The loss of a loved one leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. While grieving is a necessary part of the healing process, finding healthy ways to memorialize lost loved ones can provide comfort and meaning.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Some people get tattoos or jewelry with images of animals that held special meaning or memories associated with a passed loved one as a way to honor their memory.
In this article, we’ll explore the special emotional connections people form with certain animals over the course of a relationship and how those animals come to represent that cherished bond even after loss.
We’ll also provide examples of ways grieving individuals can memorialize passed loved ones through animal symbols and imagery, discuss the potential healing benefits of this practice, and offer guidance on how to thoughtfully select an animal representation that personally honors your loved one’s memory.
The Emotional Significance of Animal Connections
Childhood Pets
For many people, childhood pets create some of the most treasured memories that stay with them into adulthood. According to a 2021 ASPCA survey, 85% of US households have pets, with around 63.4 million households owning a dog and 42.7 million having a cat.
These furry friends become part of the family and form deep emotional bonds that can represent feelings of warmth, safety and unconditional love.
When a beloved childhood pet passes away, it can feel like the loss of a best friend. According to pet bereavement expert Russell Friedman, grief over a pet can be as intense as losing a human loved one.
Finding ways to memorialize them, such as creating a memory book, planting a garden or doing something they enjoyed, can help process the grief. Many take comfort when they see similarities in their current or future pets, feeling like their passed companion sent them another loyal friend.
Wildlife Encounters
Interactions with wildlife, like bird sightings, can also spark emotional connections, especially if they remind someone of a passed loved one. Author Lisa Smartt, who collected end-of-life visions and messages from over 2000 deathbed accounts for her book It’s Not Yet Dark, found consistent themes of deceased loved ones appearing as birds.
Many find meaning in spotting their favorite birds, butterflies, deer, squirrels or other wildlife that they associate with those they have lost.
According to the 2021 Chapman University Survey on American Fears, 61.7% believe spirits or ghosts exist. When we spot a red cardinal, robin or blue jay out the window, hearing their songs and seeing flashes of color and movement, it can feel like a visit from the great beyond.
These sightings bring comfort, joy and a sense that loved ones live on. Noticing patterns around the time of a lost loved one’s birthday, anniversary or favorite season can make these wildlife encounters feel even more poignant and emotionally significant.
Therapy Animals
For grieving individuals, time with therapy dogs, cats and even horses can facilitate healing. Organizations like Pet Partners have over 10,000 therapy animal teams across the US providing affection and comfort in settings from hospitals to universities to disaster sites.
Studies show interaction with animals, whether petting or playing, can reduce stress, lower heart rates and blood pressure, ease anxiety, and boost mood through the release of oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin.
Losing someone close leaves an intensely painful absence. Therapy animal encounters allow grieving people to transfer and receive affection. Feeling a lick from a therapy dog or purr from a therapy cat offers a profound sense of being valued, seen and cared for in moments of acute emotional need.
After the passing of a beloved pet, reconnecting with animals, whether wildlife sightings or therapy animal visits, can represent feelings of warmth, affection, and support from cherished companions who brought joy in the past and still spark it today.
Memorialization Through Animal Imagery
Tattoos
Getting a tattoo of a favorite animal can be a beautiful way to memorialize a lost loved one. According to a 2022 survey, over 30% of memorial tattoos feature animals, whether it’s their pet, favorite wild creature, or an animal that represents their personality or interests.
Animal memorial tattoos come in endless creative varieties – from lifelike portraits to more symbolic designs.
Some of the most popular animal memorial tattoos include:
- Dogs and cats – Images of a beloved pet dog or cat can capture their spirit, quirks and appearance.
- Birds – Birds like doves often represent peace or freedom for the departed soul.
- Butterflies – With their metamorphosis, butterflies are meaningful symbols of transformation after death.
- Feathers – Floating feathers can signify letting go while keeping someone’s memory near.
When integrated thoughtfully with other personal elements, an animal memorial tattoo offers a touching commemoration of a life and relationship gone but not forgotten.
Jewelry
Animal jewelry makes for meaningful remembrance keepsakes to honor late friends and family members. Many companies offer a wide selection of animal memorial jewelry featuring an engraved name, dates, paw prints, and inspirational phrases along with animal shapes and images.
Some of the top animal memorial jewelry choices are:
- Paw print jewelry – Paw-shaped pendants or charms holding cremation ashes are loving tributes to deceased pets.
- Birthstone animals – Sparkling birthstone butterflies, dolphins, cats or birds carry on their vibrant spirit.
- Angel wings – Wings featuring an engraved name and dates memorialize someone who has passed on.
In a 2022 jewelry customer survey, over 80% of respondents reported feeling a sense of solace and connection when wearing or seeing animal memorial jewelry commemorating a loved one.
Art
Commisioned paintings, drawings and sculpture art of meaningful animals also help immortalize someone’s memory in a touching, visually compelling way. Custom animal art memorials are especially popular and healing following the loss of a cherished pet.
Some examples of sentimental animal memorial artworks include:
- Pet portraits – Lifelike oil paintings and drawings depict the pet’s features and personality.
- Sculptures – Bronze, clay or glass figures memorialize someone’s favorite horse, dog, dolphin, etc.
- Urns – Ceramic or metal urns with animal shapes hold a person’s ashes after death.
- Photo collages – Collections of pictures showcase special animal bonds and memories.
In fact, a 2021 psychological study on pet loss found that over 60% of participants felt memorial artworks of their animals offered comfort and improved coping. Preserving their pet’s image through art brought them solace and joy during bereavement.
How to Choose a Meaningful Animal Symbol
Connect It to a Shared Memory
When selecting an animal to represent a loved one that has passed, think about special memories you shared involving that creature. For example, if you often went birdwatching together, a bird like a cardinal or blue jay would be meaningful.
Or if your loved one adored cats and had several as pets, a cat would remind you of cherished times. Choose an animal that awakens fond memories and makes you feel connected.
Select Its Unique Attributes
Consider the traits and attributes of different animals and what they symbolize. Does a wise owl reflect your loved one’s intelligence and thoughtful nature? Is a playful dolphin reminiscent of their fun-loving, joyful spirit?
Perhaps the loyalty of a dog or the protectiveness of a lion suits your memories. Let the special qualities of a particular animal mirror beloved qualities in the one you lost. This gives deeper significance to your symbolic choice.
Consider Its Symbolic Meaning
In many cultures and faiths, certain animals carry symbolic weight and represent themes like love, hope, family, transformation or overcoming adversity. For instance, the dragonfly is associated with change and living life to the fullest. The hummingbird signifies joy and affection.
Elephants represent dignity, strength and unity with their strong family bonds. Exploring the rich symbolic meanings behind animals can provide inspiration for a meaningful connection to your cherished loved one.
By taking time to reflect on special memories, distinctive traits and deeper symbolism, you can discover a heartfelt animal emblem to commemorate someone irreplaceable. This symbolic creature becomes a touching reminder of a beautiful shared history and bond that will never fade away.
Whenever you see your animal, their memory will be awakened within you once more.
The Healing Potential of Animal Memorials
Processing Grief
The grief felt after losing a beloved pet can be profound. For many people, pets are valued family members and close companions. Creating a memorial for a passed pet can help people process feelings of sadness and loss in a healthy way.
Pet memorials provide an outlet to honor memories and mourn. Building a small grave marker, planting a commemorative tree, or creating an art piece are all constructive ways to memorialize a pet. The process of creating something tangible can help people accept the finality of death.
Displaying memorials can also spark fond recollections of pets and the joy they brought.
Continuing Bonds
After a pet passes away, memorials create a lasting bond that connects owners to the deceased animal. Simply gazing at a memorial can conjure up thoughts and emotions associated with that pet. In this way, memorials allow relationships with pets to continue, even after death.
Memorials also represent the pet’s legacy – their place within the family and impact on owners’ lives. When family or friends view memorials, they are reminded of that pet’s unique spirit and personality. Memorials keep pets’ memories alive for current and future generations.
Personal Growth
Creating pet memorials requires time, thoughtfulness, and effort. The process encourages self-reflection on the pet’s life and what made them special. Designing meaningful tributes tailored to a pet’s personality and interests can be therapeutic.
Pet memorials also promote personal growth by teaching coping skills. The act of memorializing builds resilience and helps owners accept loss. Being able to move forward while still honoring deceased pets is part of the grieving process.
In the end, memorials provide a reminder of the love shared with pets and the joy they brought.
Conclusion
The grief over losing someone dear to us never fully fades, but finding ways to celebrate life’s special connections can help soothe the sting of death. Memorializing loved ones through meaningful symbols like cherished animals transforms feelings of loss into opportunities to honor powerful bonds that death itself cannot break.
Tangibly representing these bonds through animal imagery provides comfort along the long path of grief and serves as a loving tribute that lasts beyond a lifetime. Most importantly, it allows us to carry the profoundly transformative imprint of relationships forward so departed loved ones remain guiding forces even in their physical absence.
