Prayers for the Burial of a Pet

Have the place of interment prepared already. Prepare the body of the deceased pet by wrapping it in cloth and placing it in an appropriately sized box. Prepare a place where the body can lie “in state” for a time, perhaps in the lounge room. Place a candle, and perhaps a photograph of the pet with the children near the box.

Begin the prayers in the room where the body is resting.

Psalm 104

The eyes of all look to you, O Lord,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand,
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord!

Reading: Revelation 21

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”

This is the word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

 

Prayer (By Rabbi Barry H. Block), especially suitable for burials where children are involved. Each family member may take it in turns to say one of these prayers.

O Lord our God, we come before you this day in sadness.  {Pet’s Name}, who brought us so much joy in life, has now died.   His/her happy times in our family’s embrace have come to an end.  We miss him/her already.

Help us, O God, to remember the good times with {Pet’s Name}.  Remind us to rejoice in the happy times he/she brought to our home.  Let us be thankful for the good life we were blessed to give to him/her.

We are grateful to you, God, for creating {Pet’s Name}, for entrusting him/her to our care, and for sustaining him/her in our love for a measure of time.   We understand that all that lives must die.   We knew that this day would come.  And yet, O God, we would have wanted one more day of play, one more evening of love with {Pet’s Name}.

O God, as we have taken care of {Pet’s Name} in life, we ask that you watch over him/her in death. You entrusted {Pet’s Name} to our care; now, we give him/her back to you.  May {Pet’s Name} find a happy new home in your loving embrace.

As we remember {Pet’s Name}, may we love each other more dearly.   May we care for all your creatures, for every living thing, as we protected the blessed life of {Pet’s Name}.  May his/her memory bless our lives with love and caring forever.  Amen.

Or this shorter version, especially if children are not involved. Modify the “I” to “we” as necessary:

O Lord our God, {Pet’s Name}, who brought such joy in life, has died. Thank you for creating {Pet’s name}, for entrusting him/her to my care for a measure of time, and for all the good times and the happiness that he/she brought. 

All that lives must die, and I knew that this day would come, but the reality of death is hard, and I am grieving.

O God, as I have taken care of {Pet’s Name} in life, watch over him/her in death. You gave him/her breath; now I entrust him/her to you.

As I remember {Pet’s Name}, may his/her memory lead me to love and care for the people around me, and praise you by respecting the life of every creature. Amen

Our Father…

[Hail Mary]

Glory be…

Hymn to be sung as the deceased pet is carried to the place of interment.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

 Place the body in the grave and encourage the children to assist with placing the soil on the body and filling in the grave. Place a pot plant or plant a flowering bush to mark the grave.

51 Responses to Prayers for the Burial of a Pet

  1. matthias says:

    . The last hymn by St Francis very apt for burial of a beloved pet. i can remember singing it to myself as I cradled my 15 year old dog who had died in my arms froma stroke.
    Except to quote your friend pastor AB he cpuld never think of it without also picturing Mr Bean in church!!

  2. Christine says:

    The readings and prayers are so appropriate and comforting.

    Thanks, David.

    Christine

  3. rod garner says:

    Thank you. About to conduct a service this evening for much loved dog of a friend.

  4. ROBERT says:

    thank you, I feel that our pets help us to see the wonders of God. All they ask is love food and water. How we complicate our lives asking for everything. Tucker showed true companionship and a good defender. The prayers helped by showing that religion recognizes all of God’s creatures. Tuk lost his short battle with liver disease. Thank God for him.

  5. Gene says:

    Found comfort in the prayers of our deceased and loved Cocoa. Thank you.

  6. Rosita Nieves says:

    Thank you so much. I just lost my beloved cat today to cancer very fast.These words are very comforting. Even though I took care of her from the beginning, She had 9 lives & suffered from the beginnng with other people but she chosed me & lived an extra 13 wonderful years , bringing me joy. I will miss her soooo o much. Thank you my little angel…

  7. Susan says:

    Thank you most sincerely for these beautiful prayers. We have had our beautiful black cat Mia for ten years; in fact not long after we moved into our current house. She was timid and shy, and I get the feeling that she had been mistreated. Anyway, she chose a new home with us, in arriving on our doorstep one day. I found her dead in our driveway this evening, and my family and I have used the prayers and had a ceremony for her this evening. Feeling oh so sad! So glad I found your website and thanks again. We are all God’s precious creations. Rest in God’s care, Mia.

  8. Douglas miles says:

    Thank you Lord for the greatest ,sweetest little beagle .she was brought to me while on a job site ,as an eight week old ,the owner saying ,if I didn’t take her they would euthanize her because she was so small and believe it or not the wrong color! Thank the lord I do not think like that,because daisy Mae has been the greatest friend I’ve ever known and I weep as I write these words and I shall miss her until that great day when our Lord and Savior makes all things new again.I love you daisy mae till we meet again!daddy

  9. George says:

    Thanks so much for this, it is very comforting. I lost my beloved Kaci after a short illness but I can look back on 11 years of wonderful memories and forward to the time when we will meet again.

    • Schütz says:

      George, I am glad that the prayers provided comfort in your time of grief. We like to think that we will “see them again”, but we have no assurance of this. What we do have assurance of is that God will make all things new, and that in the new creation no good thing of his first creation will be lost.

  10. Ellie says:

    Thank you for these prayers my kitty Little bit died last night, we think she got in a fight with something. But any way I’m thankful for being sent these prayers.

  11. Maggie says:

    Thank you, I found much comfort in the prayers. My 15 1/2 Sheba passed away 07/08/2015. Almost 6 months later and I still have moments where I cry for her. She was a huge part of my life. When she died a part of me went with her. I know now she is my furry angel looking down on me. I think of her all the time. I am missing her so much. God Bless All. Mommy loves you so much. R.I.P. Sheba.

    • Schütz says:

      Hi, Maggie. Sorry I haven’t approved or replied to your comment before now. I am glad the prayers helped you find comfort in the loss of your dear pet.

  12. Prateek Edwin says:

    RIP King my beloved Great Dane. Life will never be the same without you my friend. I Love You. Good Boy.. Stay blessed wherever you are.

    • Schütz says:

      Sorry to hear of your Great Dane’s passing. I hope the prayers were helpful. I am curious, though, if you will forgive my insensitivity… This morning one of my pet rats died, and I had to dig the burial hole, which in the rain and cold was hard enough. But I am trying to imagine burying a Great Dane…

  13. Patric says:

    Thank you for this beautiful prayer service for pets. We know that our beautiful Lily is hurting no more. She has a place in heaven yet she will always be in our hearts.

    • Schütz says:

      Thank you. I am glad you found it helpful. I have recently written the shorter prayer version because rats don’t live so long, and I seem to be having little burials every couple of weeks! Another one died last night in lap, poor little thing.

  14. Judy says:

    God bless all my pets that have passed on, but on July 4, 2016 I lost Jenna who was fifteen years young, my little sweet dog, and the above prayers are so beautiful. I pray that God has a special place for my little girl. I will really miss her. Rest in sight, “she was blind”, health and happiness and God’s loving arms, Jenna. I love you so much.

  15. Dennis Gorlin says:

    Thanks God l found this prayers today just what l was looking for, right after my dog had pass away in my arm’s. He died from cancer very distressing to watch him die this way a very beautiful dog of almost fifteen years, will be missed dearly, just finished digging his grave in the rain.
    God bless

  16. Mary Marshall says:

    I lost my cat of 16 years yesterday and found this site. Thank you it does help. His name was Francis, Nasty Nate and Cat over the years. I will miss that ole man for he trained me well and was such a smart cat who happen to pick me for his owner. I will so miss him.

  17. James John Bianco says:

    Just wanted to thank, Rabbi Barry H. Block, for his beautiful prayer. In the next few day’s, my wife, and I, will be putting our Dalmation, Angle to sleep, and we will be reading your prayer, because we can no longer, allow her to suffer, simply to continue, the joy, and love, and friendship, and happiness, she has brought us, so that we will be happy. Angel, I believe Angel was a very special gift to us from God, but now I believe it’s time for her to return home, to cross Rainbow Bride to be with the creator of all. May we meet her again one day, when our own time comes, and may she watch, as we touch the hand of God together. Again, ” thank you ” Sir.

    Writer / Poet / Author

    James John Bianco

  18. Karen says:

    Thank you for these prayers. I found them now as I needed them most. My cat Dante, whom we’ve been blessed to have had in our lives for 12 years, just passed away about 30 minutes ago after fighting stage 4 renal failure. Years ago, when we first got him, I didn’t think he liked me nor me him, but I loved him with all my heart. We will surely miss him and will see him again one day at the Rainbow Bridge and cross into Heaven together. I love you Dante and will miss you forever. Same goes for my beloved Barnaby and Katrina (doxies) and Black Jack (bunny) whom we also lost over the last couple of years. I love and miss all of you!

    • Schütz says:

      Dear Karen,

      I am glad these prayers were a comfort for you. I am not myself certain of the idea of a shared “heaven” where we are reunited with our pets. Historically, this idea is an extension of the 17th Century idea that we are reunited with our family members in the afterlife (yes, literary investigations show this idea is that recent!). I am, however, convinced that nothing which God creates is lost forever, and that the whole of his creation – our pet dogs, cats and rats included – will be included in that redemption which our Lord Jesus was accomplished for the whole of suffering creation. Peace be with you.

  19. William Kingsley says:

    Thank you for publishing this.
    It is a great comfort in our time of bereavement.
    Thank you to Rabbi Block for the wonderful prayer.

  20. Premie Joseph says:

    Thank so much for this beautiful prayer. On Sunday our German Shepherd , Russell of 12 yrs was put to rest. He was a vibrant, loving and energetic but the last 3 days were painful. I had to make a decision to let him go home. No more pain and suffering. God so graciously allowed me to find this beautiful prayer to prepare for his burial. Thank you so much and may you be blessed.

  21. Eric Dodd says:

    Many thanks for the prayers and the service outline. Our Jack Russell Toby was seventeen and a half when he died and was older than youngest daughter. He passed away peacefully in the night and we are eternally grateful to the enjoyment that we received from his presence over the long period of his life. We will bury him today with full the honors that he rightfully deserves with all the family present.

  22. Kim Dennany says:

    Thank you for the beautiful prayers. They are a great comfort to me. Our beloved dog, Blitzen died at home this morning. Please pray for him and for us.

  23. Mike Guerrero says:

    This helps a lot thank you .We lost are beloved dog Treasure. I a grown man cried like a baby I truly believe that my dog went to heaven. Thank you again

  24. Al says:

    These are comforting words. Our dear Polly died after a long life. How we loved her and will miss her words cannot describe. She brought so much joy and happiness to so many.
    Thank you for helping just a little bit.

  25. Ella Stewart says:

    My lovely cuddly kitten died this morning from being hit by a car. I find great comfort in these prayers knowing that she’s protected by God now. Words cannot describe the pain that is felt when I think of the 2 years we spent with her. She was just a baby. Sister loves you forever my sweet snuggley angel. Rest in peace.

  26. Marie Rochelle says:

    Last night my 15 year old Ebony passed away
    He was a Havanese, my best friend. Thank you for the beautiful prayers. I ask for prayers to accept his passing..hurts so much..thank you

  27. Taciana says:

    I wish I would’ve seen this website before. The prayers were very nice Athena our dog will be truly missed. What an amazing dog! God blessed us with such an obedient dog for ten years. Animals are God’s special gift to teach us about love. I thank God for his love and Athena for loving us.??

  28. Susy says:

    Love this. Our deloved cat has just died in the arms of my child. Will use all of these prayers tomorrow morning. Thank you so much.

  29. Amy says:

    Thank you for this. I found it online today as we left our beloved pet, Roxie, at the crematorium, since burial is prohibited in our city. Saying these prayers was a helpful way for my husband and I to close our final visit with our cherished friend and beloved family member.

  30. Gerald says:

    Shalom. My partner and I just lost our JRT yesterday even to cancer. We had celebrated his 14th birthday just 3 months ago, but the good Lord, in His infinite wisdom, called him Home. Thank you for these verses of comfort as we prepare to commit his body to the Lord for cremation later.

  31. Everett says:

    Just buried our fabulous long hair black and white kitty of 16 years…all spent with us! He was an incredible cat…gave so much love! Princeton suffered with renal failure the past few months and after 4 nights in the hospital we had high hopes but alas it was not to be. We euthanized him peacefully in our home in his favorite recliner. I too cried like a baby as I lowered him in the ground outside his favorite west facing window…we loved him so much. I am so comforted in these prayers…thank you

  32. Anthony says:

    Newton, our cat who was just a few weeks from being 18, died peacefully a few days ago at home. He had been with me from college, through girlfriends, many houses and jobs, my meeting and marriage to my wife, the inception and growth of my company, the birth of two children and most of all, my growth in faith. I thank God everyday for him being in my life. Thank you as well for this lovely compilation of prayers that we utilized in his memorial earlier this evening. It was very helpful as coming up with appropriate words at a time like this are challenging. Thank you and God bless.

  33. I just read your beautiful prayers. We are pet lovers, and have lost so many of our beloved ” babies”. I wish I had known of these prayers at that time. We gave all of our “babies” a burial in a lovely pet cemetery, but did not know of this ceremony. We have only one (1) “baby” left now, but consider this beautiful ceremony for our precious Maggie when the sorrowful time comes. Thank you so much!

  34. Jeremy says:

    Thank you.

    I said this one for my dog today. Sadly it was after we burried her but none the less it was still good to have this to augment the prayers i said earlier.

  35. Caro says:

    Ha mi querida mimi hoy hace 4 días falleció de un accidente doméstico fatalmente a mi pareja se le cayo un mueble arriba d ella y la mató en el momento. Q duro momento x Dios era todo para mi cariñosa atenta todo lo q querés d una persona lo tenía ella. La enterró mi padre el lunes a la noche todavía no me despedí voy hacerlo hoy nose si me servirá estas oraciones para hoy pero solo quiero q descanse en paz y pueda mi ángel estar en un paraíso como el q hablan después de la muerte se merece todo lo mas lindo del mundo es nuh triste como se murió muy triste no encuentro consuelo a mi hija se le ocurrió traer otra perra y yo no quiero sentirme más mal de lo q estoy me siento culpable xq no la agarre cuando venía entrando mi esposo y me siento culpable xq mi hija va a traer una mascota nueva es muy triste

  36. Lucy says:

    Thank you so much for posting this. My dog Luna passed yesterday at 8 am. Brindle bull terrier, super sweet dog, always happy, very energetic. She had a broken fibula/tibia outcome of a dog attack. I am soo sad for her because I thought she was going to make it. After her surgery she was back to being Luna, and then all of a sudden in a matter of hours she dies on me. I wish there was more I could have done, but i didn’t everything I could for her. I feel like a part of me died yesterday, like I have a huge void that nothing can fill. Even before her death she was still wagging her tail, everything just happened so fast. Luna, I hope you’re in a better place now and free from suffering. I’m sorry I could not do more for you. I love you my sweet sweet girl <3. I know you’re in dog heaven playing with nice dogs this time :)

  37. Ronald R Gibson says:

    A very nice prayer. Geo, my chihuahua passed away on December 29 2019. I buried him today.

  38. Christin says:

    Thank you so much for this order of service. I was putting off holding the funeral and burying the ashes of our beloved old dog, until I found this. I planned a few more things to go with it and finally felt ready. We ordered a beautiful headstone off Amazon. We listened to Ella Fitzgerald sing “Till We Meet Again.”

    Thanks again for allowing us to use this, and helping me sort my thoughts during a hard time.

  39. FuneralFide says:

    It’s super appropriate to pray for a dog when they’ve been lost–thanks for the guidance.

  40. Karen says:

    Thank you so much for this Prayer. I just lost my Dog Bruno today. I had him for 10 years and 4 months. He has brought so much joy in my life. esp during the past 2 years where I faced difficult challenges. Now he is happy and pain free. I love you so much Brunny! Thank you for everything.

  41. Tom Tarzian says:

    Thank you so much for this!

    God bless you,
    Tom Tarzian

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