Pet bereavement

The death of a much-loved family pet can be a difficult time for adults and especially children. There are many ways of coping with the pain of pet bereavement. Some insurers offer access to a Pet Bereavement Counseling Helpline as part of a pet insurance policy. We’ve put together some helpful tips on how to deal with the death of your pet.

Sharing your grief

The death of a pet can be very upsetting. But, you don’t have to deal with the painful loss of your pet on your own. You can contact the Pet Bereavement Helpline on 0870 600 0633 and talk to a counselor. The counselors are trained to help pet owners talk through the pain of their loss and come to terms with their grief. The helpline also offers practical advice on how to organise a pet funeral so that you can say a final goodbye to your beloved pet. It’s good to know that there is a friendly voice offering compassion and understanding just a phone call away when you need it.

Final farewell

Everyone reacts differently to grief and has different ways of dealing with it. One way of letting go of your grief is with a pet funeral. Research shows that pet funerals are on the increase as pet owners see the value of saying a proper goodbye to their animal companions. Some dog owners feel that a funeral is a fitting tribute for a lifetime of devotion from their four-legged friends. Many dog owners also feel that a pet funeral is just as important as a family funeral. It just shows how devoted and attached some dog owners are to their pets. You can also create an official resting place for your pet, with a gravesite. Some pet owners find it easier to deal with their grief if they have a place they can visit.

If you want to create a place of remembrance for your pet, you can create a memorial page online where you can share your memories, poems, and photographs of your pet. To set up a memorial page for your pet, visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

Replacing your pet

A new pet could help you get over the death of a pet. You could replace your pet with the same breed or go for something a little different so that you don’t feel that you are wiping out the memory of your previous pet.  It is important that you only get a new pet when you feel that you are ready for another commitment to an animal.

Dealing with pet accident or illness

Sometimes the death of a pet can be very unexpected, as a result of a car accident or sudden illness. At times like these, you don’t want to be stressing about the cost of vet bills and medication. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind for pet owners in the event of an accident or illness by ensuring your pet gets the treatment it needs and takes the financial pressure off you. Speak to your insurer about the benefits and types of cover offered by a pet insurance policy.