Start with the basics
Begin with the simple facts: your pet's full name or the nickname they were best known by, their species and breed if relevant, and the dates that mark the beginning and end of their life with you — whether that is a birth date or the day you brought them home, through to the day they passed.
Describe their personality
This is often the heart of a pet obituary. Think about the words friends and family would use to describe your companion — mischievous, gentle, stubborn, affectionate, fearless — and let those qualities shape the tone of what you write.
Include their favourite things
Favourite activities, toys, foods or places bring an obituary to life. A dog who never missed a chance to chase a tennis ball, or a cat who claimed a particular windowsill as their own, becomes far more vivid to the reader than a simple list of facts.
Mention the people and pets who loved them
Naming the family members, friends or fellow pets who shared your companion's life helps to place them within the fuller story of your household, and can be a meaningful way to acknowledge everyone who is grieving alongside you.
Share a special memory
A single, specific memory — a funny moment, a comforting habit, or a particularly meaningful day together — often says more than a general description ever could. Choose one that feels true to who your pet was.
End with a closing tribute
Close with a short line that expresses what your pet meant to you and your family. This does not need to be elaborate; often the simplest, most honest words are the most moving.
Use the template below
The interactive template further down this page lets you fill in each of these elements — name, dates, personality, favourite activities, family, a special memory and a closing line — and see them woven together into a draft obituary as you type. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere; it is simply there to help you find your words, which you can then copy and use however you like, including on your pet's memorial page.
There is no need to get it perfect
Remember that an obituary can always be edited later. Many people find it easier to write a rough first version and refine it over the following days, rather than trying to capture everything perfectly in one sitting.