In Praise of Dead Pets: An Investigation into the Content and Function of Human-Style Pet Eulogies

Older women’s experiences of companion animal death: impacts on well-being and aging-in-place

“…Despite the therapeutic effect of memorialization to remember and honor the deceased, there are few socially-acceptable and viable death rituals for people bereaved by CA death [ 32 – 34 ]. If bereaved CA owners are unable to express themselves, the healing process may be complicated or prolonged [ 5 , 12 ].…”

“…If bereaved CA owners are unable to express themselves, the healing process may be complicated or prolonged [ 5 , 12 ]. Memorialization practices, such as writing a eulogy, can significantly lessen feelings of disenfranchised grief because it provides validation of the relationship and a way to express grief [ 32 , 33 ]. As reported by a number of our participants, looking at photos or reminiscing over the lost CA can help emotionally sustain the grieving CA owner, despite permanent physical CA separation [ 32 ].…”

“…Memorialization practices, such as writing a eulogy, can significantly lessen feelings of disenfranchised grief because it provides validation of the relationship and a way to express grief [ 32 , 33 ]. As reported by a number of our participants, looking at photos or reminiscing over the lost CA can help emotionally sustain the grieving CA owner, despite permanent physical CA separation [ 32 ]. While many of the study participants reflected on the positive impact that memorialization practices had on their grief resolution process, these practices were often quite different and ranged from printing and framing photos, making burial plans, cremation ceremonies, and continued conversations with their deceased CA on special occasions.…”

“…Although not mentioned by our participants, there is some evidence that pastoral care, in the form of prayers or a funeral service for the deceased CA, may be of benefit to some mourners [ 4 ]. While social workers, veterinarians, and bereavement counsellors should consider advising the use of memorial devices as necessary coping strategies for vulnerable individuals, [ 32 – 34 ], care must be taken to avoid assumptions about what timing or form these devices should take.…”

The Human–Animal Bond and Grief and Loss: Implications for Social Work Practice

“…All cultures have death rituals for human loss, including formal funeral ceremonies, obituaries, and eulogies, while few if any events are in place for companion animal loss (McKinney, 2019). Rennard et al (2019) highlight the importance of human-style pet eulogies as being especially therapeutic. They examined 19 such eulogies using thematic analysis and emerging themes and found human and pet eulogies share similar therapeutic benefits of allowing mourners to let go, providing validation, and a means of retaining a remembrance bond with the pet.…”