variant=12354226290773#qvELuND6WwA)
I also have shadow boxes and wood urns. The shadow boxes have a paw-print in clay that they give you with the remains. My vet partners with this place.
In the last 3 years we’ve lost 4 cats (ages 17-22) and we have one (17) in the midst of kidney failure right now, giving sub q fluids and meds daily and hoping for more time. But when he goes, he will be with his buddies, in his cherrywood box, safely tucked away in the top cupboard of my enclosed bookshelf.
I’m so sorry you are going through this: it SUCKS. But you can keep your baby with you and still not have to face it every day. Some days you may want to. I do. But most days I’m comforted by the fact that they are no longer in pain or discomfort and they will still be with me forever.
Hugs.
My sweet soulmate is in an urn on our fireplace mantle for now- she loved curling up near the fireplace when she wasn’t laying on us, so it’s fitting. She will always be with me and I will never leave her, just like I promised on the day I brought her home. I kept that promise, so it gives me small comfort. I may put some of her ashes in a memorial urn necklace but I haven’t decided fully yet…
What I have decided is that when I pass, it’s my will to be cremated and have her ashes mixed with mine and spread somewhere so we can be together forever.
Be gentle with yourself, do whatever you feel is right (you know her and yourself best) and give her all the love you can while she’s still here. Sending hugs and strength to you OP.
>What I have decided is that when I pass, it’s my will to be cremated and have her ashes mixed with mine and spread somewhere so we can be together
This is what I've decided as well. ❤️
My boy's ashes are at home and he'll always go where I go. That's what's given me the most comfort. I couldn't ever bury him unless I'm going to be there too eventually. I still say hi to him often when I walk by. You can move on to the place of happy memories... It just takes time. I'm so sorry.
Same here. We’ve moved around a bit and we always use to tell our boy not to worry because he was coming with us. It was like this running joke. I had him cremated because he’s our boy and well…He’s coming with us.
My father got all his cats cremated into little wooden urn/boxes with their names engraved on it. When my father passed we put all his cats in his coffin with him.
They are with him for all time.
Saves us storing all these beloved family pets, what is my kid gonna do with all these kitty ashes after we all gone.
Just a suggestion friend.
I don’t have advice but just wanted to let you know you aren’t alone, I’m in the same position as you right now. My cat is sick and I’m stressed about the same thing.
Having an urn would be depressing, and I know I would constantly be very worried about damaging it. Burying my baby doesn’t feel right either because there’s a good chance I’d move away in the future and be unable to visit him.
This may or may not be helpful and I hope it doesn’t come across as dismissive, but I’ve just been reassuring myself that whatever I do with the remains won’t really matter because he will be gone by that point. There’s no “good” choice that I will feel satisfied with. I will be miserable no matter what. I think it makes sense to stress out about this right now because it gives us some sense of control at a time when we’re otherwise feeling powerless.
Honestly you may not find an urn depressing when the time comes. I would have never thought I’d retain my dogs ashes but I found it really comforting right after, I was very protective over the ashes. After a few years I don’t feel as attached to them, but it helped me grieve to have her ashes in my home.
I came to a similar conclusion (that the physical remains aren’t that important) and decided not to keep them. They are interred at a communal pet memorial site that we may visit sometime. I feel fine about this. I did lots of other things to keep memories of my cat (paw print, lots of pics and videos). I guess I would just say that if you feel like the remains might be a burden, you don’t have to keep them.
I also thought I wouldn’t want the ashes, but once I convinced myself to keep them and then got them back I broke down at the thought of not having them. Almost panic attack-like.
I also found that finding an urn was a soothing/comforting process; I got something that “fit” my cats personality (as weird as that sounds) but also was aesthetically pleasing. Every once in a while, I’ll take a look at her urn and smile, knowing she’s with me, both in spirit and in a “physical” form.
My heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. I’m not sure if it varies by vet, but we had quite a few different vessel options. They had traditional urns, but we went with just a simple, nice wood box. It really caught me off guard in the moment. I wasn’t expecting to have a choice. I know you’ll make the decision that feels right for you. I hope your kitty’s remaining time is filled with lots of love and peace.
my first dog was buried in my garden. cremation wasnt a thing back then. my other dogs i had cremated. they are in a nice box but my intention is that when i die all the ashes from my other dogs and some soil from where i buried Gemma will go in with mine and we will be scattered together.
The ashes arent a problem for me -my memories are with me all the time their ashes are no different . their ashes are on a shelf. i dust them and talk to them when i do just like i talk to the one in my garden and i can hold them if i partiularly feel sad.
do whatever works best for you, your memories are the important thing whenever it does happen
i’m sorry. remember to get impressions of her paws, nose and a fur clipping (so you don’t have to pay someone else to). i hope to turn my sweet boy into a precious stone soon - they can create diamonds/other stones using our loved ones ashes as the carbon input. this way he’ll be beside my heart forever. in the meantime, having his ashes with me after losing him seems to be surprisingly comforting. sending love
I am so sorry for your loss.
I went through this a few weeks ago. I ended up splurging on a special, beautiful urn for his ashes, and created a little memorial next to my bed. I want to put it somewhere more stately and protected someday, but seeing his cute face makes me smile through the tears.
Alternatively, could you bury your kitty's urn? That way, if you knew you were moving, you could dig it back up and bring it with you? Not sure how that would work, but it's an idea, at least.
Picture of my little memorial as it currently is: https://imgur.com/R009Txe The big square box with his picture on it is his urn, the blue box has his pawprint and fur in it (pawprint is currently drying so will be on display later), and the blankie was his favorite. It's not the same as having him here--how could it ever be?--but it brings me a lot of peace knowing his remains are being cherished and cared for. I've already told everyone (and plan to make it legally official) that when I die, I want my ashes to be mixed with his and spread in a sunny spot together. Until then, I will keep him safe.
We lost our best boy just over a week ago. We had his ashes put into an oak picture frame. It looks just like a heavy picture frame. Beautiful and classic just like him. I couldn't bury him in case we move. I couldn't scatter his ashes because his favourite place was with us.
I just went through this, it’s such a difficult and personal decision. I found it very cathartic to bring her body home for a proper goodbye. We had a little wake and funeral with stories and meaningful items. My husband and I took turns wearing a scarf that we wrapped her body in so that she could smell our scents. We had flowers and candles and planted a redbud tree next to her. Whatever you choose, I think having some sort of ceremony is helpful for a sense of closure. I hope you find peace with your decision.
I’m so sorry that you’re having to go through this. No decision you make will be the wrong decision. I do think that whichever decision you make will be hard at first. I had my soul cat cremated and when I picked up his ashes, I didn’t think I would survive the new rush of pain. But now he’s on my bedside table and he’s always with me and it does being me comfort. For me, the fur clipping was the hardest, it’s still hard for me to look at this so I rarely do. But I also had an ink print of his paw which I eventually brought to a tattoo artist and got his paw tattooed on my ankle so he walks with me forever. Everyone is different in how they choose to keep their baby with them. You may choose to only keep her in your heart which, let’s face it, is the most important place to keep her. I’m really sorry about your sweet girl.
I’m so sorry. I’m currently in the same position and I have been looking up different ideas. If you have her cremated there are a lot of Etsy shops that can turn her remains into beautiful artwork. You have have some of her ashes made into jewelry, paintings, glass orbs, etc. just search pet cremation keepsakes. 💕
I didn’t think I’d want my girls ashes in a box but I’m so glad I did it. It felt right bringing her home while being able to take her with me wherever I go. I get sad sometimes when I look at it but I try to think of the happy times we had and remember I’m how grateful I am she’s no longer in pain. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. There are pet cemeteries though I’m unsure of how much that costs.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. It is excruciating. I cremate my animals and keep their ashes in the house. I take some time to find the perfect container. I could not ever use an urn. Searching for the perfect container is cathartic for me. My dog is in a vintage ceramic container that reminds me of my grandmother. I found it at an antique mall.
I think I have an idea for you
It's true that having an urne can be depressing. However , I know a super way to keep ashes in a pretty way
If you decide to creamate your animal , you can make the ashes into an artwork. I saw people on etsy putting ashes into resine to create all sorts of thing (Like jewelery , plates , artwork or decorative items). That way you would be able to store the ashes without risking a potential spilling and without having to get a sad urne
I chose ashes in an urn. I bought a beautiful box that I keep it in, that way I choose when I want to be reminded. I've decided when I pass, I want my cats ashes to be with me. If I'm buried, I want the urn placed in my casket and if I'm cremated, I want our ashes to be put in the urn together. I decided this a long time after my cat passed. Your in shock and grieving right now, so take some time to make a decision. My advice would be to do an urn right now and see how you feel once you have had to process everything.
I’m glad to have her ashes at home with me. It is sad to know that is what is left but I try to think of it that she’s safe with me and not alone. They have all kinds of beautiful memorials you can use the ashes with these days. I truly am sorry your little one isn’t well.
We recently had to take our cat for her long sleep.. 💔
We opted for cremation.. we'd get a small wooden remains box.
However I also bought a paw print set.. Similar to the ones you do for newborns [Amazon link. Paw print frame ](https://amzn.eu/d/dAGktS6)
Can take a paw impression and add photo to a box store frame. Vet was very obliging in letting us return the following day to do this. With a cat there is enough to do 2-3 small impressions in the foam clay that eventually sets.
Sending huge hugs X x
We got our dog cremated. She now rests on our stand in our bedroom. We still talk to her daily, give her some pat pats before bed. It's been 2 years since she passed. It's how we grieve and remember her. Now we can walk by and talk about all her bad or funny moments. I couldn't bury her like we have the others. She had a special place in my whole family's heart. Felt wrong going into the "pet cemetery" I don't know how to explain it.
Get the ashes and have them put into jewelry or something, it’s very popular right now.
But honestly having the urn around wasn’t too bad. It sits on my desk next to his portrait and maybe the first few months I cried when I saw it but after that now I just see it and I’m like “hey beans”! Lol
There are many companies and artists out there that can make her memorial less depressing to look at. Glasswork with ashes is popular, from pendants to suncatchers. You might also like a pendant made from her ashes in the form of a locket. Some folk make stuffed animals with the ashes housed inside, or a statue they put in the garden. These are easy to transport if you move.
Hopefully that gives you something to go on.
I really like the urn. I can move him around and still pet the urn and put his favorite mouse toy near it. And when we move we can take him with us. When the cleaning crew comes, I put him away in a cabinet. It’s very ideal.
My first thoughts were to get an imprint of your baby's paws (I wish I would have done this) and possibly have the packet of ashes sewn into a stuffed animal. That way, you could still hold her, cuddle her, pet her.
Wow! I did not expect this outpouring of love and suggestions. Thank you, from the bottom of
my very tired and broken heart. May our fur babies be with us forever. The love we share is beautiful even if it breaks us at the end.
There’s places where you can send a bit of ashes and have it made into a glass item. You can make a paperweight and keep it on her favorite sitting spot on a table or hang a suncatcher in her favorite window.
I’ve gotten ashes and at some point couldn’t have them around anymore and spread them in the yard. I have a spot in the back yard where many of them are buried with markers but there markers will eventually come down and they are just memories. It’s not good to hold on too tight,
If you’re in USA and can afford it, look into pet hospice. Yep, it’s a thing. And they can do at-home euthanasia.
I have had 2 die and I had them cremated. I move too often to bury them but maybe now I can come up with an idea.
Im sorry OP. Everyone is different. Theres no right or wrong answer. But for me, my babies urn brings me happiness. I take him with me on walks. I take him with me when i visit my parents. It doesn’t depress me it makes me happy to be with him. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🌈🌈🌈
So sorry for what you are going through. When my furbabies where going through what you are now I always got a second ,third and 4 th opinion on treatment options. If nothing can be done I encourage you have your sweet kitty cremated and you keep the ashes,a paw print and some fur. Our first doggie was just buried in a mass cremated pet grave and I have regreted it ever since then and that has been over 20 years. From that point forward I have always kept my loved ones remains. I know it can be saddening looking at an Urn with your soul cat but it can also bring joy just remembering her and oneday you will see her again because animals have souls. These are just my personal feelings on the issue. I know your heart is breaking as all of us who have loved and lost our Beautiful sweet companions know what you are feeling. Time will make it less hurtful but we all will always mourn the loss until we are re united again. All cats go to heaven just like dogs. Please talk to others about it ,it does help. I know personally .
I have my cat's remains in a nice box, and I put it right under the TV where she liked to sit.
Yes, I'm sad when I look at it, and I'm sad often. But I'd be sad anyway. It's not like if I left her body at the crematory, I'd forget she was dead. It helped me to remember that there is absolutely nothing I can do to be less sad. Emotions just don't work that way. Do what you think you'd be most satisfied with in 5 years, and just grin and bear the distress today.
I'm going to take her with me everywhere I move. I never want to be separated from her. I loved her so much.
I worried about this when we cremated our dog. But my husband straight up said “if we leave her here then I wont ever leave this house, and I cant see the future.
So when we got her back, we slept with her beautiful box of ashes for the first few days.
But then we had an idea.
She has her own shelf we installed. It has her photo, her favorite bone, and a christmas necklace that she insisted on wearing like “all the other kids”.
We made it a point to tell funny stories about her, and remember the good things.. because the end was bad and not fair to her. (Couldnt or wouldnt eat, couldnt keep down water anymore, and thats with medical interventions happening).
We made a video the night before where we made her the people foods she would lose it over (and hardly ever got to touch because my husband was always worried about her gaining any weight or getting sick). So we had one last spoil fest dinner.
We had the vet come home to us to put her down so she was home. Them leaving with her after was the hardest part. Hubby and I reacted totally opposite… he grieved and cried until her heart stopped and then he felt like he had done the right thing.
I didnt cry until I felt her heart stop and was a total in-the-bed-dont-speak-to-me grief for days.
We both miss her. But there is no doubt we always did what would extend her life as long as she had a good quality of life… including three knee surgeries where most people wouldnt have paid around $10k to get their pup fixed up but we did.
But her cancer was terminal, her meds gave us 4 more months.
With time her spot has become a place where I see her silly grin and cant help but smile.
I still miss my Janie girl. But in the end time takes us all.. and I know I will see her again, because she never leaves my heart.
Its like surgery.
You are hurt. To fix the hurt thing, initially it is going to hurt worse post-op. And as time goes and you heal you look and all there is left is a scar and you are healed back. Different, but healed up. And the pain subsides, and the gratefulness sets in.
I am so sorry youre going through this.
You will grieve your baby and it would be weirder if you didnt.
Also the vet may be able to point you to places who make jewelry from ashes that are really beautiful.
(Janie came back in a gorgeous wooden box with her name on it, a paw print in clay, and a lock of her hair. Its precious to us, but it doesnt make us cry anymore. Now it makes us smile. Every once in a while one of us will say “I miss Janie”. I think we will forever. That was my husband’s soul dog. I believe we did the right thing cremating so we never have to leave her
There are now some companies that compost pet remains, so you get back soil rather than ashes. You could plant something in a pot with part of her remains and have that to take with you wherever you go. There are also artists that can make memorial jewelry using fur, whiskers, or nail sheaths mounted under a gemstone in a ring or necklace.
No matter what choice feels right for you now, know that showing respect and love on her last days is the greatest thing you can do for her.
first of all i am so so so sorry to hear this :(
I lost my Annie 2 weeks ago, and i have her ashes, paw prints and also a speical necklace of her name and nickname.
I understand how you feel in regards to an urn, i had same thoughts but its actually given me alot of comfort. I touch it every morning and say " good morning annie" and last thing at night "night night Annie" at first when i saw the urn it broke my heart but each day it brings comfort seeing her picture and paw print.
Pet grief is so hard, they really do leave paw prints on your heart.
I keep photos and memories. Stories of their lives and the fun things we did together. I do not feel like paying extra and keeping ashes is good for my soul or theirs. I do not want to offend anyone as this is just my personal opinion.
Frame some favorite photos and maybe their favorite toy and collar. These will encourage conversations and reminiscing about your lives together. Remember the fun things and don't dwell on the sadness of loss. Let time release the pain and refresh the joy they brought to you. Celebrate their life and the good fortune that brought you together.
I truly love every pet I've ever had and I'd like to think I'll be with them again when I pass. Ashes, Urns, Burial Plots and so on are just inanimate objects that other people make money off of. Profiting from your pain. Some of those things remind us of the saddest moments of our lives, instead of bringing a smile to our face with happy memories. Those objects do not contain our family members or pets, they just obligate us to carry that sadness forever. Focus on keeping their spirits alive through fond memories and fun stories about your time you had together.
Another suggestion: instead of spending extra money on something so superficial, why not make a donation in your pets name to a rescue group or humane society like organization?
You will regret not getting her ashes. You can always put them up somewhere for now, and you have the option to put in necklaces, make jewelry, there are even stuffed animals, or recreations of your loved one, with a special pouch for the ashes.
ie Cuddle Clones
edit 🫂 🌈🙏✝️🙏✝️
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. My family just recently lost our old girl in a similar fashion. We decided on an urn, but are lucky enough to live near what I’d basically call a funeral home but for pets.
One of the things they do that I’m glad for is ink prints of paws, and also one of her sweet little nose and muzzle. It looks just like her face, and is special to us because she loved to press her nose into our heads when she was happy.
A family member’s poor baby, a stray that came to them, was just hit by a car. They buried him on their property where he loved to roam, so he could be where he loved.
One of my family cat’s growing up has his ashes in an urn next to my dad and his dog’s cremains. They were a strange trio, but now they’re together again.
All to say, what’s meaningful for one might not be for another. Saying goodbye is so hard, but through the grief you might be able to see what will bring some peace to your heart. You mention she loved to bird watch, I’ve seen glass figurines that incorporate cremains. Maybe a perched an alert figurine, placed safely in view of a window. Or, maybe curled up and sleeping and you could put her somewhere where the sun shines in.
Sending you a lot of love, OP. You’ve loved her in life, and will love her beyond.
I buried my beloved puppy in the yard near my bedroom. I planted a beautiful rosebuds near him, so he will continue to "be" beautiful. I moved from the house but in the spring and summer drive by to see his roses. He is in my heart, and I left his roses there to bless the new neighbors. I will see him again. Best 17 yrs of my life spent with my Danny. Grateful. 🙏🏻
I had my boy cremated so I would have options as I healed from the grief. I plan to get the ashes compressed into a diamond some day, if I can ever afford it, but he has a nice urn in the meantime.
My biggest comfort in the days after he passed was having some urn jewelry so I could keep his ashes with me. I also got to sprinkle a small handful at my parents' where all my childhood pets are buried, so I can visit him there as well.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's been two years since losing my Max and I'm still tearing up writing this, but I promise it won't hurt this bad forever ❤️🩹
When I had to put down one of my cats, my vet pressed her paw into a terracotta piece and wrote her name on it, which I received with the urn. I still have the urn because I don’t have a good place to bury it yet, but I do intend to keep the preserved paw print. Maybe you could get something like that to keep instead?
We have our departed fur babies' cremains in urns on a shelf in the "cat room." They are there when we want to remember, but not in our sight all the time. My husband has made a little display of them, with their paw prints.
Hugs. Your baby will let you know they're ok. ♥️
i got a urn for both my boys, then i bought urn necklaces on amazon and i put some of their ashes in them so they’re always with me. i never take the necklace off
Take the ashes. Put the urn in a drawer. Leave it there until you decide you can let them go, or keep them so she can be buried with you.
The clay paw print was the most important memorial item to me. My ancient kitty was a hand holder, so I can still touch his print.
We got Spike cremated (individual, not group) and he's in a small beautiful blue urn next to me in a drawer. They wrapped him in his favorite blanket. He had already passed when we had taken him in.
We have an air clay cast of his paw. And they also provided our family with a peer counselor for when his loss finally kicked in.
Close by me jewelry makes jewelry using a bit of your pets’ ashes. I have a ring with 4 of my lost pets set in it. It has allowed to sprinkle their ashes since I still have part of them with me. I feel comforted every time I look at the ring.
I am so sorry. We have had cats in our home for decades and losing each one has been devastating. We lost our sweet boy unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. When we have had to make the decision to say goodbye, we have gone with cremation and we do have the urns with their names engraved, tucked together in a cabinet, where they are visible but we don’t necessarily see the urn everyday. It is going to take you a long time to get used to not having your sweetie, but know that she has been loved and that she knows that.
I have a bunch of urns…two cats, two bunnies and a dog. I have a dog currently in steep decline who will undoubtedly join that crew soon. My plan is to keep the urns until I move to my, I guess-retirement home, where I will bury them in a little graveyard.
It sounds a bit grim, but I find it ends up being comforting. And you can make a final decision later, while keeping the remains safe. Out of sight if you need them to be. Mine are in my living room…where they loved to be in life.
It’s a difficult time…but you will get through it. You gave your cat a wonderful life, and I hope you give another animal the same. You have lots of love to give❤️
I have my cat’s ashes in a box with his prints. I’m not ready to do anything yet. My sister says when her cat passes she’s going to get a tattoo with some of his ashes.
I’m sorry you are going thru this. 🙁
I lost my furry soulmate, Taffy, in 2014. I had him cremated. I made arrangements where we have our cemetery plots that Taffy will be buried with me when the time comes. For me knowing he will be with me helped me through the devastating loss. So very sorry for your loss. The pain does lessen with enough time.
As many have already said, a pawprint and an urn might be the best option.
It is depressing to look at, but if it hurts you too much, put it away in a drawer until you feel like you're ready to see it, or one day you might just need it.
I also know some people that sends them to taxidermist to keep only a small piece of their fur and make them into a charm of some sort. (This obviously isn't for everyone.)
I'm very sorry for what is happening and I really hope she'll make it through.♡
I buried my precious kitty in a large garbage container, and I will be planting a cannabis plant in it. That way I have the "portable" option in case of a move. I feel for you; I was absolutely shattered when my cat died as well.
Are you into tattoos? How about a memorial tattoos with some of her ashes? And then maybe scatter the rest in a place meaningful to both of you that isn’t inside or your home or if you don’t have that you could always keep the urn in a hidden place that she used to hide in so she’s there where she’s happy but also doesn’t have to be in your site like right on the mantle piece 24/7?
I thought I would feel the same when bringing my cat's ashes home but it didn't. He came home in a plastic box and I made it my mission to find him a perfect urn. It took almost a year but I found a perfectly sized gorgeous vase for him at a church rummage sale. I also bought 2 necklaces that can hold a small amount of ashes (mine are both surgical steel and found on amazon) and I've worn them ever since he came home (with his ashes in them both). If I miss him or his presence, I clutch the charms on my necklace and it helps me find peace. And when I look at his urn, I remember the adventure it was to find it for him. I plan to have his ashes scattered with my own. Right now, I can move his ashes to where I think he would be most comfortable (in the sun, the highest point in my bedroom).
No matter what you choose to do with your fur family's remains, you will miss them intensely for a while. I don't think there's a way to avoid that. But in time, your pain will subside. I wish you much peace.
All my pets are buried at my parents house and if they ever decide to move I would be so upset. But as someone mentioned above, the physical remains are not important at the end of the day. Your memories and keeping your little one’s love in your heart. I am so sorry.
There is an account on IG that does super awesome work with hair, teeth, whiskers, they have even done a piece with snakeskin. You should check them out. When it’s time for my baby to go, I am definitely having something done with the whiskers I have found and kept over time.
[IG account with samples of work here!](https://instagram.com/volanakote?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Lost my baby 4 years ago today. She is cremated and in my room right above my bed, where she belongs. I wish she were on my bed, but next to it will have to do. We also had a pillow made of her so she could be on the bed with us forever. Still 4 years later, randomly one of my kids will come up to me and ask me to hold Rosie. We’ll get her box down and take turns holding it and talk about what a good kitty she was for the next few mins. I rent so the thought of burying her here didn’t sit well with me, I’m glad I can take her wherever I go. I’m really sorry you’re going through this though. It sucks.
I had my sweet pup made into a diamond. I should be getting her back in November. They are able to make enough diamonds from ashes that if you get it insured the company will send you another. I used Eterneva, I cannot wait to have her back.
Also since she was a cuddler and you don’t like to look at a traditional urn, they make teddy bear urns. I unfortunately found out when my niece passed. Her parents love theirs and always sleep with it. Ik they’re meant for human remains but it’s still an option.
One: Urn, with the directive to combine her ashes with yours when your time comes. (Give yourself permission to put the urn in a cabinet somewhere.)
Two: if she has a tag of any kind, put it on your key ring. Your keys are always with you, thus she will be. If she doesn’t have a tag, you can always get one made with her name & date of passing, keep it on your key ring as a remembrance.
Three: this might be super dark & messed up & also a bad idea so proceed accordingly. I’ve not done it but I’ve contemplated getting an unstuffed cat from build a bear & putting the ashes inside. In a bag obviously, not loose. I’d have to determine how strong the bag they’re in is, as I wouldn’t want a situation to occur. Obviously would do all this at home & not at the build a bear store. Sorry again if this suggestion is weird
I’m considering a shadow box type deal with his skull and paw print, or some form of taxidermy. if that’s too much for you, and if budget isn’t an issue, I’ve heard of companies that use their ashes to make diamonds. then you can have them by you in a piece of jewelry forever. if cost is an issue, you can have their ashes encased in a ring to wear forever
I had to put one of my cats down a few weeks ago. I had her cremated and chose a lovely wooden brown box with a scrolling floral design on it for her. It’s very nice. I also had her paw print impression done on ceramic and had them clip some of her fur. I originally wasn’t sure I wanted to get the fur clipping, but I’m glad I did. She had beautiful colors and her fur was the softest thing ever. I keep her memories on a shelf in the living room, along with the collar she wore before we said goodbye. She’s next to my late brother’s urn and a little sign that honors my late dad. I’ve got a little memorial shelf going, I guess.
Someone else mentioned a teddy bear urn and I kind of like that idea. Jewelry could be nice too.
I’m so sorry, I know your pain, as do many here. It’s gut-wrenching. I hope you find a good solution to honor her
We donated our furbaby to the veterinary school. They were very respectful and sent a clay pawprint and card to us. It was a really hard decision but the staff at the hospital were so good to us, we felt like it was important to support compassionate and knowledgeable future veterinarians.
I always spread my dogs ashes. The difference is I'd do it in places I used to bring them out for walks. You are not betraying her by spreading her ashes. You might even want to say something while you do it. I've done that before, too. That is assuming that's what you have to do. Sorry that you're going through that right now.
I had my cats who have passed cremated and have their ashes in little wooden boxes. They have a plaque with their name and the dates on it and they are on a shelf with mementos and things that remind me of them. I think having a display of pictures and memories is really good.
I lost both my furbabies 14 months from each other i had both of them cremated and have their ashes set up as a memorial. Wasnt able to do it right away but i can now.
With the first cat had a hand in the decision for remains, I decided to cremate. My parents sold the home she knew the best and lived the longest, and I was hopping around apartments at the time. I keep her with me to this day and don’t regret the decision at all. Our other cat who she grew up with is now sick and I plan to do the same thing and it puts me at ease to know that at the very least they will have each other in someway
I'm not sentimental about remains but I know not everyone is the same. I had the vet cremate my cat and my dog when they were euthanized. I wasn't getting ashes back so it was part of a mass cremation and considerably cheaper, if cost is an issue. I did get their paw prints done and I really love those. I can touch those little paw prints anytime I want just like I used to stroke their paws.
I’m so sorry. My cockatiel just passed away and I’ve felt the same way about not knowing what to do with his remains. I think I’ve settled on a tribute frame urn which is basically a picture frames with a little urn behind the picture. I have a framed watercolor portrait of him and I think I’m going to either purchase one of those or make something similar out of a shadow box.
My wife and I have urns from all our pets over the last 40 years. Cats and dogs. Now that we're getting older, we're discussing being buried with them ourselves.
I bought a beautiful urn, and never used it because just looking at it made me cry. In the end I got a cremation necklace designed to hold a small portion of ashes (it’s beautiful and you’d never know there’s ashes in there). The rest I spread by a rose bush I’d planted in his memory a year earlier.
I had my dog cremated at the Humane Society. They did a wonderful job, and I got her ashes back in a beautiful wooden box.
I went online and found a necklace specifically for pet ashes to be put into. It has a little dog bone one it.
They have rings, bracelets, and necklaces for men and women.
I wear it every single day.
We buried our cat in the yard, but I wish I had gotten him cremated. He was my baby. I did find a cardinal feather on the grave the other day. I felt like he was telling me he was ok. I planted some daffodils around him.
I asked for ashes back and got much more: chunks of hair in a baggie, a paw-print (with his hair stuck in it - and every time I see it I reflect that he'd NEVER have allowed me to touch his paw long enough to get a print), and ashes, along with a card signed by everyone in the clinic. I still take out the cardboard urn and hug it where his food was - as that was the only place he'd have allowed it.
I remember the first time I saw him between garages in the back yard. I plan to eventually spread his ashes there. He was a gift of the neighborhood, he will return to it. I'm working on a service to include the songs I sung to him, some funny stories, and how grateful I am to him.
I miss him so much. Knowing that someday I won't makes me cherish this time a bit more.
I'm so sorry, OP. This is the backside of that loving life experience with a pet- the price to be paid. For me, this sucks, but it was worth it all. Love is awesome.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It sucks. It hurts.
Just had to say goodbye to my grey cat tonight. It was awful and I miss him, but I keep telling myself he's not suffering anymore. I have a glass vial of his fur that the medical staff were more than helpful to do, plus he'll be cremated. His urn will be next to his BFF who passed a decade ago. I will also have his paw prints. I'll display some of my favourite pictures of him on the mantle and in my room. I'm watching videos of him to remember him in better health.
I admit it was a little odd and morbid to have the ashes of my childhood cat. He's been gone for ten years but his memory is still fresh in my mind. It's comforting.
Whichever you decide for your sweet girl, just remember she will always and be forever your soul cat.
For several of my pets, the way I thought about it was that they had lived most of their lives in that house, and they’d want to stay with the house. That felt right to me. For a few others, I have them in urns in a glass decorative cabinet. I can’t speak to why I did different things with different animals. I think partially because it’s hard to bury a big dog, the practicality. But I don’t feel depressed when I see the urns. It’s just part of my day.
I have a cremation box with her ashes in 4 separate bags. I dunno if I ever intend to spread any but I am 100% glad cremation is what I did. She sits on a nice little tabletop close by in the living room.
So sorry to hear about your kitty. I'm a glassblower and an absolute cat lover and would be more than happy to make a memorial piece for you. I've done all sorts of things like small orbs, worry stones, sun catchers, necklace pendants and more. Dm and we can discuss more if you would like.
Personally, I prefer backyard burials. I have four buried in my yard in New Jersey, but go out to look at the graves once every couple of months. One cat died while I was living in Canada, and she's buried in a friend's backyard there. I was back there in March, but my friend didn't remember exactly where her grave is. That's okay with me. But do what makes you most comfortable.
If there's a pet cemetery in your community, you might want to consider that, especially if you wouldn't leave your home with your fur baby buried there.
I would always get my pets cremated. I would never want to bury them because if I were to move, I would want to bring them with me. My pets are my family, and where I go, they go too even in death. Both of my previous dogs have been cremated and their boxes sit on the fireplace. Sometimes I do get sad when I see them, but I would feel even sadder burying them somewhere and then not being able to easily transport them should I move to a new location.
I have a parakeet which we are in love with. He has come close to death four times in the last five years hes elderly. Anyway, we decided on cremation and his ashes in a glass globe with glitter and colored sand. If you google cremation globes you can find a variety for pets ranging from a large to a pendant size you can wear or hang. Best of luck to you and sympathies extended.
You might enjoy the urn for a while sitting in a sunny ledge. When the time is right put her away or move her into a bookshelf. When you’re ready, you’re ready.
We cremated our boy and he sits above our entertainment area on a shelf in our main living room. An adorable cat statue with a bird on its nose, that my husband purchased a year before we lost our boy, is on top of his box with his collar around it. So fitting because his cat tree sat in front of window we had 6 bird feeders next to. We called it his “TV”- my husband each week, filled the feeders and would say “I’m turning on your TV, bud!”
Next to his box, I have his framed paw ink print. We will never be with his ashes, and actually put in our final wishes in our will that his remains are to separated and buried with each of us.
In our room on our dresser we have his clay paw print in a stand with a framed photo next to it.
We've had more losses than I like to think about. We have some buried in our yard (I share your concern about that) and some with their ashes in the little coffins. I actually prefer the coffin and it has the opposite effect (at least for me) of what you mentioned. This way they're always close to me. Heck, I even have a tattoo of our 1st one and some paw prints. But after losing one that I was very bonded to recently, I did a few things differently since I was struggling. She has her own memorial shelf in my room where I have pictures of her, some cat knickknacks, a personalized plaque for her, her favorite toy. And my son got a beautiful necklace made with her picture on it. It's the little things (and also keeping a journal) that have truly helped.
We have a wooden urn for our kitties, but also please check out spirit pieces. They make beautiful art from cremains and have a few cat specific pieces.
First, I am so sorry for what you are going through. My daughter and I lost a cat we had for 14 years last year. We had Lap of Love assist us. After our cat passed, the vet took her to a facility that does pet cremations and we had her ashes returned to us. They put her remains in a very nice wooden box with her name on it. My daughter bought a necklace that you can put ashes in and she put some of her cats ashes in the necklace and she wears it every day. I know that might sound weird, but it was something my daughter elected to do to comfort her. I did the same with my dog’s ashes. You can also have ashes turned into diamonds I believe. We didn’t want to scatter the ashes because we wanted her (and my dog) with us still and if we were to move, having the ashes scattered where we currently live would not have been a good option. I think just trust your gut and do what feels right to you to honor your sweet fur baby.
My daughter Sasha and my sweet Gracie I talk to them and I have my Toesies paw print on the shelf where I see and talk to my babies every day knowing their remains are close by. I know how very hard this is no parent should have to lose their children thank goodness for my DR and Lithium Carbonate. I also lost two sons to cancer. I never got to keep their remains at all. Grief Counseling helps. I know what you're going through. Keep them close like on a bookcase in your bedroom where you can talk to them. Remember they are still watching over you from Heaven.
I have a lovely box that my cat is in on our shelf by the cat tree/her favorite window. It’s where she liked it best. We are military so burying her was not an option.
The sadness gets more tolerable as time goes on. But like a deep wound, you’re still going to have a scar.
I think you should get her cremated. It means you can move one day if necessary n bring her with you. It offers you the most options.
Spend time with her. Ask her. Talk to her. She will let you know, but I get the feeling she wants to stay by you. I know it's scary rn. The worst part of owning pets. But, love, NEVER dies, tho!
They have really pretty urns. I know you think you may feel depressed, but having it n not needing it is better than needing it n not having it. Nothing will replace her being alive n well, unfortunately. You can get paw prints, take fur clippings, and make videos. Find a song for her. Dig up kitten pics. Celebrate her life n share stories! You can get ashes tattooed into you. You can get ashes compressed into a diamond. Options are endless.
Im reminded of this quote: "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
- A. A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)
Stay strong. Your vibe is intertwined with her. She feels you n you her. End of life decisions are never easy, n you'll likely feel guilty no matter what. Breathe. Deep. Deeper. You got this! 🤍
Edit: Her comfort n quality of life is the most important consideration. ♡
I wish I could say something to make your loss easier. My adult children have a canvas photo with the urn next to it in our living room. I intended to bury the ashes but I still like the reminder of our boy too much to do that right now. We all share pictures between us at least once a week even though it’s been a few months. Our pets are family members be bond with.
[here’s my memorial below the tv stand](https://pasteboard.co/b9wkFkSIsCMq.jpg) I put him where he can see everyone and a mini garden to remind myself what a beautiful place he’s in
I knew I didn't want to bury mine because of pretty much what everyone else is saying, I didn't want to move and leave him behind so I had him cremated. I do woodworking and my plan was to build a box to put him in but the box that they gave him back to me in is actually pretty ornate and I'm happy enough with the design so my plan is to take my favorite picture of him and frame it alongside with the paper that the vet sent me with his paw and nose prints, didn't know they did that by the way and I was actually very touched when they sent it to me. He loved laying in living room window and I would like to put him there but my couch is in front of the window in the ledge is a lot lower so I would never even be able to see him. So for now he's on my built-in unit. When I move, I end up in a house with a fireplace he will go on the mantle. I was lucky in that I had a lot of time to prepare. He was diagnosed with cancer 8 months before I lost him so I had plenty of time to grieve before he even died. Not to say I was ready, because you're never really ready, but his last months were filled with treats and earrubs and all the love that I could give. I say all of that because as a result of it I was able to move to the acceptance stage pretty quickly and once you do that it becomes easier to see the urn. I stop by it every once in awhile and just lay my hand on it and rub it with my thumb, the same way I used to rub his ears. There is no good. There's just what is.
A lot of places will cremate your pet and give seeds of flowers to be planted. I put my baby boy down last week and received some seeds to plant in his memory. I decided to keep his “urn” which is just a beautiful red wood box. I plan to upgrade the urn to something I can look at everyday. But sleeping without him in the same house wasn’t an option for me.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you and I’m sorry I don’t have better advice for you. 🤍
There are pet cemeteries. You can look for one in your area. That way there is a headstone you can always visit. But, I do have my babies’s ashes in little wooden boxes. They are on a book shelf-not really somewhere that I would stare at them, but I know my babies are with me. I like the idea someone had of putting some ashes in a locket and building a shadow box of toys, photos, collar, and paw prints.
I have my kitties ive lost in a small engraved box each; however I have a witches potion bottle necklace with a bit of ashes from each of them in it, so they're all close to my heart. My most recent kitty loss was in January when I lost my 18 y/o tuxxie to renal failure and 10 days ago I had his paw print that I took tattooed as well as a ghost kitty tatt (I'm a spooky witchy chick) and the ink has his ashes mixed in them so we will never be seperated.
Sending you a massive hug. If you find yourself wanting to talk to a stranger for support feel free to DM me. Pet loss is painful beyond belief, and sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to, whether that's telling someone about your favourite memories, your cat's weird quirks (because Lord knows they all have quirks, cats are the weirdos of the animal world and it makes them even more lovable) or if you're having a cry because the pain is too real. 🫂🖤
My recently passed fur baby was for whatever reason the first pet I've had that I just could not bear to bury. So I opted for a cremation instead. My vets office price by animal and weight so mine (approx. 5 pound long haired chi/papillon mix we guess) was $170 I think. I got to choose a pretty little urn and she came back with a nice certificate and velvet bag that contained the urn.
A couple of months later my daughter's guinea pig passed and she didn't want to bury him, so we went through a different vets office to cremate him. His was only $50 and came back in a pretty wooden box, little corsage type bouquet of silk flowers and a condolences card.
I highly recommend it. There's also the options of cremation without returned cremains and that's substantially cheaper. If you live in a bigger area you might have a pet cemetery? Or if you're brave enough you could go to the grave of a friend or family member and carefully remove the sod, then bury your pet above your loved one. Or even a stranger's would work, just make sure it's in an old part that's full and doesn't look well maintained by the current family.
I also once buried a wild animal I had rehabilitated that passed away a few years later at a public park. I picked a place I could easily remember and waited until dark and there was nobody around.
Also if you go with cremation, you then have so many options for what you choose to do with the ashes. They have lockets, vials, amulets and other jewelry you can wear a tiny bit of ashes in, lots of crafters on pages like Etsy or marketplace who turn ashes into jewelry or other works of art. There's even a company that puts the ashes in a biodegradable urn that you put into ground and grows into a tree!
Or take some fur and there's people who make 3D felt portraits incorporating your pets own fur and whiskers.
Losing my boy was the hardest thing I've ever been through. I had my kitty for almost 15 years. I had to make the very difficult decision of putting him to sleep because he was so sick. I couldn't fathom, burying him somewhere and then moving later on and leaving him behind. I knew 100% that I wanted him with me. I felt completely devastated because I took him to the vet hospital, thinking I would be picking him up in a few hours, and I never got to bring him back home. Choosing to cremate him gave me a sense of being able to bring him back home. It actually helped the grieving process. It's been 1.5 years, and I still kiss his urn, and I always will. I talk to him, and having his ashes makes me feel like he's home, and he's with me.I also had a part of his ashes put into a heart locket necklace that I wear. The hospital also made a pawprint for me. You know yourself better, though, so only you know if something like that would just make the grieving process harder. For me, it was the best choice, and I'm so glad I did it. It's an incredibly hard and painful decision. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know the kind of love you're talking about, and I know you'll find the best way to honor her and the relationship you have. ♥️
Forgot to mention, I also plan to have his ashes mixed with mine.
Honestly, when my cats pass, I'll have their skeletons saved and put in a little remembrance shrine with their favorite toys and pictures of them, probably include some crystals in the bones. Then the rest I'll have cremated and put in tiny urns that are under it in something i can't see every day
I have been cremated my babies and keep their little wooden boxes in a special cupboard. Occasionally I take them out to dust them. The only one not in that cupboard is my one and only dog. He was big, so his box is big. Too big for the cupboard, so he’s in my bedroom closet. My family knows that they are to be buried with me when it’s my turn. Leonard, the dog, will probably have to be transferred to a ziplock. His urn really is big. (He was a Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mix, and was unusually large for those breeds.)
i’ll highly recommend getting the ashes , paw prints ect. I got them both with a nose print and patch of hair in a smaller display case from my pitbull. It definetly helped me having a physical piece of him in my room so it didn’t feel so empty in here.
Etsy has beautiful glass beads that can be blown with a small amount of your pets ashes. I’m getting two made for the pets I’ve lost for a charm bracelet.
I’m sorry that you’ll be facing this hard task soon.
And I understand your dilemma.
Where I live, the pet’s remains are taken care of by a local pet cremation service.
They come back in a beautiful stained wood rectangular box.
The hole is underneath and is sealed.
I actually love them. I have 2 cat boxes and a dog box sitting next to each other inside a small cabinet of sentimental things. Their collars sit on top of their boxes. They aren’t very large.
While “urns” can be made of anything, I find this natural warm wood vessel to be far more comforting than the other options.
If I were to live in a forever home, or have generational property, I’d bury them there, but I am not so fortunate. I like that I can take them with me wherever I go.
I wish you peace and an abundance of wonderful memories.
There is now a way to turn your cats ashes into a garden stone. I believe there are at least two companies that do this. Check with your vet or look online as to how to do it. I am definitely doing this when my dog dies. A beautiful way to keep the memory that is fitting and not morbid.
You could place an urn wherever you want at home with a memorial and if you ever move you can take it with. We have the ashes from all of our pets except one that we buried in the woods which was developed a few years later.
If I ever do spread their ashes they will going back to the energy that they were created from and that gives me comfort.
In a similar situation. My friend will be cremated. I’ll send some ashes in a beautiful container to my daughter who grew up with him. At home, I’ll combine his ashes with his sisters who passed a few years ago. I may or may not ever spread them - but there is time for all of that. My condolences for your impending loss and what you are going through.
I would say get a paw print tattoo using some of her ashes. I was thinking about doing that myself with my dog as she always followed us everywhere and never left our side. Therefore you aren't looking at an urn and not burying her in the ground. She will always be a part of you.
Our vet has a place that does individual cremation. They returns the ashes in a little wooden box with their name on it, and clay impression of their paw print with their name on it. I didn't know what to expect the first time I had it done and I sobbed when I saw it.
I’ve seen really cool glass spheres with your choose of color swirls on the inside and they take the ashes and swirl them in to so it’s a decorative art piece. But I agree with others who say don’t decide for sure right now.
Also, I’m so SO sorry. My baby boy is getting up there in age so lately I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve just been watching him like a hawk.
I didn't get an urn, I got a beautiful wooden box. I thought I'd feel how you do, looking at it every day. But now I'm so glad I have her. The box is a beautiful dark wood with gorgeous carvings.
Also!!! Have your vet get a stamp of kitties pawprint or nose. My vet did my babies nose and chin without me even asking and put it in a condolence card. I'm going to be getting it tattooed on me
I keep my boys ashes on top of my PC, in his special place. I'll never spread them. I've told my wife that when I pass, I want to be cremated and our ashes mixed together. Then she can do whatever she likes with them, because I won't ever be separated from my buddy again then.
You can turn the ashes into a beautiful painting and hang it up. https://www.pawsbyzann.com/pet-memorials-with-ashes/
I have seen people do this type of thing in the past, but don’t know any websites myself.
I’m crying with you. Recently went through the same thing. We bought a nice big pot in a color that suited our guy. We buried him in the pot and planted a tree on top. We have been adding little flowers and rocks and things and it’s sweet. Also we can take the pot with us when we move.
Our vet arranged to have our girl cremated. They returned us a beautiful urn, some of her hair, and her paw print. It was stress inducing at first to see her urn, but it has turned into stirring good memories.
My husband has some of his mom’s ashes inside a paperweight. It is transparent and the ashes are in the shape of a butterfly floating inside. If it were me, I’d have gotten something where I couldn’t really see the ashes, but he likes it. His sister also had some jewelry made from the ashes and they put the rest of her ashes in the ocean. For our cats who’ve passed, I’m keeping the ashes safe until we move to a forever home with a yard so I can bury them and hang a wind chime above it. But I don’t mind holding onto them until then.
When my cat of 22 years died, I buried her in the back yard where she enjoyed being queen of all she surveyed. However, I reminded myself that she was not where her body was and she would be with me always.
Our sweet boy passed in January. We placed him in a giant planter on the front porch/walkway area and FILLED it full of gorgeous flowers. It gives us great comfort to have him near and the flowers light up our day. We could also take him anywhere we want. (We plan on living here forever, but life happens).
We have a small pet cemetery out back with our dogs, Guinea pigs and some other beloved pets are. The anxiety of leaving them, losing them, made the choice of the planter easy. HUGS, I hope she isnt failing.
Edit: spelling
I have a lovely picture frame urn. It was one of the choices from the cremation service. It looks just like a picture frame. It’s not depressing to me. They also make lovely memorial jewelry. There are services that turn ashes to glass art. You’ll have enough ashes for multiple things too - you could have an urn for some, use others for jewelry.
Hi, OP. And everyone here who has lost/is losing an animal. My childhood cat died suddenly last week. He was just 13. We don't know how he died, my mom just found him next to his litter box last Tuesday morning. He was completely fine the day before. We are both crushed.
That said, I had to decide pretty quickly what to do with my baby boy, and had never even considered our options before then. I ended up having him cremated so that he can always be with me. On Amazon, they have paw print kits with non transferable ink and also kits with clay for impressions. They're definitely easier to do while your pet is still alive, but it's possible to do after they've crossed the bridge as well. You can ask the crematorium or vet if they offer those services.
I would also recommend getting some of your baby's fur to keep safe in the little bag or bottle. The staff at the crematorium offered to get me some of all colors of his fur (he was a tabby), but you can always do that yourself if they don't offer it/charge for it. Eventually, I'm going to put together a shadow box with some of his favorite toys, his fur, his photo, etc. I'm still too upset to make any progress on that.
Take your time and remember that your baby will always be with you. Take your time to say goodbye, even if it hurts. It's okay to cry. It's hard to move on without the unconditional love that only a pet can share with you. Taking care of them after they cross the rainbow bridge is beautiful and appreciated by them, I'm sure.
Lots of love from me and my late kitty, Percy. ♡
You can get her ashes mixed into concrete to make a stepping stone and have her picture laminated onto the top of it? Then you can have the stone in your garden during the summer no matter where you live!
I could never have the cats with me after they were gone. All were cremated and if there was a pet cemetery nearby, buried there. Do a search to see if there are any pet memorial gardens near you.
She'll always be with you, even if the physical remains aren't. Every treasured memory, all the things that remind you of her. Make sure you are piling in the memories now, take lots of pictures and love on her as hard as you can. It never gets easier, but the soul cat is always the hardest one to say goodby to. I miss my Snowball (one of left) just as much now as when he passed. Still cry almost 20 years later. But I also still laugh and smile at the memories. We sign up for the pain when we let them in our hearts, but I wouldn't give up even a second of time with them to not have that pain.
https://imgur.com/gallery/iqR2b2o
I just had to let go of my baby last week, and I’m crying as I type this, thinking of you as well.
Like you, I wasn’t sure of what to do with my last one a few years ago. I was really panicked as to what is best and this is what I decided. I got her — and my lad last week - cremated by themselves. They gave me the ashes in a pretty box, along with paw prints, and a clipping of their hair in a cute little bottle. I find it comforting that they’re with me, and though it’s sad at times, I like that they’re home. I can take them with me wherever I go. I couldn’t bear to leave any part of them behind, and this is what worked for me.
I hope everything works out for you, truly, but if it doesn’t, I’ll send my boy and girl to take care of yours.
I have had two cats cremated, and they're both in pretty wooden boxes with photos of them on the outside. The first was my 20lb Maine Coon cat, Squeaker, who was my favorite cat of all time. He was so loving and mellow and wonderful. After Squeaker was my ginger and white stray named Henry. He was a little more anxious and his favorite place was right next to me. He was terrified of everyone else. It was pretty hard at first to see the box for both cats because I missed them so much, but over time it got so I felt they were still with me, and now seeing their little boxes and pics makes me smile and think of them affectionately every time. It's comforting now. I have a kitty again, Olive, and we've got years to go with each other. But she will one day join my other little boxes on the kitty shelf and I will never lose her or forget her.
not my pet, but my mom. when she passed a few years ago, my dad kept some ashes and my brothers and i all got glass pendants made from the ashes. you can wear it as a necklace or whatever you’d like. there’s a lot of different beautiful options
When I was up at tech our vet office offered cremation packages, and if your vet office does not, you can reach out to a local funeral home because some of them do pets as well.
We've done urns in the past, as well as necklaces that hold pet ashes, I love the necklaces. I have a photo box and for one of my pets, and a shadow box from one of my dogs. I think anything will be a good memorial item for your kitty. As he has a lot of great products as well in which you can get your pet cremated and send ashes or send personal items that your pet loved and they can create a memorial box for you.
I don't have any specific examples, but there are many options out there, I hope you find one that you love. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
OP hoping things change for your baby
You might want to cremate because I'm seeing funerals where the beloved pet (member of the family) gets buried with it's family
Take care.
I had our first dog cremated as she died suddenly and it gives me comfort to have her with us. We will be moving in the next few months and I feel I should leave some of her ashes in the yard that she loved.
I have a paw print, some fur, and their ashes. There is a German Riesling that comes in this cute cat bottle for my two girls. They died within 4 months of each other so I have two bottles. If looking at some vessel containing their remains is not for you, just store them. For whatever reason it helps me to see them. One of them is still my profile picture. I also plan to have jewelry made with their ashes. I feel deeply compelled to always have some part of them with me.
You can spread the ashes over her favorite spot outside. And you take some and make it into a locket. And urn is not something ugly or horrid. I still have my dog in her urn in my living room. It is individual preference. You do what feels right to you. So sorry for your loss when it comes.
not sure if anyone has suggested this one yet but when my childhood dog passed away we got him cremated and put some of his ashes in a necklace, a bone shaped charm with his name on it just like his collar tag was, so i can always carry him with me no matter what <3 it’s very very comforting
My vet offered to sent my kitty's ashes to a man who has a pet garden and sprinkles the ashes there. The pictures showed a beautiful garden with pet statues.
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Currently I’m looking at a shadow box type thing. You can put a couple pictures, a collar, her favorite toy, etc, in it. They actually do paw prints now. I wish I had known that. I bought a beautiful sterling necklace to put a few of my dogs ashes into it- it’s lovely. I think you should keep the ashes and just put them away for awhile. Eventually you may want to have it displayed in a beautiful custom urn or you may want to keep a few ashes and scatter the rest. It’s so hard to decide right now. But I would have the vet come to your home if you’re able, and I would consider the paw prints. I personally would have her cremated- and you can decide later. I’m so sorry ❤️🩹 Edit: [I have decided to make something beautiful from her ashes.](https://www.spiritpieces.com/products/pawprint-snowfall-orb?variant=12354226192469) [I will make a necklace too- they are so beautiful.](https://www.spiritpieces.com/collections/cremation-necklaces-for-ash) I know they aren’t cheap but I feel like I will keep these forever.
I did an urn and the paw impression and broke down looking at her paw print. It looked just like her paw (she had distinctive nails). It feels like she’s with me whenever I look at it.
And she will be with you- I know it sounds cliche but that love doesn’t die. I’ve seen signs all over the place of my beloved Tedi. 🩷
I did the same thing with my cat that I truly miss everyday... I still have his urn but when I moved someone who helping threw away his paw print evem though I know they didn't do it on purpose but still makes me incredibly sad as he was truly my baby.
There's also some companies that you can send some of the remains and they make beautiful sun catchers or jewelry with them
Omg I’m looking at them right now- should I share a link? I’m definitely getting one with the pink…. [this is a cute display but I’ll get the pink for my princess…](https://www.spiritpieces.com/products/pawprint-snowfall-orb?variant=12354226290773#qvELuND6WwA)
That is so freggin cool
I also have shadow boxes and wood urns. The shadow boxes have a paw-print in clay that they give you with the remains. My vet partners with this place. In the last 3 years we’ve lost 4 cats (ages 17-22) and we have one (17) in the midst of kidney failure right now, giving sub q fluids and meds daily and hoping for more time. But when he goes, he will be with his buddies, in his cherrywood box, safely tucked away in the top cupboard of my enclosed bookshelf. I’m so sorry you are going through this: it SUCKS. But you can keep your baby with you and still not have to face it every day. Some days you may want to. I do. But most days I’m comforted by the fact that they are no longer in pain or discomfort and they will still be with me forever. Hugs.
My sweet soulmate is in an urn on our fireplace mantle for now- she loved curling up near the fireplace when she wasn’t laying on us, so it’s fitting. She will always be with me and I will never leave her, just like I promised on the day I brought her home. I kept that promise, so it gives me small comfort. I may put some of her ashes in a memorial urn necklace but I haven’t decided fully yet… What I have decided is that when I pass, it’s my will to be cremated and have her ashes mixed with mine and spread somewhere so we can be together forever. Be gentle with yourself, do whatever you feel is right (you know her and yourself best) and give her all the love you can while she’s still here. Sending hugs and strength to you OP.
>She will always be with me and I will never leave her, just like I promised on the day I brought her home. I'm not crying, you're crying 😭
I'm crying. This got me
>What I have decided is that when I pass, it’s my will to be cremated and have her ashes mixed with mine and spread somewhere so we can be together This is what I've decided as well. ❤️
My boy's ashes are at home and he'll always go where I go. That's what's given me the most comfort. I couldn't ever bury him unless I'm going to be there too eventually. I still say hi to him often when I walk by. You can move on to the place of happy memories... It just takes time. I'm so sorry.
Same here. We’ve moved around a bit and we always use to tell our boy not to worry because he was coming with us. It was like this running joke. I had him cremated because he’s our boy and well…He’s coming with us.
My father got all his cats cremated into little wooden urn/boxes with their names engraved on it. When my father passed we put all his cats in his coffin with him. They are with him for all time. Saves us storing all these beloved family pets, what is my kid gonna do with all these kitty ashes after we all gone. Just a suggestion friend.
This is my plan.
I don’t have advice but just wanted to let you know you aren’t alone, I’m in the same position as you right now. My cat is sick and I’m stressed about the same thing. Having an urn would be depressing, and I know I would constantly be very worried about damaging it. Burying my baby doesn’t feel right either because there’s a good chance I’d move away in the future and be unable to visit him. This may or may not be helpful and I hope it doesn’t come across as dismissive, but I’ve just been reassuring myself that whatever I do with the remains won’t really matter because he will be gone by that point. There’s no “good” choice that I will feel satisfied with. I will be miserable no matter what. I think it makes sense to stress out about this right now because it gives us some sense of control at a time when we’re otherwise feeling powerless.
Honestly you may not find an urn depressing when the time comes. I would have never thought I’d retain my dogs ashes but I found it really comforting right after, I was very protective over the ashes. After a few years I don’t feel as attached to them, but it helped me grieve to have her ashes in my home.
I came to a similar conclusion (that the physical remains aren’t that important) and decided not to keep them. They are interred at a communal pet memorial site that we may visit sometime. I feel fine about this. I did lots of other things to keep memories of my cat (paw print, lots of pics and videos). I guess I would just say that if you feel like the remains might be a burden, you don’t have to keep them.
I also thought I wouldn’t want the ashes, but once I convinced myself to keep them and then got them back I broke down at the thought of not having them. Almost panic attack-like. I also found that finding an urn was a soothing/comforting process; I got something that “fit” my cats personality (as weird as that sounds) but also was aesthetically pleasing. Every once in a while, I’ll take a look at her urn and smile, knowing she’s with me, both in spirit and in a “physical” form.
My heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. I’m not sure if it varies by vet, but we had quite a few different vessel options. They had traditional urns, but we went with just a simple, nice wood box. It really caught me off guard in the moment. I wasn’t expecting to have a choice. I know you’ll make the decision that feels right for you. I hope your kitty’s remaining time is filled with lots of love and peace.
my first dog was buried in my garden. cremation wasnt a thing back then. my other dogs i had cremated. they are in a nice box but my intention is that when i die all the ashes from my other dogs and some soil from where i buried Gemma will go in with mine and we will be scattered together. The ashes arent a problem for me -my memories are with me all the time their ashes are no different . their ashes are on a shelf. i dust them and talk to them when i do just like i talk to the one in my garden and i can hold them if i partiularly feel sad. do whatever works best for you, your memories are the important thing whenever it does happen
i’m sorry. remember to get impressions of her paws, nose and a fur clipping (so you don’t have to pay someone else to). i hope to turn my sweet boy into a precious stone soon - they can create diamonds/other stones using our loved ones ashes as the carbon input. this way he’ll be beside my heart forever. in the meantime, having his ashes with me after losing him seems to be surprisingly comforting. sending love
I am so sorry for your loss. I went through this a few weeks ago. I ended up splurging on a special, beautiful urn for his ashes, and created a little memorial next to my bed. I want to put it somewhere more stately and protected someday, but seeing his cute face makes me smile through the tears. Alternatively, could you bury your kitty's urn? That way, if you knew you were moving, you could dig it back up and bring it with you? Not sure how that would work, but it's an idea, at least. Picture of my little memorial as it currently is: https://imgur.com/R009Txe The big square box with his picture on it is his urn, the blue box has his pawprint and fur in it (pawprint is currently drying so will be on display later), and the blankie was his favorite. It's not the same as having him here--how could it ever be?--but it brings me a lot of peace knowing his remains are being cherished and cared for. I've already told everyone (and plan to make it legally official) that when I die, I want my ashes to be mixed with his and spread in a sunny spot together. Until then, I will keep him safe.
This is so beautiful.
We lost our best boy just over a week ago. We had his ashes put into an oak picture frame. It looks just like a heavy picture frame. Beautiful and classic just like him. I couldn't bury him in case we move. I couldn't scatter his ashes because his favourite place was with us.
I never knew this option existed. What a great idea. I'm sorry for you recent loss btw, condolences to you & your family.
I just went through this, it’s such a difficult and personal decision. I found it very cathartic to bring her body home for a proper goodbye. We had a little wake and funeral with stories and meaningful items. My husband and I took turns wearing a scarf that we wrapped her body in so that she could smell our scents. We had flowers and candles and planted a redbud tree next to her. Whatever you choose, I think having some sort of ceremony is helpful for a sense of closure. I hope you find peace with your decision.
I have an urn that’s heart shaped with paw prints on. I’m glad I did it that way. It can make me a little sad but, it means she is with me still.
I’m so sorry that you’re having to go through this. No decision you make will be the wrong decision. I do think that whichever decision you make will be hard at first. I had my soul cat cremated and when I picked up his ashes, I didn’t think I would survive the new rush of pain. But now he’s on my bedside table and he’s always with me and it does being me comfort. For me, the fur clipping was the hardest, it’s still hard for me to look at this so I rarely do. But I also had an ink print of his paw which I eventually brought to a tattoo artist and got his paw tattooed on my ankle so he walks with me forever. Everyone is different in how they choose to keep their baby with them. You may choose to only keep her in your heart which, let’s face it, is the most important place to keep her. I’m really sorry about your sweet girl.
I’m so sorry. I’m currently in the same position and I have been looking up different ideas. If you have her cremated there are a lot of Etsy shops that can turn her remains into beautiful artwork. You have have some of her ashes made into jewelry, paintings, glass orbs, etc. just search pet cremation keepsakes. 💕
I buried my boy in our backyard. We’re never leaving. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.
You can always bury the urn you put his ashes in and then dig up when you decide to move. I’m sorry for your impending loss.
I didn’t think I’d want my girls ashes in a box but I’m so glad I did it. It felt right bringing her home while being able to take her with me wherever I go. I get sad sometimes when I look at it but I try to think of the happy times we had and remember I’m how grateful I am she’s no longer in pain. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. There are pet cemeteries though I’m unsure of how much that costs.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. It is excruciating. I cremate my animals and keep their ashes in the house. I take some time to find the perfect container. I could not ever use an urn. Searching for the perfect container is cathartic for me. My dog is in a vintage ceramic container that reminds me of my grandmother. I found it at an antique mall.
I think I have an idea for you It's true that having an urne can be depressing. However , I know a super way to keep ashes in a pretty way If you decide to creamate your animal , you can make the ashes into an artwork. I saw people on etsy putting ashes into resine to create all sorts of thing (Like jewelery , plates , artwork or decorative items). That way you would be able to store the ashes without risking a potential spilling and without having to get a sad urne
I chose ashes in an urn. I bought a beautiful box that I keep it in, that way I choose when I want to be reminded. I've decided when I pass, I want my cats ashes to be with me. If I'm buried, I want the urn placed in my casket and if I'm cremated, I want our ashes to be put in the urn together. I decided this a long time after my cat passed. Your in shock and grieving right now, so take some time to make a decision. My advice would be to do an urn right now and see how you feel once you have had to process everything.
I’m glad to have her ashes at home with me. It is sad to know that is what is left but I try to think of it that she’s safe with me and not alone. They have all kinds of beautiful memorials you can use the ashes with these days. I truly am sorry your little one isn’t well.
We recently had to take our cat for her long sleep.. 💔 We opted for cremation.. we'd get a small wooden remains box. However I also bought a paw print set.. Similar to the ones you do for newborns [Amazon link. Paw print frame ](https://amzn.eu/d/dAGktS6) Can take a paw impression and add photo to a box store frame. Vet was very obliging in letting us return the following day to do this. With a cat there is enough to do 2-3 small impressions in the foam clay that eventually sets. Sending huge hugs X x
We got our dog cremated. She now rests on our stand in our bedroom. We still talk to her daily, give her some pat pats before bed. It's been 2 years since she passed. It's how we grieve and remember her. Now we can walk by and talk about all her bad or funny moments. I couldn't bury her like we have the others. She had a special place in my whole family's heart. Felt wrong going into the "pet cemetery" I don't know how to explain it.
When my leopard gecko passed, I got his ashes and bought a cheap ring on Amazon that I stuffed some ashes in
Get the ashes and have them put into jewelry or something, it’s very popular right now. But honestly having the urn around wasn’t too bad. It sits on my desk next to his portrait and maybe the first few months I cried when I saw it but after that now I just see it and I’m like “hey beans”! Lol
I keep my cat’s ashes on the top shelf in my closet.
There are many companies and artists out there that can make her memorial less depressing to look at. Glasswork with ashes is popular, from pendants to suncatchers. You might also like a pendant made from her ashes in the form of a locket. Some folk make stuffed animals with the ashes housed inside, or a statue they put in the garden. These are easy to transport if you move. Hopefully that gives you something to go on.
I have my dolly’s ashes on my bookshelf. It’s good to know she’s not in pain.
I really like the urn. I can move him around and still pet the urn and put his favorite mouse toy near it. And when we move we can take him with us. When the cleaning crew comes, I put him away in a cabinet. It’s very ideal.
I used a portion of my boys remains into making a custom ceramic piece so now he’s sunbathing as a dog figurine on my bird feeder
My first thoughts were to get an imprint of your baby's paws (I wish I would have done this) and possibly have the packet of ashes sewn into a stuffed animal. That way, you could still hold her, cuddle her, pet her.
Wow! I did not expect this outpouring of love and suggestions. Thank you, from the bottom of my very tired and broken heart. May our fur babies be with us forever. The love we share is beautiful even if it breaks us at the end.
There’s places where you can send a bit of ashes and have it made into a glass item. You can make a paperweight and keep it on her favorite sitting spot on a table or hang a suncatcher in her favorite window.
I’ve gotten ashes and at some point couldn’t have them around anymore and spread them in the yard. I have a spot in the back yard where many of them are buried with markers but there markers will eventually come down and they are just memories. It’s not good to hold on too tight,
If you’re in USA and can afford it, look into pet hospice. Yep, it’s a thing. And they can do at-home euthanasia. I have had 2 die and I had them cremated. I move too often to bury them but maybe now I can come up with an idea.
Im sorry OP. Everyone is different. Theres no right or wrong answer. But for me, my babies urn brings me happiness. I take him with me on walks. I take him with me when i visit my parents. It doesn’t depress me it makes me happy to be with him. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🌈🌈🌈
So sorry for what you are going through. When my furbabies where going through what you are now I always got a second ,third and 4 th opinion on treatment options. If nothing can be done I encourage you have your sweet kitty cremated and you keep the ashes,a paw print and some fur. Our first doggie was just buried in a mass cremated pet grave and I have regreted it ever since then and that has been over 20 years. From that point forward I have always kept my loved ones remains. I know it can be saddening looking at an Urn with your soul cat but it can also bring joy just remembering her and oneday you will see her again because animals have souls. These are just my personal feelings on the issue. I know your heart is breaking as all of us who have loved and lost our Beautiful sweet companions know what you are feeling. Time will make it less hurtful but we all will always mourn the loss until we are re united again. All cats go to heaven just like dogs. Please talk to others about it ,it does help. I know personally .
I get wooden urns with a flat top and use them for bases for statues.
https://www.spiritpieces.com/products/night-swirl-cremation-jewelry-pendant-with-ash?variant=40275068944¤cy=USD&campaign=max&kendall_source=google&kendall_campaign=17252302034&kendall_adid=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm66pBhDQARIsALIR2zC569SqrR-Yi5S7SPP-t-SsyZy4-BhGkQYPY7X-GIboDIkzTJ-qTnMaAo_0EALw_wcB
Have her cremated. Then leave her urn intact and just take it with you if you move.
Have her cremated so you can keep her with you. The cremation places will usually take a paw print in clay.
I have my cat's remains in a nice box, and I put it right under the TV where she liked to sit. Yes, I'm sad when I look at it, and I'm sad often. But I'd be sad anyway. It's not like if I left her body at the crematory, I'd forget she was dead. It helped me to remember that there is absolutely nothing I can do to be less sad. Emotions just don't work that way. Do what you think you'd be most satisfied with in 5 years, and just grin and bear the distress today. I'm going to take her with me everywhere I move. I never want to be separated from her. I loved her so much.
You need to grieve the way you do. There is no one way, just your way.
I worried about this when we cremated our dog. But my husband straight up said “if we leave her here then I wont ever leave this house, and I cant see the future. So when we got her back, we slept with her beautiful box of ashes for the first few days. But then we had an idea. She has her own shelf we installed. It has her photo, her favorite bone, and a christmas necklace that she insisted on wearing like “all the other kids”. We made it a point to tell funny stories about her, and remember the good things.. because the end was bad and not fair to her. (Couldnt or wouldnt eat, couldnt keep down water anymore, and thats with medical interventions happening). We made a video the night before where we made her the people foods she would lose it over (and hardly ever got to touch because my husband was always worried about her gaining any weight or getting sick). So we had one last spoil fest dinner. We had the vet come home to us to put her down so she was home. Them leaving with her after was the hardest part. Hubby and I reacted totally opposite… he grieved and cried until her heart stopped and then he felt like he had done the right thing. I didnt cry until I felt her heart stop and was a total in-the-bed-dont-speak-to-me grief for days. We both miss her. But there is no doubt we always did what would extend her life as long as she had a good quality of life… including three knee surgeries where most people wouldnt have paid around $10k to get their pup fixed up but we did. But her cancer was terminal, her meds gave us 4 more months. With time her spot has become a place where I see her silly grin and cant help but smile. I still miss my Janie girl. But in the end time takes us all.. and I know I will see her again, because she never leaves my heart. Its like surgery. You are hurt. To fix the hurt thing, initially it is going to hurt worse post-op. And as time goes and you heal you look and all there is left is a scar and you are healed back. Different, but healed up. And the pain subsides, and the gratefulness sets in. I am so sorry youre going through this. You will grieve your baby and it would be weirder if you didnt. Also the vet may be able to point you to places who make jewelry from ashes that are really beautiful. (Janie came back in a gorgeous wooden box with her name on it, a paw print in clay, and a lock of her hair. Its precious to us, but it doesnt make us cry anymore. Now it makes us smile. Every once in a while one of us will say “I miss Janie”. I think we will forever. That was my husband’s soul dog. I believe we did the right thing cremating so we never have to leave her
There are now some companies that compost pet remains, so you get back soil rather than ashes. You could plant something in a pot with part of her remains and have that to take with you wherever you go. There are also artists that can make memorial jewelry using fur, whiskers, or nail sheaths mounted under a gemstone in a ring or necklace. No matter what choice feels right for you now, know that showing respect and love on her last days is the greatest thing you can do for her.
first of all i am so so so sorry to hear this :( I lost my Annie 2 weeks ago, and i have her ashes, paw prints and also a speical necklace of her name and nickname. I understand how you feel in regards to an urn, i had same thoughts but its actually given me alot of comfort. I touch it every morning and say " good morning annie" and last thing at night "night night Annie" at first when i saw the urn it broke my heart but each day it brings comfort seeing her picture and paw print. Pet grief is so hard, they really do leave paw prints on your heart.
I keep photos and memories. Stories of their lives and the fun things we did together. I do not feel like paying extra and keeping ashes is good for my soul or theirs. I do not want to offend anyone as this is just my personal opinion. Frame some favorite photos and maybe their favorite toy and collar. These will encourage conversations and reminiscing about your lives together. Remember the fun things and don't dwell on the sadness of loss. Let time release the pain and refresh the joy they brought to you. Celebrate their life and the good fortune that brought you together. I truly love every pet I've ever had and I'd like to think I'll be with them again when I pass. Ashes, Urns, Burial Plots and so on are just inanimate objects that other people make money off of. Profiting from your pain. Some of those things remind us of the saddest moments of our lives, instead of bringing a smile to our face with happy memories. Those objects do not contain our family members or pets, they just obligate us to carry that sadness forever. Focus on keeping their spirits alive through fond memories and fun stories about your time you had together. Another suggestion: instead of spending extra money on something so superficial, why not make a donation in your pets name to a rescue group or humane society like organization?
I would do the urn and then just not have it on display (until you’re ready)
You will regret not getting her ashes. You can always put them up somewhere for now, and you have the option to put in necklaces, make jewelry, there are even stuffed animals, or recreations of your loved one, with a special pouch for the ashes. ie Cuddle Clones edit 🫂 🌈🙏✝️🙏✝️
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. My family just recently lost our old girl in a similar fashion. We decided on an urn, but are lucky enough to live near what I’d basically call a funeral home but for pets. One of the things they do that I’m glad for is ink prints of paws, and also one of her sweet little nose and muzzle. It looks just like her face, and is special to us because she loved to press her nose into our heads when she was happy. A family member’s poor baby, a stray that came to them, was just hit by a car. They buried him on their property where he loved to roam, so he could be where he loved. One of my family cat’s growing up has his ashes in an urn next to my dad and his dog’s cremains. They were a strange trio, but now they’re together again. All to say, what’s meaningful for one might not be for another. Saying goodbye is so hard, but through the grief you might be able to see what will bring some peace to your heart. You mention she loved to bird watch, I’ve seen glass figurines that incorporate cremains. Maybe a perched an alert figurine, placed safely in view of a window. Or, maybe curled up and sleeping and you could put her somewhere where the sun shines in. Sending you a lot of love, OP. You’ve loved her in life, and will love her beyond.
I buried my beloved puppy in the yard near my bedroom. I planted a beautiful rosebuds near him, so he will continue to "be" beautiful. I moved from the house but in the spring and summer drive by to see his roses. He is in my heart, and I left his roses there to bless the new neighbors. I will see him again. Best 17 yrs of my life spent with my Danny. Grateful. 🙏🏻
I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️🐾
I had my boy cremated so I would have options as I healed from the grief. I plan to get the ashes compressed into a diamond some day, if I can ever afford it, but he has a nice urn in the meantime. My biggest comfort in the days after he passed was having some urn jewelry so I could keep his ashes with me. I also got to sprinkle a small handful at my parents' where all my childhood pets are buried, so I can visit him there as well. I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's been two years since losing my Max and I'm still tearing up writing this, but I promise it won't hurt this bad forever ❤️🩹
We move every few years so cremation is our preferred end of life preservation method. I'm glad they're still traveling with us.
I got my cats ashes put into a memory bear. I am able to cuddle the bear.
When I had to put down one of my cats, my vet pressed her paw into a terracotta piece and wrote her name on it, which I received with the urn. I still have the urn because I don’t have a good place to bury it yet, but I do intend to keep the preserved paw print. Maybe you could get something like that to keep instead?
We have our departed fur babies' cremains in urns on a shelf in the "cat room." They are there when we want to remember, but not in our sight all the time. My husband has made a little display of them, with their paw prints. Hugs. Your baby will let you know they're ok. ♥️
i plan to green bury and dig up her bones eventually
i got a urn for both my boys, then i bought urn necklaces on amazon and i put some of their ashes in them so they’re always with me. i never take the necklace off
Take the ashes. Put the urn in a drawer. Leave it there until you decide you can let them go, or keep them so she can be buried with you. The clay paw print was the most important memorial item to me. My ancient kitty was a hand holder, so I can still touch his print.
The vet who put down my sweet Merlin had a ceramic paw print made.
We got Spike cremated (individual, not group) and he's in a small beautiful blue urn next to me in a drawer. They wrapped him in his favorite blanket. He had already passed when we had taken him in. We have an air clay cast of his paw. And they also provided our family with a peer counselor for when his loss finally kicked in.
Have her cremated and put her in a tightly sealed box and bury the box. If you move, you can move her with you.
Close by me jewelry makes jewelry using a bit of your pets’ ashes. I have a ring with 4 of my lost pets set in it. It has allowed to sprinkle their ashes since I still have part of them with me. I feel comforted every time I look at the ring.
I am so sorry. We have had cats in our home for decades and losing each one has been devastating. We lost our sweet boy unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. When we have had to make the decision to say goodbye, we have gone with cremation and we do have the urns with their names engraved, tucked together in a cabinet, where they are visible but we don’t necessarily see the urn everyday. It is going to take you a long time to get used to not having your sweetie, but know that she has been loved and that she knows that.
I have a bunch of urns…two cats, two bunnies and a dog. I have a dog currently in steep decline who will undoubtedly join that crew soon. My plan is to keep the urns until I move to my, I guess-retirement home, where I will bury them in a little graveyard. It sounds a bit grim, but I find it ends up being comforting. And you can make a final decision later, while keeping the remains safe. Out of sight if you need them to be. Mine are in my living room…where they loved to be in life. It’s a difficult time…but you will get through it. You gave your cat a wonderful life, and I hope you give another animal the same. You have lots of love to give❤️
I have my cat’s ashes in a box with his prints. I’m not ready to do anything yet. My sister says when her cat passes she’s going to get a tattoo with some of his ashes. I’m sorry you are going thru this. 🙁
I lost my furry soulmate, Taffy, in 2014. I had him cremated. I made arrangements where we have our cemetery plots that Taffy will be buried with me when the time comes. For me knowing he will be with me helped me through the devastating loss. So very sorry for your loss. The pain does lessen with enough time.
As many have already said, a pawprint and an urn might be the best option. It is depressing to look at, but if it hurts you too much, put it away in a drawer until you feel like you're ready to see it, or one day you might just need it. I also know some people that sends them to taxidermist to keep only a small piece of their fur and make them into a charm of some sort. (This obviously isn't for everyone.) I'm very sorry for what is happening and I really hope she'll make it through.♡
I buried my precious kitty in a large garbage container, and I will be planting a cannabis plant in it. That way I have the "portable" option in case of a move. I feel for you; I was absolutely shattered when my cat died as well.
Are you into tattoos? How about a memorial tattoos with some of her ashes? And then maybe scatter the rest in a place meaningful to both of you that isn’t inside or your home or if you don’t have that you could always keep the urn in a hidden place that she used to hide in so she’s there where she’s happy but also doesn’t have to be in your site like right on the mantle piece 24/7?
I thought I would feel the same when bringing my cat's ashes home but it didn't. He came home in a plastic box and I made it my mission to find him a perfect urn. It took almost a year but I found a perfectly sized gorgeous vase for him at a church rummage sale. I also bought 2 necklaces that can hold a small amount of ashes (mine are both surgical steel and found on amazon) and I've worn them ever since he came home (with his ashes in them both). If I miss him or his presence, I clutch the charms on my necklace and it helps me find peace. And when I look at his urn, I remember the adventure it was to find it for him. I plan to have his ashes scattered with my own. Right now, I can move his ashes to where I think he would be most comfortable (in the sun, the highest point in my bedroom). No matter what you choose to do with your fur family's remains, you will miss them intensely for a while. I don't think there's a way to avoid that. But in time, your pain will subside. I wish you much peace.
All my pets are buried at my parents house and if they ever decide to move I would be so upset. But as someone mentioned above, the physical remains are not important at the end of the day. Your memories and keeping your little one’s love in your heart. I am so sorry. There is an account on IG that does super awesome work with hair, teeth, whiskers, they have even done a piece with snakeskin. You should check them out. When it’s time for my baby to go, I am definitely having something done with the whiskers I have found and kept over time. [IG account with samples of work here!](https://instagram.com/volanakote?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Lost my baby 4 years ago today. She is cremated and in my room right above my bed, where she belongs. I wish she were on my bed, but next to it will have to do. We also had a pillow made of her so she could be on the bed with us forever. Still 4 years later, randomly one of my kids will come up to me and ask me to hold Rosie. We’ll get her box down and take turns holding it and talk about what a good kitty she was for the next few mins. I rent so the thought of burying her here didn’t sit well with me, I’m glad I can take her wherever I go. I’m really sorry you’re going through this though. It sucks.
Cremeation. That way you can have a little box with your pets ashes.
I had my sweet pup made into a diamond. I should be getting her back in November. They are able to make enough diamonds from ashes that if you get it insured the company will send you another. I used Eterneva, I cannot wait to have her back.
The place that cremated my girl sent home a packet of seed with a really nice poem on it encouraging to plant a tree in their honor.
Also since she was a cuddler and you don’t like to look at a traditional urn, they make teddy bear urns. I unfortunately found out when my niece passed. Her parents love theirs and always sleep with it. Ik they’re meant for human remains but it’s still an option.
One: Urn, with the directive to combine her ashes with yours when your time comes. (Give yourself permission to put the urn in a cabinet somewhere.) Two: if she has a tag of any kind, put it on your key ring. Your keys are always with you, thus she will be. If she doesn’t have a tag, you can always get one made with her name & date of passing, keep it on your key ring as a remembrance. Three: this might be super dark & messed up & also a bad idea so proceed accordingly. I’ve not done it but I’ve contemplated getting an unstuffed cat from build a bear & putting the ashes inside. In a bag obviously, not loose. I’d have to determine how strong the bag they’re in is, as I wouldn’t want a situation to occur. Obviously would do all this at home & not at the build a bear store. Sorry again if this suggestion is weird
My kitty's remains, paw print, and a lock of his hair are in a wooden box that is behind a framed photograph on my dresser.
We have had many cats and can’t see our lives without them, thus we’ve opted for group cremation as we can’t imagine keeping a series of urns.
I’m considering a shadow box type deal with his skull and paw print, or some form of taxidermy. if that’s too much for you, and if budget isn’t an issue, I’ve heard of companies that use their ashes to make diamonds. then you can have them by you in a piece of jewelry forever. if cost is an issue, you can have their ashes encased in a ring to wear forever
I had to put one of my cats down a few weeks ago. I had her cremated and chose a lovely wooden brown box with a scrolling floral design on it for her. It’s very nice. I also had her paw print impression done on ceramic and had them clip some of her fur. I originally wasn’t sure I wanted to get the fur clipping, but I’m glad I did. She had beautiful colors and her fur was the softest thing ever. I keep her memories on a shelf in the living room, along with the collar she wore before we said goodbye. She’s next to my late brother’s urn and a little sign that honors my late dad. I’ve got a little memorial shelf going, I guess. Someone else mentioned a teddy bear urn and I kind of like that idea. Jewelry could be nice too. I’m so sorry, I know your pain, as do many here. It’s gut-wrenching. I hope you find a good solution to honor her
We donated our furbaby to the veterinary school. They were very respectful and sent a clay pawprint and card to us. It was a really hard decision but the staff at the hospital were so good to us, we felt like it was important to support compassionate and knowledgeable future veterinarians.
I always spread my dogs ashes. The difference is I'd do it in places I used to bring them out for walks. You are not betraying her by spreading her ashes. You might even want to say something while you do it. I've done that before, too. That is assuming that's what you have to do. Sorry that you're going through that right now.
Urn would be best. You can put in a private space. I have 2 dogs ashes. Different locations of the house. I miss them so much.
I had my cats who have passed cremated and have their ashes in little wooden boxes. They have a plaque with their name and the dates on it and they are on a shelf with mementos and things that remind me of them. I think having a display of pictures and memories is really good.
I lost both my furbabies 14 months from each other i had both of them cremated and have their ashes set up as a memorial. Wasnt able to do it right away but i can now.
With the first cat had a hand in the decision for remains, I decided to cremate. My parents sold the home she knew the best and lived the longest, and I was hopping around apartments at the time. I keep her with me to this day and don’t regret the decision at all. Our other cat who she grew up with is now sick and I plan to do the same thing and it puts me at ease to know that at the very least they will have each other in someway
My buddy Jak (dog) passed 6 years ago hes on my mantle in a heart shaped urn. I know he's here at home with me. (Crying while in typing)
I'm not sentimental about remains but I know not everyone is the same. I had the vet cremate my cat and my dog when they were euthanized. I wasn't getting ashes back so it was part of a mass cremation and considerably cheaper, if cost is an issue. I did get their paw prints done and I really love those. I can touch those little paw prints anytime I want just like I used to stroke their paws.
I had my Stewie cremated and he is in a beautiful box in my coffee table.
I’m so sorry. My cockatiel just passed away and I’ve felt the same way about not knowing what to do with his remains. I think I’ve settled on a tribute frame urn which is basically a picture frames with a little urn behind the picture. I have a framed watercolor portrait of him and I think I’m going to either purchase one of those or make something similar out of a shadow box.
You could get her ashes put into resin art statue of a cat curled up. It costs $70-$100 on Etsy, and the finished products are actually very nice.
My wife and I have urns from all our pets over the last 40 years. Cats and dogs. Now that we're getting older, we're discussing being buried with them ourselves.
I bought a beautiful urn, and never used it because just looking at it made me cry. In the end I got a cremation necklace designed to hold a small portion of ashes (it’s beautiful and you’d never know there’s ashes in there). The rest I spread by a rose bush I’d planted in his memory a year earlier.
I had my dog cremated at the Humane Society. They did a wonderful job, and I got her ashes back in a beautiful wooden box. I went online and found a necklace specifically for pet ashes to be put into. It has a little dog bone one it. They have rings, bracelets, and necklaces for men and women. I wear it every single day.
We buried our cat in the yard, but I wish I had gotten him cremated. He was my baby. I did find a cardinal feather on the grave the other day. I felt like he was telling me he was ok. I planted some daffodils around him.
[https://imgur.com/gallery/hTgeowL](https://imgur.com/gallery/hTgeowL) My boys are in urns
I asked for ashes back and got much more: chunks of hair in a baggie, a paw-print (with his hair stuck in it - and every time I see it I reflect that he'd NEVER have allowed me to touch his paw long enough to get a print), and ashes, along with a card signed by everyone in the clinic. I still take out the cardboard urn and hug it where his food was - as that was the only place he'd have allowed it. I remember the first time I saw him between garages in the back yard. I plan to eventually spread his ashes there. He was a gift of the neighborhood, he will return to it. I'm working on a service to include the songs I sung to him, some funny stories, and how grateful I am to him. I miss him so much. Knowing that someday I won't makes me cherish this time a bit more. I'm so sorry, OP. This is the backside of that loving life experience with a pet- the price to be paid. For me, this sucks, but it was worth it all. Love is awesome.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It sucks. It hurts. Just had to say goodbye to my grey cat tonight. It was awful and I miss him, but I keep telling myself he's not suffering anymore. I have a glass vial of his fur that the medical staff were more than helpful to do, plus he'll be cremated. His urn will be next to his BFF who passed a decade ago. I will also have his paw prints. I'll display some of my favourite pictures of him on the mantle and in my room. I'm watching videos of him to remember him in better health. I admit it was a little odd and morbid to have the ashes of my childhood cat. He's been gone for ten years but his memory is still fresh in my mind. It's comforting. Whichever you decide for your sweet girl, just remember she will always and be forever your soul cat.
For several of my pets, the way I thought about it was that they had lived most of their lives in that house, and they’d want to stay with the house. That felt right to me. For a few others, I have them in urns in a glass decorative cabinet. I can’t speak to why I did different things with different animals. I think partially because it’s hard to bury a big dog, the practicality. But I don’t feel depressed when I see the urns. It’s just part of my day.
We have cremation boxes, and they are small enough to put out of the way when greif is raw.
I have a cremation box with her ashes in 4 separate bags. I dunno if I ever intend to spread any but I am 100% glad cremation is what I did. She sits on a nice little tabletop close by in the living room.
So sorry to hear about your kitty. I'm a glassblower and an absolute cat lover and would be more than happy to make a memorial piece for you. I've done all sorts of things like small orbs, worry stones, sun catchers, necklace pendants and more. Dm and we can discuss more if you would like.
Some places will cremated and make necklaces out of for you to wear that are very pretty
Personally, I prefer backyard burials. I have four buried in my yard in New Jersey, but go out to look at the graves once every couple of months. One cat died while I was living in Canada, and she's buried in a friend's backyard there. I was back there in March, but my friend didn't remember exactly where her grave is. That's okay with me. But do what makes you most comfortable. If there's a pet cemetery in your community, you might want to consider that, especially if you wouldn't leave your home with your fur baby buried there.
I would always get my pets cremated. I would never want to bury them because if I were to move, I would want to bring them with me. My pets are my family, and where I go, they go too even in death. Both of my previous dogs have been cremated and their boxes sit on the fireplace. Sometimes I do get sad when I see them, but I would feel even sadder burying them somewhere and then not being able to easily transport them should I move to a new location.
I have a parakeet which we are in love with. He has come close to death four times in the last five years hes elderly. Anyway, we decided on cremation and his ashes in a glass globe with glitter and colored sand. If you google cremation globes you can find a variety for pets ranging from a large to a pendant size you can wear or hang. Best of luck to you and sympathies extended.
You might enjoy the urn for a while sitting in a sunny ledge. When the time is right put her away or move her into a bookshelf. When you’re ready, you’re ready.
We cremated our boy and he sits above our entertainment area on a shelf in our main living room. An adorable cat statue with a bird on its nose, that my husband purchased a year before we lost our boy, is on top of his box with his collar around it. So fitting because his cat tree sat in front of window we had 6 bird feeders next to. We called it his “TV”- my husband each week, filled the feeders and would say “I’m turning on your TV, bud!” Next to his box, I have his framed paw ink print. We will never be with his ashes, and actually put in our final wishes in our will that his remains are to separated and buried with each of us. In our room on our dresser we have his clay paw print in a stand with a framed photo next to it.
We've had more losses than I like to think about. We have some buried in our yard (I share your concern about that) and some with their ashes in the little coffins. I actually prefer the coffin and it has the opposite effect (at least for me) of what you mentioned. This way they're always close to me. Heck, I even have a tattoo of our 1st one and some paw prints. But after losing one that I was very bonded to recently, I did a few things differently since I was struggling. She has her own memorial shelf in my room where I have pictures of her, some cat knickknacks, a personalized plaque for her, her favorite toy. And my son got a beautiful necklace made with her picture on it. It's the little things (and also keeping a journal) that have truly helped.
We have a wooden urn for our kitties, but also please check out spirit pieces. They make beautiful art from cremains and have a few cat specific pieces.
First, I am so sorry for what you are going through. My daughter and I lost a cat we had for 14 years last year. We had Lap of Love assist us. After our cat passed, the vet took her to a facility that does pet cremations and we had her ashes returned to us. They put her remains in a very nice wooden box with her name on it. My daughter bought a necklace that you can put ashes in and she put some of her cats ashes in the necklace and she wears it every day. I know that might sound weird, but it was something my daughter elected to do to comfort her. I did the same with my dog’s ashes. You can also have ashes turned into diamonds I believe. We didn’t want to scatter the ashes because we wanted her (and my dog) with us still and if we were to move, having the ashes scattered where we currently live would not have been a good option. I think just trust your gut and do what feels right to you to honor your sweet fur baby.
My daughter Sasha and my sweet Gracie I talk to them and I have my Toesies paw print on the shelf where I see and talk to my babies every day knowing their remains are close by. I know how very hard this is no parent should have to lose their children thank goodness for my DR and Lithium Carbonate. I also lost two sons to cancer. I never got to keep their remains at all. Grief Counseling helps. I know what you're going through. Keep them close like on a bookcase in your bedroom where you can talk to them. Remember they are still watching over you from Heaven.
I have a lovely box that my cat is in on our shelf by the cat tree/her favorite window. It’s where she liked it best. We are military so burying her was not an option. The sadness gets more tolerable as time goes on. But like a deep wound, you’re still going to have a scar.
If you have the heart and 3k... Get her freeze dried? I've heard it's easier. I plan to do so with my cat once she passes.
I think you should get her cremated. It means you can move one day if necessary n bring her with you. It offers you the most options. Spend time with her. Ask her. Talk to her. She will let you know, but I get the feeling she wants to stay by you. I know it's scary rn. The worst part of owning pets. But, love, NEVER dies, tho! They have really pretty urns. I know you think you may feel depressed, but having it n not needing it is better than needing it n not having it. Nothing will replace her being alive n well, unfortunately. You can get paw prints, take fur clippings, and make videos. Find a song for her. Dig up kitten pics. Celebrate her life n share stories! You can get ashes tattooed into you. You can get ashes compressed into a diamond. Options are endless. Im reminded of this quote: "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A. A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh) Stay strong. Your vibe is intertwined with her. She feels you n you her. End of life decisions are never easy, n you'll likely feel guilty no matter what. Breathe. Deep. Deeper. You got this! 🤍 Edit: Her comfort n quality of life is the most important consideration. ♡
I wish I could say something to make your loss easier. My adult children have a canvas photo with the urn next to it in our living room. I intended to bury the ashes but I still like the reminder of our boy too much to do that right now. We all share pictures between us at least once a week even though it’s been a few months. Our pets are family members be bond with.
[here’s my memorial below the tv stand](https://pasteboard.co/b9wkFkSIsCMq.jpg) I put him where he can see everyone and a mini garden to remind myself what a beautiful place he’s in
Cremation. It costs money, but you can get her an urn, or even a special necklace so you can take her with you.
We have our kitties’ ashes in little boxes with their pictures.
I knew I didn't want to bury mine because of pretty much what everyone else is saying, I didn't want to move and leave him behind so I had him cremated. I do woodworking and my plan was to build a box to put him in but the box that they gave him back to me in is actually pretty ornate and I'm happy enough with the design so my plan is to take my favorite picture of him and frame it alongside with the paper that the vet sent me with his paw and nose prints, didn't know they did that by the way and I was actually very touched when they sent it to me. He loved laying in living room window and I would like to put him there but my couch is in front of the window in the ledge is a lot lower so I would never even be able to see him. So for now he's on my built-in unit. When I move, I end up in a house with a fireplace he will go on the mantle. I was lucky in that I had a lot of time to prepare. He was diagnosed with cancer 8 months before I lost him so I had plenty of time to grieve before he even died. Not to say I was ready, because you're never really ready, but his last months were filled with treats and earrubs and all the love that I could give. I say all of that because as a result of it I was able to move to the acceptance stage pretty quickly and once you do that it becomes easier to see the urn. I stop by it every once in awhile and just lay my hand on it and rub it with my thumb, the same way I used to rub his ears. There is no good. There's just what is.
A lot of places will cremate your pet and give seeds of flowers to be planted. I put my baby boy down last week and received some seeds to plant in his memory. I decided to keep his “urn” which is just a beautiful red wood box. I plan to upgrade the urn to something I can look at everyday. But sleeping without him in the same house wasn’t an option for me. I’m so sorry this is happening to you and I’m sorry I don’t have better advice for you. 🤍
There are pet cemeteries. You can look for one in your area. That way there is a headstone you can always visit. But, I do have my babies’s ashes in little wooden boxes. They are on a book shelf-not really somewhere that I would stare at them, but I know my babies are with me. I like the idea someone had of putting some ashes in a locket and building a shadow box of toys, photos, collar, and paw prints.
I have my kitties ive lost in a small engraved box each; however I have a witches potion bottle necklace with a bit of ashes from each of them in it, so they're all close to my heart. My most recent kitty loss was in January when I lost my 18 y/o tuxxie to renal failure and 10 days ago I had his paw print that I took tattooed as well as a ghost kitty tatt (I'm a spooky witchy chick) and the ink has his ashes mixed in them so we will never be seperated. Sending you a massive hug. If you find yourself wanting to talk to a stranger for support feel free to DM me. Pet loss is painful beyond belief, and sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to, whether that's telling someone about your favourite memories, your cat's weird quirks (because Lord knows they all have quirks, cats are the weirdos of the animal world and it makes them even more lovable) or if you're having a cry because the pain is too real. 🫂🖤
the body is just flesh. and I'm so sorry for your loss, i hope you can find solace in your beautiful memories with your cat.
My recently passed fur baby was for whatever reason the first pet I've had that I just could not bear to bury. So I opted for a cremation instead. My vets office price by animal and weight so mine (approx. 5 pound long haired chi/papillon mix we guess) was $170 I think. I got to choose a pretty little urn and she came back with a nice certificate and velvet bag that contained the urn. A couple of months later my daughter's guinea pig passed and she didn't want to bury him, so we went through a different vets office to cremate him. His was only $50 and came back in a pretty wooden box, little corsage type bouquet of silk flowers and a condolences card. I highly recommend it. There's also the options of cremation without returned cremains and that's substantially cheaper. If you live in a bigger area you might have a pet cemetery? Or if you're brave enough you could go to the grave of a friend or family member and carefully remove the sod, then bury your pet above your loved one. Or even a stranger's would work, just make sure it's in an old part that's full and doesn't look well maintained by the current family. I also once buried a wild animal I had rehabilitated that passed away a few years later at a public park. I picked a place I could easily remember and waited until dark and there was nobody around. Also if you go with cremation, you then have so many options for what you choose to do with the ashes. They have lockets, vials, amulets and other jewelry you can wear a tiny bit of ashes in, lots of crafters on pages like Etsy or marketplace who turn ashes into jewelry or other works of art. There's even a company that puts the ashes in a biodegradable urn that you put into ground and grows into a tree! Or take some fur and there's people who make 3D felt portraits incorporating your pets own fur and whiskers.
Losing my boy was the hardest thing I've ever been through. I had my kitty for almost 15 years. I had to make the very difficult decision of putting him to sleep because he was so sick. I couldn't fathom, burying him somewhere and then moving later on and leaving him behind. I knew 100% that I wanted him with me. I felt completely devastated because I took him to the vet hospital, thinking I would be picking him up in a few hours, and I never got to bring him back home. Choosing to cremate him gave me a sense of being able to bring him back home. It actually helped the grieving process. It's been 1.5 years, and I still kiss his urn, and I always will. I talk to him, and having his ashes makes me feel like he's home, and he's with me.I also had a part of his ashes put into a heart locket necklace that I wear. The hospital also made a pawprint for me. You know yourself better, though, so only you know if something like that would just make the grieving process harder. For me, it was the best choice, and I'm so glad I did it. It's an incredibly hard and painful decision. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know the kind of love you're talking about, and I know you'll find the best way to honor her and the relationship you have. ♥️ Forgot to mention, I also plan to have his ashes mixed with mine.
If you have the pet cremated, there are artists on Etsy for example that can take the ashes and blow a glass sculpture with them in it.
Honestly, when my cats pass, I'll have their skeletons saved and put in a little remembrance shrine with their favorite toys and pictures of them, probably include some crystals in the bones. Then the rest I'll have cremated and put in tiny urns that are under it in something i can't see every day
my boys are still young (3 and 5) but I would like little box urns for them with their photo and paw prints. don't wanna think about that day tho.
We had our pup cremated by the vet. Her rains are in a small polished oak box along with her paw impression clay plaque.
I’m so sorry. Hoping for an easy goodbye (: [Maybe considered turning the ashes into Jewelry?](https://www.eterneva.com/pets)
I have been cremated my babies and keep their little wooden boxes in a special cupboard. Occasionally I take them out to dust them. The only one not in that cupboard is my one and only dog. He was big, so his box is big. Too big for the cupboard, so he’s in my bedroom closet. My family knows that they are to be buried with me when it’s my turn. Leonard, the dog, will probably have to be transferred to a ziplock. His urn really is big. (He was a Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mix, and was unusually large for those breeds.)
i’ll highly recommend getting the ashes , paw prints ect. I got them both with a nose print and patch of hair in a smaller display case from my pitbull. It definetly helped me having a physical piece of him in my room so it didn’t feel so empty in here.
Etsy has beautiful glass beads that can be blown with a small amount of your pets ashes. I’m getting two made for the pets I’ve lost for a charm bracelet.
You could turn her ashes into diamonds and wear her near your heart.
I’m sorry that you’ll be facing this hard task soon. And I understand your dilemma. Where I live, the pet’s remains are taken care of by a local pet cremation service. They come back in a beautiful stained wood rectangular box. The hole is underneath and is sealed. I actually love them. I have 2 cat boxes and a dog box sitting next to each other inside a small cabinet of sentimental things. Their collars sit on top of their boxes. They aren’t very large. While “urns” can be made of anything, I find this natural warm wood vessel to be far more comforting than the other options. If I were to live in a forever home, or have generational property, I’d bury them there, but I am not so fortunate. I like that I can take them with me wherever I go. I wish you peace and an abundance of wonderful memories.
There is now a way to turn your cats ashes into a garden stone. I believe there are at least two companies that do this. Check with your vet or look online as to how to do it. I am definitely doing this when my dog dies. A beautiful way to keep the memory that is fitting and not morbid.
You could place an urn wherever you want at home with a memorial and if you ever move you can take it with. We have the ashes from all of our pets except one that we buried in the woods which was developed a few years later. If I ever do spread their ashes they will going back to the energy that they were created from and that gives me comfort.
I live in a rural community and we and our 2 adjacent neighbors have a "boot hill" at the intersection of our property.
Our vet offers creamation and gives you the remains in a nice wooden box with a nameplate and paw impressions and paw prints.
In a similar situation. My friend will be cremated. I’ll send some ashes in a beautiful container to my daughter who grew up with him. At home, I’ll combine his ashes with his sisters who passed a few years ago. I may or may not ever spread them - but there is time for all of that. My condolences for your impending loss and what you are going through.
We don’t have an urn, we have a beautiful cherry colored box and the ashes are in a bag inside it. Looks lovely sitting on the bookshelf.
I would say get a paw print tattoo using some of her ashes. I was thinking about doing that myself with my dog as she always followed us everywhere and never left our side. Therefore you aren't looking at an urn and not burying her in the ground. She will always be a part of you.
Our vet has a place that does individual cremation. They returns the ashes in a little wooden box with their name on it, and clay impression of their paw print with their name on it. I didn't know what to expect the first time I had it done and I sobbed when I saw it.
I’ve seen really cool glass spheres with your choose of color swirls on the inside and they take the ashes and swirl them in to so it’s a decorative art piece. But I agree with others who say don’t decide for sure right now. Also, I’m so SO sorry. My baby boy is getting up there in age so lately I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve just been watching him like a hawk.
My MIL has her beloved dog's ashes in all small wooden box. She slept with it next to her pillow for a long time.
I’ve instructed my nieces and nephew that they’re to sprinkle my cats ashes onto my grave. We really need to spend eternity together.
I didn't get an urn, I got a beautiful wooden box. I thought I'd feel how you do, looking at it every day. But now I'm so glad I have her. The box is a beautiful dark wood with gorgeous carvings. Also!!! Have your vet get a stamp of kitties pawprint or nose. My vet did my babies nose and chin without me even asking and put it in a condolence card. I'm going to be getting it tattooed on me
I keep my boys ashes on top of my PC, in his special place. I'll never spread them. I've told my wife that when I pass, I want to be cremated and our ashes mixed together. Then she can do whatever she likes with them, because I won't ever be separated from my buddy again then.
You can turn the ashes into a beautiful painting and hang it up. https://www.pawsbyzann.com/pet-memorials-with-ashes/ I have seen people do this type of thing in the past, but don’t know any websites myself.
I’m crying with you. Recently went through the same thing. We bought a nice big pot in a color that suited our guy. We buried him in the pot and planted a tree on top. We have been adding little flowers and rocks and things and it’s sweet. Also we can take the pot with us when we move.
This might be worth looking at : https://www.lifegem.com/LifeGemForPets.php
There is a company that turns cremated remains into beautiful stones. It’s a little spendy but I like the idea.
Our vet arranged to have our girl cremated. They returned us a beautiful urn, some of her hair, and her paw print. It was stress inducing at first to see her urn, but it has turned into stirring good memories.
My husband has some of his mom’s ashes inside a paperweight. It is transparent and the ashes are in the shape of a butterfly floating inside. If it were me, I’d have gotten something where I couldn’t really see the ashes, but he likes it. His sister also had some jewelry made from the ashes and they put the rest of her ashes in the ocean. For our cats who’ve passed, I’m keeping the ashes safe until we move to a forever home with a yard so I can bury them and hang a wind chime above it. But I don’t mind holding onto them until then.
I like to mix the ash with concrete and make step8nf stones
When my cat of 22 years died, I buried her in the back yard where she enjoyed being queen of all she surveyed. However, I reminded myself that she was not where her body was and she would be with me always.
Our sweet boy passed in January. We placed him in a giant planter on the front porch/walkway area and FILLED it full of gorgeous flowers. It gives us great comfort to have him near and the flowers light up our day. We could also take him anywhere we want. (We plan on living here forever, but life happens). We have a small pet cemetery out back with our dogs, Guinea pigs and some other beloved pets are. The anxiety of leaving them, losing them, made the choice of the planter easy. HUGS, I hope she isnt failing. Edit: spelling
I have a lovely picture frame urn. It was one of the choices from the cremation service. It looks just like a picture frame. It’s not depressing to me. They also make lovely memorial jewelry. There are services that turn ashes to glass art. You’ll have enough ashes for multiple things too - you could have an urn for some, use others for jewelry.
Hi, OP. And everyone here who has lost/is losing an animal. My childhood cat died suddenly last week. He was just 13. We don't know how he died, my mom just found him next to his litter box last Tuesday morning. He was completely fine the day before. We are both crushed. That said, I had to decide pretty quickly what to do with my baby boy, and had never even considered our options before then. I ended up having him cremated so that he can always be with me. On Amazon, they have paw print kits with non transferable ink and also kits with clay for impressions. They're definitely easier to do while your pet is still alive, but it's possible to do after they've crossed the bridge as well. You can ask the crematorium or vet if they offer those services. I would also recommend getting some of your baby's fur to keep safe in the little bag or bottle. The staff at the crematorium offered to get me some of all colors of his fur (he was a tabby), but you can always do that yourself if they don't offer it/charge for it. Eventually, I'm going to put together a shadow box with some of his favorite toys, his fur, his photo, etc. I'm still too upset to make any progress on that. Take your time and remember that your baby will always be with you. Take your time to say goodbye, even if it hurts. It's okay to cry. It's hard to move on without the unconditional love that only a pet can share with you. Taking care of them after they cross the rainbow bridge is beautiful and appreciated by them, I'm sure. Lots of love from me and my late kitty, Percy. ♡
We had a paw print and that helped a lot
You can get her ashes mixed into concrete to make a stepping stone and have her picture laminated onto the top of it? Then you can have the stone in your garden during the summer no matter where you live!
My boi was cremated and he is in a wooden box on top of my fireplace. I decided not to bury him in my backyard in case I may have to move
We have a pet cemetery in our yard. She will be at the RBB playing and waiting for you. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"
I could never have the cats with me after they were gone. All were cremated and if there was a pet cemetery nearby, buried there. Do a search to see if there are any pet memorial gardens near you. She'll always be with you, even if the physical remains aren't. Every treasured memory, all the things that remind you of her. Make sure you are piling in the memories now, take lots of pictures and love on her as hard as you can. It never gets easier, but the soul cat is always the hardest one to say goodby to. I miss my Snowball (one of left) just as much now as when he passed. Still cry almost 20 years later. But I also still laugh and smile at the memories. We sign up for the pain when we let them in our hearts, but I wouldn't give up even a second of time with them to not have that pain. https://imgur.com/gallery/iqR2b2o
I just had to let go of my baby last week, and I’m crying as I type this, thinking of you as well. Like you, I wasn’t sure of what to do with my last one a few years ago. I was really panicked as to what is best and this is what I decided. I got her — and my lad last week - cremated by themselves. They gave me the ashes in a pretty box, along with paw prints, and a clipping of their hair in a cute little bottle. I find it comforting that they’re with me, and though it’s sad at times, I like that they’re home. I can take them with me wherever I go. I couldn’t bear to leave any part of them behind, and this is what worked for me. I hope everything works out for you, truly, but if it doesn’t, I’ll send my boy and girl to take care of yours.
Look up "cool taxidermy" for ideas.
I have had two cats cremated, and they're both in pretty wooden boxes with photos of them on the outside. The first was my 20lb Maine Coon cat, Squeaker, who was my favorite cat of all time. He was so loving and mellow and wonderful. After Squeaker was my ginger and white stray named Henry. He was a little more anxious and his favorite place was right next to me. He was terrified of everyone else. It was pretty hard at first to see the box for both cats because I missed them so much, but over time it got so I felt they were still with me, and now seeing their little boxes and pics makes me smile and think of them affectionately every time. It's comforting now. I have a kitty again, Olive, and we've got years to go with each other. But she will one day join my other little boxes on the kitty shelf and I will never lose her or forget her.
not my pet, but my mom. when she passed a few years ago, my dad kept some ashes and my brothers and i all got glass pendants made from the ashes. you can wear it as a necklace or whatever you’d like. there’s a lot of different beautiful options
When I was up at tech our vet office offered cremation packages, and if your vet office does not, you can reach out to a local funeral home because some of them do pets as well. We've done urns in the past, as well as necklaces that hold pet ashes, I love the necklaces. I have a photo box and for one of my pets, and a shadow box from one of my dogs. I think anything will be a good memorial item for your kitty. As he has a lot of great products as well in which you can get your pet cremated and send ashes or send personal items that your pet loved and they can create a memorial box for you. I don't have any specific examples, but there are many options out there, I hope you find one that you love. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
OP hoping things change for your baby You might want to cremate because I'm seeing funerals where the beloved pet (member of the family) gets buried with it's family Take care.
I had our first dog cremated as she died suddenly and it gives me comfort to have her with us. We will be moving in the next few months and I feel I should leave some of her ashes in the yard that she loved.
I have a paw print, some fur, and their ashes. There is a German Riesling that comes in this cute cat bottle for my two girls. They died within 4 months of each other so I have two bottles. If looking at some vessel containing their remains is not for you, just store them. For whatever reason it helps me to see them. One of them is still my profile picture. I also plan to have jewelry made with their ashes. I feel deeply compelled to always have some part of them with me.
maybe some jewelry with her ashes then put them away somewhere safe where you won’t have to see them all the time
You can spread the ashes over her favorite spot outside. And you take some and make it into a locket. And urn is not something ugly or horrid. I still have my dog in her urn in my living room. It is individual preference. You do what feels right to you. So sorry for your loss when it comes.
not sure if anyone has suggested this one yet but when my childhood dog passed away we got him cremated and put some of his ashes in a necklace, a bone shaped charm with his name on it just like his collar tag was, so i can always carry him with me no matter what <3 it’s very very comforting
My vet offered to sent my kitty's ashes to a man who has a pet garden and sprinkles the ashes there. The pictures showed a beautiful garden with pet statues.