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Writer's pictureMarlen Farley

How to find a sense of purpose as a grieving pet parent.

Planting a memorial tree is a beautiful way to honor and remember a beloved pet. The tree serves as a living tribute, symbolising the enduring bond between you and your pet, and helps protect our planet for future generations of pets and humans to thrive.


Here are some steps and ideas to help spark positivity and finding a sense of purpose as a grieving pet parent.

  1. Choose a Meaningful Location: Select a meaningful location to plant the memorial tree. It could be in your backyard, a local park, a nearby farm property or the virtual Trees for Pets forest

  2. Select the Right Tree: Choose a tree that is appropriate for the local climate and soil conditions. You can select a tree species with significance to you or one that's known for its beauty or symbolic meaning.

  3. Memorial Marker: Place a memorial marker near the tree. You can create a plaque, stone, or engrave a small sign that includes the pet's name, a heartfelt message, and the dates of their life. This marker will serve as a lasting reminder of the pet.

  4. Planting Ceremony: Organise a small planting ceremony with the pet owner and close friends or family. Invite them to share their favorite memories of the pet and offer words of support. Plant the tree together, symbolising the pet's enduring presence.

  5. Personalised Decorations: Personalise the memorial tree area. You can hang wind chimes, solar lights, or ornaments in the tree. These decorations can be a source of comfort and positivity, especially during quiet moments.

  6. Seasonal Reminders: Tending to the tree throughout the seasons. For example, you can hang ornaments on the tree during the holidays or plant flowers around its base in the spring. Each season can offer a new opportunity for reflection and positivity.

  7. Yearly Remembrance Ritual: Mark special anniversaries, like the pet's birthday or the day they passed away, with a visit to the memorial tree. You can have a picnic, play music, or simply spend quiet time with the tree.

  8. Supportive Community: Connect with local or online pet grief support groups. These communities can provide a safe space for sharing emotions, stories, and experiences with others who understands your loss.

  9. Volunteer or Donate: You can honour Your pet's memory by volunteering at an animal shelter or making a donation to an animal charity. It's a positive way to channel love into helping other animals in need.

  10. Patience and Understanding: Grief is a personal and unique process. Encourage the pet parent to be patient with themselves and allow time for healing. Support from friends and family is essential during this time.

The goal of a memorial tree is to provide comfort and positivity to grieving pet parents as they navigate the loss and celebrate the enduring love they shared with their beloved pet.


Trees for Pets offers reforestation memorial trees as well as native Remember Trees planted on a beautiful farm near Melbourne. All our pet memorial trees are part of registered global reforestation work, having a positive impact at scale.



A Pet Memorial Tree with a Bench
Remember Tree on Moorabool Valley Farm



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