You can find many different types of pet memorials on the market. You can commission a painting of your pet from an online or local artist or purchase a garden stepping stone personalized with your pet’s name and image. You can also buy a pet memorial plaque to hang outside or inside your home to pay homage to the pet you lost.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Types of Pet Memorial Plaques for Outdoors
- Types of Pet Memorial Plaques for Indoors
- Pet Memorial Plaque Inscription Ideas
- Where Can You Purchase Pet Memorial Plaques Online?
Some pet memorial products are generic items shaped like a paw print or dog bone. While these items may be inexpensive, they don’t tell the story about your dalmatian or your Siamese cat like a plaque can.
Finally, pet memorial plaques show visitors to your home how much you miss and honor the pet you lost. Here are different types of pet memorial plaques to consider.
There are many different ways to honor and remember a departed pet. An online memorial page, like a memorial plaque, is a long-lasting and beautiful tribute to a pet who has passed away. And with a memorial page, friends and family members who knew your pet can leave their own messages and even donate money to a cause that you choose.
Types of Pet Memorial Plaques for Outdoors
Did your dog enjoy a romp in the backyard every morning? Maybe your cat enjoyed lying in the sun and lazily watching the shadows from the tree branches moving in the wind.
If your pet’s favorite spot was outside, why not honor your pet with a plaque in that preferred location? Some memorial plaque wording is commemorative and others show a burial location. Here are some outdoor pet memorial plaques to consider.
1. Heart-shaped engraved plate with your pet’s name
A pet memorial plaque doesn’t have to be huge to be effective. Some pet owners choose to purchase a small engraved plate with the pet’s name and dates. These items, reminiscent of an animal tag, can be attached to your pet’s favorite tree.
Consider adding the phrase “rest in peace” or another similar sentiment to the plaque.
2. Paw print engraved plate with a heartfelt message
Most metal memorial plaques can last for years outside. Everyone will understand that you are honoring a pet when they see a paw print-shaped engraved plate hanging on your fence.
Consider adding the line “forever in our hearts” to the bottom of the plaque.
3. Memorial plaque stake
If a sturdy deck, fence, or tree is unavailable, consider purchasing a commemorative plaque secured on a stake.
Add this type of memorial plaque to a garden designed specifically for your cat or dog. The plate can show your pet’s burial spot or it can merely act as a commemorative piece to celebrate your animal’s life.
4. Memorial plaque on a bench
Some families celebrate the life of a loved one by purchasing a bench for a local park. A memorial plaque often honors the deceased loved one. Consider honoring your pet in this manner, especially if your pet enjoyed a park near your home.
5. Memorial plaque on an animal water fountain
Purchase an animal water fountain for your dog or cat. A memorial plaque can accompany this, possibly made of metal. Other pet owners will see how much you loved your pet while they pause to give their animals a drink at the fountain.
6. Stone memorial plaque
You often place stone memorial plaques on the ground, in the form of headstones or garden stepping stones. But you may be able to find a durable plaque made out of rock that is able to be hung on a fence or around a tree.
Like metal plaques, why not personalize stone memorials with your pet’s name?
7. Solar light memorial plaques
You can light up your pet’s memorial plaque using a solar panel. These personalized plaques, usually placed on a stake, light up at night with the etched image of your pet, along with any text that you want to include.
To get the full effect of this type of memorial plaque, place it in a sunny location. The sun’s rays will charge the battery during the day and you will enjoy the glowing plaque at night.
8. Wind chimes
We know that a wind chime is not a plaque, but it can hang outside and be personalized to honor your pet. Wind chimes are lovely commemorative items. Engrave your pet’s dates on it, and you can think of your cat or dog each time you hear it tinkle in the breeze.
9. 3D bronze memorial plaque
Your pet memorial plaque can be as formal as you wish. If money is not a consideration, you can have a 3D bronze memorial plaque created to honor your deceased pet. These items are similar to what you would find outside of museums or government buildings. Artists can create a 3D metal image of your pet based on a photograph.
Types of Pet Memorial Plaques for Indoors
There are benefits of having a memorial plaque indoors. The most obvious benefit is that you and your guests can always see the plaque.
Here are some types of indoor plaques to honor your deceased pet. Since many of these items can be personalized, carefully choose an epitaph that honors your animal.
Some of the items listed above can also be used indoors, with the obvious exceptions of plaques placed on stakes or memorial benches and water fountains.
10. Engraved memorial plaques attached to wood
Would you like to dedicate an indoor space to your favorite animal? Consider having a memorial plaque engraved and then have that plate attached to a piece of wood. You can use these plaques in indoor spaces as everlasting memorials.
11. Laser engraved wood memorial plaque
Some memorial plaques are engraved directly on the surface of a piece of wood instead of metal. Laser engraved wood memorial plaques can also be personalized with the image of your pet as well as a fitting epitaph.
Wood memorial plaques tend to look less formal than those engraved on metal.
12. Crystal engraved memorial plaques
Engraving your pet’s memorial information on crystal or glass can look extremely distinctive. While most of the time, these items are placed on a bookshelf or table, they can be made to hang on a wall.
13. Carved wooden plaques
If you would like your pet’s memorial to look more rustic, consider having a wooden plaque carved in your pet’s honor. Consider completing this project yourself. Check out wood-burning kits to give your project a distinct look.
14. Shadow box plaque
Instead of purchasing a flat piece, why not buy a hanging shadow box that holds items inside? The outside of the shadow box can be made of glass and etched with your pet's name. Inside the box, you can place your pet’s collar and tags.
Pet Memorial Plaque Inscription Ideas
The best plaque inscriptions are written from the heart. You can use the opportunity to tell others what your pet meant to you, share special nicknames, or think about the activities your pet might be enjoying in the afterlife.
Your grief may keep you from formulating the right words for your pet memorial plaque, so here are a few ideas to consider to memorialize your beloved furry family member.
“Forever In Our Hearts”
This simple statement says a lot in four short words. It shows others that even though your pet is gone, you will forever remember them.
“Dogs (Cats) come into our lives and leave pawprints on our hearts.”
Is the plaque shaped like a paw print? Consider using this phrase as you say goodbye to your four-legged friend.
“Loyal Companion”
Was your pet always close at hand? If you are missing the pet who was always at your side, consider using this phrase on the memorial plaque.
“Rest in Peace, Faithful Friend”
We know that some of these phrases sound like epitaphs that you would read on a headstone. Maybe this is the type of phrase you may want to consider for your pet’s memorial plaque.
“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”
You may feel heartbroken that there was nothing you could do to prolong the life of your pet.
“In Memory of Socks, 2000-2021”
You can keep it simple and straightforward with an “in memory of” inscription. If you planted a tree or purchased a bench to commemorate the life of your pet, this saying is a great way to share your love.
“When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I am right inside your heart.”
Do you still feel close to your pet even though they have crossed the rainbow bridge? Here is one poetic way to share your emotions about the loss.
“You were our favorite ‘hello’ and our hardest ‘goodbye.’”
Do you have special memories of your pet when they were young? You might share this statement on the memorial plaque.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” - Emily Dickinson
Turn to your favorite book of quotes about death or pets to find a fitting tribute for your animal companion. We love this quote by poet Emily Dickinson.
“Over the rainbow bridge. Forever in our hearts.”
You might want to incorporate the phrase “rainbow bridge” on the memorial plaque for your pet.
“I’ll meet you at the rainbow bridge.”
Some people view the rainbow bridge as a bridge that takes animals to a beautiful “holding place” where they wait for their human companions to join them.
“Until we meet again.”
If you think you’ll meet your pet again in the afterlife, you might consider using this quote on their memorial plaque.”
“Forever would have not been enough.”
Even if you were lucky enough to enjoy your pet for decades, you might feel that you didn’t have enough time together.
“Your wings were ready, but my heart was not.”
Consider using this quote on a plaque shaped like angel wings or a pet with a halo.
Where Can You Purchase Pet Memorial Plaques Online?
If you have your inscription idea and type of plaque already thought out, all that’s left is to purchase it. Are you ready to order one for your special animal? Here are some online stores that sell customized pet memorial plaques.
Etsy
Consider shopping on Etsy for a customized pet memorial plaque. Many of these items are sold by individuals or small companies. You could even commission an artist to develop a personalized piece of artwork to engrave on the plaque.
Pet Memory Shop
Pet Memory Shop has an extensive list of items available for anyone who wants to commemorate a pet’s life. The items can be personalized to feature your pet’s name or likeness.
Amazon
Some people are surprised to learn that they can purchase personalized items off of Amazon. Some brick-and-mortar stores (or online stores with less traffic than Amazon) are turning to this giant company to get a portion of the market share.
Zazzle
Zazzle specializes in pet memorial plaques that feature color photos of the animal. Read the descriptions carefully to display the plaque outdoors and protect it from the elements.
Memorial Gallery Pets
If you are looking for a memorial plaque that can stay outside in the weather, check out the Memorial Gallery Pets store. Memorial Gallery Pets specializes in engraved plaques.
Memorials
Don’t limit yourself to searching for a memorial plaque company that specializes in animals. Some online memorial or headstone companies will create a plaque that commemorates the life of your pet.
This particular company sells a plaque that looks like a tree stump. So you can create a natural-looking memorial plaque that will be around forever.
Chewy
Many people don’t realize that Chewy sells pet food, toys, and pet memorial items. Their memorial plaques and stones can also be personalized.
Other Ways to Honor a Pet
Many people purchase decorative items to commemorate the life of a deceased animal. While this is a beautiful thing to do, consider honoring your pet by serving other needy animals.
Have you ever considered fostering animals that are waiting for their forever homes? You may want to donate your time or money to a local no-kill shelter. Contact local pet charities to see how you can help. Explain to the staff that you would like to honor a beloved pet by donating your talents or money.