Pet Loss: What to Do, What It Costs and Where to Find Support
White Doe pet loss guide · updated November 2026
Nothing has to be decided in the first hour. Your vet can keep your pet while you think, and cremation, burial and memorials can all wait until you are ready. These are our calm, practical guides for UK pet owners, gathered in one place, with free support for when it all feels too much.
Start here
The first few daysWhat happens next, step by step, and what can wait.
Pet cremation explainedIndividual or communal, what to ask, and getting ashes back.
Grief and supportThere is no correct way to grieve, and you don't have to decide anything now.
What size urn do I need?Enter your pet's weight for the urn size that fits.
Free tools
Your pet's weight to the right urn size.What to write on a memorial
Words and inscriptions when you can't find your own.Memorial gift chooser
For someone who has lost a pet.
Free to print, share and link
- Free pet bereavement support in the UK · Every free helpline, chat and guide, checked live and dated.
Everything here is free for rescues, vets, clubs, schools and bloggers to print, hand out or link to. A credit link back to the page you used is kindly appreciated.
This season
- Christmas in heaven memorial gifts · For the first Christmas without them.
- First Christmas without them
Every guide, by topic
The first days
- When your pet dies: the first few days
- Pet cremation in the UK explained
- What to do with pet ashes
- Your pet's ashes are still in the box · For when you're not ready yet.
Grief and support
- Free pet bereavement support in the UK · Helplines and guides, checked November 2026.
- Pet loss support
- A gift for someone who has lost their dog
Choosing a memorial
- How to choose a pet urn
- Compare pet urns
- Compare cat urns
- Pet urns
- Dog urns
- Cat urns
- Dog memorial ideas
- Cat memorial ideas
- Pet garden memorial ideas
- What to write on a pet memorial
- Memorials made from your photos
Urn sizes by pet
- Urn size calculator
- Small dog urn size
- Large dog urn size
- Urn for a 30 kg dog
- Labrador
- Cockapoo
- Cocker Spaniel
- Staffie
- Springer Spaniel
- Border Collie
- Cat
- Kitten
Shop the collection
Pet urns · Cat urns · Memorial stones and grave markers · Garden memorials · Portraits and busts
Questions people ask
What should I do first when my pet dies?
Take a moment. If your pet died at home, call your vet: they can keep your pet and arrange cremation, or give you time to decide. Nothing about a memorial needs deciding on the day.
What is the difference between individual and communal cremation?
In an individual cremation your pet is cremated alone and you can have their ashes back. In a communal cremation several animals are cremated together and ashes are not returned. Ask the provider plainly which one you are getting.
Is there free support for pet loss in the UK?
Yes. The Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service is free and confidential, and Cats Protection runs Paws to Listen for cat owners. If you feel you can't cope, Samaritans answer on 116 123, day and night.
How do I know what size urn I need?
Urn size follows your pet's weight. Our urn size calculator turns your pet's weight into a size, with breed pages for common dogs and for cats.
Can I share or print these guides?
Yes. Vets, crematoria and rescues are welcome to link to any page or print it for families. A credit link back to the page is kindly appreciated.
If you are struggling, the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service is free and confidential. If you feel you can't cope, Samaritans are there day and night on 116 123.