What Pet Parents Look for in an End-of-Life Provider
By Coleen Ellis
For pet parents, the bond they share with their furry, feathered, or scaled companions transcends mere ownership. These cherished members of the family occupy a central place in the heart and home. When the time comes to say goodbye, finding the right end-of-life provider is a decision laden with emotion, requiring careful consideration of services, empathy, and trust.
As the pet care industry evolves, so too have the expectations surrounding end-of-life care. Today’s pet parents seek more than a clinical and cold transaction; they want compassionate, holistic support that honors their pet’s life and provides solace during one of the most challenging moments they’ll face. They want to know they have the support and resources to honor their pet like they would do for any other beloved family member.
Let’s explore what matters most to pet parents when choosing an end-of-life provider.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
Today’s pet parents are demanding more in every aspect of their pet’s death. While they are turning to trusted professionals to assist with the medical side of their pet’s care, they are furthermore finding the next process partner who, too, helps them in fulfilling their expectations for their pet’s final arrangements.
In the past, pet’s bodies have been stored in garbage bags in chest freezers, waiting to be transported to the crematory or cemetery. Pet parents have basically been at the mercy of their vet clinic as to what happens to their pet’s body after death.
Trust me when I tell you. The loving pet parent of today wants more.
Are you ready to be the more?
WHERE DOES IT START IN CARING FOR A BELOVED PET?
With this, let’s dig deeper into what today’s pet lovers are seeking after death. As mentioned, the past process has been placing a pet’s body in a trash bag and transporting it to the place of final arrangements. Consider:
• The Removal Process: Lovingly taking the pet’s body into your organization’s care in a pet casket or a specially designed shroud.
• 24/7 Availability: End-of-life needs can arise suddenly, and having access to a trusted professional at any hour provides immense peace of mind.
• Be Prepared to Offer Other Services: Giving the pet parent permission to come to your facility for a final good-bye, in a peaceful setting fitting for any loved family member.
• They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know: Offer the family the opportunity to hold a funeral or memorial service. Raise the bar of expectations, and create a new family endeared to YOU because you asked and offered.
MEMORIALIZATION OPTIONS
Memorialization has become an integral part of the grieving process for pet parents. Offering diverse and personalized options for honoring a pet’s memory is highly valued and allows your organization to have another revenue opportunity. Popular choices include:
• Memorial Services: From intimate ceremonies to more elaborate events, memorial services give families a chance to celebrate their pet’s life and find closure.
• Follow-Up Communication: A simple check-in call or continued support not only allows your funeral home to show you care but also gives you another marketing message. Endear yourself to the roughly 50% of your market who call themselves “mommy and daddy” with this caring act.
• Urns and Keepsakes: Most families choose cremation, with options for communal or private services. Providers who offer beautiful urns, keepsake jewelry, or other mementos ensure families can keep their pets close.
• Personalized Jewelry: Whether it’s a lovely pendant with a pet’s paw print or nose print (you know, noses are animal’s thumbprints! No two noses are alike!) or a vial to hold ashes or a locket of hair, pet lovers are proud to show their love for a sweet animal.
• Custom Memorials: Providers that partner with artists to create custom paintings, sculptures, or digital tributes give families unique ways to celebrate their pet’s life. Also, consider garden pieces and other creative permanent memorialization pieces to truly honor the lifestyle shared. These options allow families to remember their pets in ways that reflect the bond they shared and the pets’ individuality.
WHY THESE ELEMENTS MATTER
Ultimately, pet parents want to know that their beloved companion’s life and legacy will be treated with the care and respect they deserve. The grief of losing a pet is deeply personal, and the right end-of-life professional can make a profound difference in how families navigate this challenging time.
Death care professionals who excel in these areas don’t just meet expectations; they create a lasting impact, fostering gratitude and trust that extends far beyond the services rendered. Being the trusted resource for the beloved pet will certainly foster a sense of loyalty for the next family death experienced.
Furthermore, for pet parents, knowing their pet was honored, comforted, and cherished until the very end is the greatest gift an end-of-life professional can offer.
In 2004, the death of her dog, Mico, guided Ellis to start the Pet Angel Memorial Center. In 2009 She founded Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, assisting others in providing meaningful pet death care services, as well as being an educational resource in the pet grief discipline. She is Certified in Thanatology, a Certified Pet Loss Professional, and is a recognized international speaker, blogger, and mentor/coach for others looking to elevate their end-of-life skills. Ellis is a native of Kansas where she graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Administration.
This article was originally published in Southern Funeral Director Magazine, January 2025.