I know this isn’t easy. Finding the right words after losing a pet can feel harder than choosing the stone itself. This page is here to help.
You want to get it right.
Not perfect. Not impressive. Just right.
Something that still means something ten years from now, when you’re standing in the garden, looking down at the stone, and it brings them back. A flash of memory. The way they moved. The sound of them. The way your home felt when they were in it.
Their name and a simple expression of love can be enough. You don’t need to capture their whole life in a few words.
Start with the basics
Most pet memorials come down to three things.
Their name. Usually the main focus of the stone. It’s who they were.
Their years. We generally recommend just the years, 2012–2024 for example, rather than the full birth and passing dates. Years feel quieter and more timeless, and they leave more room for a personal phrase. That said, some families want the full dates and that’s completely fine. A memorial is a little like a canvas — it’s yours to make your own. We’re just here to share what tends to look best and help you make the most of the space on the stone.
One short phrase. The epitaph. The thing that captures who they were, or what they meant to you.
Here’s a simple example of how those three things look together:
BAILEY
2012 – 2026
Forever Loved
That’s it. Clean, timeless, and completely personal because it has their name on it.
From there, you can personalize it with a nickname, a line that captures their personality, or a phrase that reflects what they meant to your family. Every stone is custom made, so you can also add a second line, decorative symbols like a paw print or heart, or a photo engraving. What fits comfortably depends on the stone size, the photograph, and the wording you choose. But if you’re not sure where to start, start with those three elements. You can always build from there.
What do you want to remember?
Before you scroll through examples, ask yourself this: when you look at the stone, what memory do you want it to bring back?
Maybe it’s the way they greeted you at the door. The weight of them on the bed. The sound of their breathing in a quiet room.
Maybe it’s a particular moment. A walk you took. A morning routine. The way they looked at you like you were the whole world.
That memory, that feeling — that’s where your inscription lives. You’re not just choosing a quote. You’re choosing something that takes you back to the animal who was yours every time you read it.
Choosing your epitaph
This is the part most people find hardest. Here are some of the most meaningful inscriptions, grouped by what they’re trying to say.
Read through them slowly. See which one makes you feel something. That’s usually the sign you’re close.
Feel free to change the pronouns or adapt any phrase to sound like your pet.
Simple and timeless
These work for almost any pet, any memorial, any family. Short, honest, and they hold up over years.
- Forever loved
- Always in our hearts
- Loved always, missed always
- Gone from sight, never from our hearts
- Our faithful friend
- Beloved companion
- Never forgotten
- Always remembered
About who they were
For pets with a strong personality, the ones whose presence everyone felt.
- The best boy
- The best girl
- Loyal. Loving. Irreplaceable.
- Gentle soul, enormous heart
- He greeted every day like it was the best one yet
- She made our house a home
- She ran the house and we were grateful
- The bravest heart we ever knew
- He never asked for much and gave us everything
About what they gave you
These speak to the relationship, what this animal meant to the people left behind.
- You gave us your whole heart
- Thank you for every walk
- You were family
- You made every day better
- Home was wherever you were
- Thank you for choosing us
- We were better for having loved you
- You gave us more than you’ll ever know
Spiritual and hopeful
For families where faith is part of remembrance.
- Until we meet again
- Safe in God’s keeping
- At peace in Heaven
- Run free, sweet one
- Wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge
- Gone ahead, not gone forever
- We’ll find each other again
For dogs
- The best boy. Always.
- Loyal to the last
- My favourite walking companion
- So much more than a good dog
- Faithful. Joyful. Irreplaceable.
- He made every walk feel like the first one
- The whole world was better when you were in it
- She wagged her whole body, not just her tail
- Too good for this world, but ours for a while
For cats
- Loved on her own terms, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way
- Queen of the windowsill
- She chose us. We were lucky.
- Independent. Irreplaceable. Adored.
- He came and went as he pleased, and we were grateful every time he stayed
- She had opinions about everything, and we miss every one of them
- He never needed much. He gave us everything.
- Quietly devoted. Deeply missed.
For horses
- Powerful. Gentle. Unforgettable.
- She carried us through more than miles
- He taught us more than we ever taught him
- A great horse leaves hoofprints on your heart
- Strong, gentle, and dearly loved
- Every ride was a gift
- She didn’t just carry our weight, she carried our hearts
- Gone from the field. Never from our hearts.
Short and quiet, when less is more
Sometimes a single word says everything.
- Loyal
- Beloved
- Adored
- Faithful
- Joy
- My heart
- Always mine
- Forever ours
A few complete examples
Here’s how a finished inscription might look on the stone:
Or if you prefer to have a portrait of your pet alongside the inscription, here is how that might look on stone:
If you want to add a closing line from the family, it can sit just beneath the main phrase as a final thought. Something like “Thank you for every walk” or “We were better for having loved you.” It’s one of the most moving things a stone can carry, because it speaks directly from the people who are still here.
Practical questions people ask us
What if I don’t know their exact birth date? Dates are optional. Their name and a tribute phrase stand beautifully on their own. If you only know the year, that’s enough.
Can I use their nickname? Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it. Use the name the family actually used. That’s who they were.
How much wording will fit? It depends on the size of the stone and whether you’re including a photo engraving. Longer inscriptions generally require smaller lettering or leave less room for the portrait. We’ll always let you know what works best for the layout you choose.
Can I see how it’ll look before anything is engraved? Yes, always. We send you a digital proof before we touch the stone. You can review the layout, request changes, and only give us the go-ahead when you’re happy with what you see.
When you can’t find the words
Sometimes grief makes language feel out of reach. If that’s where you are, start smaller.
Write their name. Add the years if you’d like. Then ask: what one thing is still true?
Were they loyal? Gentle? Ridiculous? Comforting? Adored? Even one word can become the heart of an inscription.
For many families, the final choice is surprisingly simple. A name. A photograph. Three words that still bring tears because they’re true.
That’s enough. More than enough.
When you’re ready, browse our memorial designs. Once you’ve placed your order, we’ll prepare a layout for your approval before anything is engraved.
