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Words for a pet funeral without religion

These funerals use no religious language. Every step is in order, with the words they use, and the host can change or leave out any of them.

A simple goodbye

A short, simple gathering with no religious language: a moment to arrive, your own words, memories from everyone, a moment of silence and a goodbye.

The order of steps

  1. GatheringPeople are still arriving. There's no rush.
  2. Opening words (optional)The host welcomes everyone.

    We're here to remember [your pet's name]. Thank you for coming.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  3. In their own words (optional)Share what you wrote.
  4. Memories (optional)Anyone can share a memory in the chat. Each one will show up in turn.
  5. A moment of silence (optional)A quiet moment together, for as long as feels right.
  6. FarewellYou can light a candle or leave a flower, if you'd like.

    Thank you for the time we had with [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A small funeral at home

A short service with no religious content. You welcome everyone, say a few words, and people share stories. About 15 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. WelcomeGive people a minute to settle in, then read this or use your own words.

    Thank you for being here. We've come together to remember [your pet's name] and say goodbye.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. your pet's storyHow you met, what their days were like, what made them who they were. A few sentences is enough.
  3. A reading (optional)A poem, a passage from a book, or anything that says what you want to say. Skip it if you'd like.
  4. Stories from everyoneInvite anyone who wants to share. Funny stories are welcome. Nobody has to say anything.
  5. A quiet moment (optional)About a minute. You can end it whenever it feels right.

    Let's take a quiet moment, each in our own way.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  6. Saying goodbyeRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for coming, and for caring. Take care of each other.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A celebration of life

A warm gathering about the life your pet had, with music, stories and an optional toast. No religious content. About 20 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Music as people arrive (optional)If there's a song you want, tell people the name so they can play it on their own phones. There's no shared audio in the room.
  2. WelcomeRead this or use your own words.

    We're here to celebrate [your pet's name]'s life, and how much better it made ours. It's okay to smile today, and it's okay to cry.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  3. The life they hadTell it like a story: where they came from, their habits, the things they loved and the things they flat-out refused to do.
  4. What people rememberAsk for stories, including the funny ones. People can type them if talking is too hard.
  5. A toast (optional)Anyone with a glass or a mug nearby can raise it, whatever's in it.
  6. A quiet moment (optional)A short pause before you wrap up.
  7. ClosingRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll always have the good days.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A goodbye at the graveside

A short service at a resting place, whether the burial was today or years ago. No religious content. About 12 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. GatheringThis works just as well if the burial was years ago, or if there wasn't one. If you're also burying your pet at home, check your local rules first, since they vary by state and city.

    We've come here to say goodbye to [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. A few wordsSay what you'd want said here. It can be very short.
  3. Laying flowersPeople come forward one at a time, at their own pace.
  4. Marking the place (optional)Some families set a stone or plant a tree here. You can tell people what you're planning, or skip this.
  5. A quiet moment (optional)About a minute.
  6. Saying goodbyeRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for being here with us.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

Remembering your walks together

A quiet gathering in a park to remember the walks you took together, for a pet who loved being outside. Nobody has to go anywhere. About 15 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Getting togetherLet people know you'll be sharing memories of the walks you took with your pet.

    We're here to remember the walks we took with [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. The walks you rememberWhere did you like to go? What did your pet always stop for? Invite people to share a favorite walk in the chat.
  3. A quiet momentPicture a favorite spot from those walks, then stay quiet together for a minute.
  4. Leaving a flower (optional)Anyone who'd like to can leave a flower.
  5. ClosingRead this or close in your own words. If you'd like, you can take one of those walks in real life another day.

    Thank you for remembering those walks with us.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

Saying goodbye by the water

A short service at the shore, for people scattering ashes or just wanting open water and sky. You don't need ashes to hold it. About 12 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Gathering at the shoreRead this or use your own words.

    We've come to the water to say goodbye to [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. A few wordsWhat this place means, or what your pet meant to you. Keep it as short as you like.
  3. A moment for letting go (optional)If you plan to scatter ashes, you'd do that in the real place, on your own time. Many beaches, parks and public waters have rules, so check first. Keeping the ashes is just as good, and so is not having any.
  4. A flower at the water (optional)People come forward one at a time.
  5. Listening to the waterAbout a minute.
  6. Saying goodbyeRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for coming to the water with us.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A quiet goodbye alone

For when you'd rather do this by yourself. No guests, nothing to organize, and nobody to put on a brave face for. It doesn't matter how long it's been. About 10 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. ArrivingNobody can come in unless you share the link. You can stop and leave anytime, and come back another day.

    There's no rush here.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. RememberingLook at your pet's photo, or hold something of theirs if you have it. Whatever comes up is okay.
  3. What you want to sayWrite it, say it out loud, or just think it. Nobody else needs to see it. Things you never got to say are welcome here.
  4. A candle (optional)Only if you'd like one.
  5. Sitting quietlyAs long as you like.
  6. When you're readyEnd it whenever you want. You can also just stay a while.

    That's all there is to it. You said goodbye.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A letter and a song

Built around one letter to your pet and one song that always makes you think of them. Small enough for two people. About 12 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Settling inRead this or use your own words.

    We're here to listen to a letter and a song for [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. The song (optional)Share the name of the song and why it matters. People can play it on their own phones, since there's no shared audio in the room. Please don't paste the lyrics here.
  3. A letter to your petYou might write about what they gave you, what you gave them, and what you still wish you could say. Read all of it, part of it, or just keep it to yourself.
  4. Anything to add (optional)Anyone with you can add a memory, or just be there with you.
  5. A quiet moment (optional)About a minute.
  6. ClosingRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for listening.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A candle and a photo

A small table with a photo, a flower and a candle. No faith is implied, and you can make it your own. About 12 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Gathering at the tableRead this or use your own words.

    We set this small table to remember [your pet's name].

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. Lighting the candleUsually the person closest to your pet does this. At home, never leave a real candle burning unattended.
  3. A flower (optional)Anyone who'd like to can lay one by the photo.
  4. What we rememberStart with one small thing. Others can follow.
  5. A quiet moment (optional)About a minute, watching the candle if you like.
  6. Saying goodbyeRead this or close in your own words.

    Thank you for sitting with us.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

Bringing the ashes home

A small family moment for the day the ashes came home: a few words, a spot for them, and some memories. No religious language. About 10 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Coming togetherGather near the spot you have in mind, if you have one. There's no right place, and you can always change it later.
  2. Why todaySay why you wanted to mark this day, in your own words or with these.

    Today [your pet's name]'s ashes came home. We didn't want today to go by like any other day, so we're marking it together.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  3. A spot for the ashes (optional)Tell everyone where the ashes will stay, if you've decided. Anyone who'd like to can light a candle or leave a flower here.
  4. Life at home (optional)Invite people to share a small, everyday memory of your pet at home. Short is fine.
  5. A quiet moment (optional)Stay quiet together for as long as feels right, then keep going when you're ready.
  6. ClosingThank everyone, and let people stay or go when they're ready.

    Thank you for being here today.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

A small goodbye

A short goodbye for just a few people in a quiet room, with your pet's photo up front. You don't need ashes or a burial for this, and there's no religious language. About 10 minutes.

The order of steps

  1. Getting settledGive people a minute to find a seat, then read this or use your own words.

    Thanks for being here. We wanted to say goodbye to [your pet's name] with the people who knew them best.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

  2. A few wordsSay what you'd like people to know about your pet. A couple of sentences is plenty.
  3. What we remember (optional)Invite people to share a favorite story in the chat. Funny ones count.
  4. A quiet moment (optional)About a minute. Move on whenever it feels right.
  5. Saying goodbyeRead this or use your own words. Anyone who'd like to can light a candle or leave a flower.

    We're so glad [your pet's name] was part of our lives. Thank you for being here today.

    Source: Written for Bridgeside

When you are ready

Choose this funeral when you hold one, and change any of the words to fit your pet.

Hold a free funeral with these words