Losing a beloved pet can be challenging for many. It is not uncommon for those part of religious affiliations to turn to prayer for comfort during difficult times. However, with all the prayers that relate to any loss that is available, it can sometimes be tough to find one that best describes the loss of a pet. To help you with this, we have compiled a list of 15 beautiful prayers to say when a pet dies.
Short Prayer to Say Farewell – Patti Wigington
Below is a short prayer by Patti Wigington. It gives thanks to pets for their companionship and love.
Faithful friend, loyal companion,
we say farewell to you now.
You have kept us warm at night,
protected our home
and offered us unconditional love.
For this we are thankful,
and we will remember you forever.
Prayer for a Dying Pet – Unknown
This is a relatively short prayer found on the Living Prayers website. The purpose of this prayer is to thank God for the time the pet was able to spend on earth and the comfort found in memories. It also asks God for support during this difficult time.
Prayer for a dying pet Dear Lord, as I grieve the loss of my pet.
My constant companion, my wonderful friend.
Give me sweet glimpses of heavenly grace,
Of life in renewal and the wonder you’ve made.
Comfort my heart with deep memories,
Of intimate bonds of dwelling with them.
Calm all my thoughts, they are safe in your arms,
Eternity has room for their precious hearts.
Help me to give thanks for the joy that they’ve been,
Soften my sadness, come stay close to me. Amen.
Prayer for the Death of a Pet – Rabbi Barry H. Block
Rabbi Barry H. Block wrote the next prayer we have selected. It focuses on remembering the joy the pet brought into people’s lives and the fond memories. It also gives thanks for the time the pet had on earth and asks that God watches over them in death.
O Lord our God, we come before You this day in sadness. (Pet’s name), who brought us so much joy in life, has now died. (His/Her) happy times in our family’s embrace have come to an end. We miss (pet’s name) already.
Help us, O God, to remember the good times with (pet’s name). Remind us to rejoice in the happy times (he/she) brought to our home. Let us be thankful for the good life we were blessed to give to (him/her).
We are grateful to You, God, for creating (pet’s name), for entrusting (him/her) to our care, and for sustaining (him/her) in our love for a measure of time. We understand that all that lives must die. We knew that this day would come. And yet, O God, we would have wanted one more day of play, one more evening of love with (pet’s name).
O God, as we have taken care of (pet’s name) in life, we ask that You watch over (him/her) in death. You entrusted (pet’s name) to our care; now, we give (him/her) back to You. May (pet’s name) find a happy new home in Your loving embrace.
As we remember (pet’s name), may we love each other more dearly. May we care for all Your creatures, for every living thing, as we protected the blessed life of (pet’s name). May (his/her) memory bless our lives with love and caring forever. Amen.
Catholic Prayer for Animals – Unknown
This next one is a Catholic prayer that can honour many animals at once. It thanks God for providing animals on earth for us to love and care for. It also extends the blessing to any animals that may be sick, hurt, passed, or dying and asks that God send them healing and strength in their time of need.
Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is a wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have.
Give us, their human friends, a new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of yours. They have trust in us as we have trust in You; We are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection and caring.
Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have.(Here, mention the names of the animals needing prayer)
Your goodness is turned upon every living thing, and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our petitions through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honoured You through all Your creatures.
A Pet’s Prayer – Hope Harrington Kolb
The following prayer is by Hope Harrington Kolb. In her prayer, she talks about how God put animals on earth as another way for us to receive and share God’s love. It also expresses gratitude for the experience.
My people are so precious, Lord;
I know You think so too…
And I believe You put me here
To love them just for You!
They take such gentle care of me
And have such tender hearts…
Please use me, Lord, to comfort them
Whenever teardrops start.
They face a lot of battles
As they live & work each day…
they need me, Lord.
To make them smile
And show them how to play!
The world is full of people.
But sometimes real friends are few…
Please let my love & loyalty
Remind them, Lord, of You.
And when my final moment comes,
Lord, tell them as we part…
I was a made-to-order gift
From Your great, loving heart!
A Parting Prayer – Brandy Duckworth
This next prayer is one written by Brandy Duckworth, addressing a girl pet. However, it can be tweaked slightly to address any pet. The prayer calls on God and St. Francis to guide the pet into the afterlife and says thanks for the time and memories gained during the pet’s life. It also asks for strength and courage during this challenging time.
Dear Lord, please open your gates
And call St. Francis
To come escort this beloved companion
Across the Rainbow Bridge.
Assign her to a place of honor,
For she has been a faithful servant
And has always done her best to please me.
Bless the hands that send her to you,
For they are doing so in love and compassion,
Freeing her from pain and suffering.
Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss
Help me remember the details of her life
With the love she has shown me
And grant me the courage to honor her
By sharing those memories with others.
Let her remember me as well
And let her know that I will always love her.
And when it’s my time to pass over into your paradise,
Please allow her to accompany those
Who will bring me home.
Thank you, Lord,
For the gift of her companionship
And for the time we’ve had together.
And thank you, Lord,
For granting me the strength
To give her to you now.
Amen.
Goodbye Prayer for a Beloved Pet – Unknown
This prayer is meant to be used to say the final goodbyes to a pet. It expresses gratitude for the time spent with the pet and comfort knowing that he/she is under the care of God now.
We gather today joining hearts as we honor the loss of our beloved pet (pet’s name) who made our days and our lives more enjoyable. Someday we hope to meet with you again (pet’s name) in eternity with hugs, kisses, and tears. We miss your daily presence and unending love in our daily lives.
Death ends a life but our relationship still lives on in my heart and in my memory of times we spent together. You are now free running the fields where we will meet again. You are restored to complete health. You are in God’s loving care forever. Amen
Prayer for Pets – Unknown
This short prayer thanks God for bringing the pet into one’s life, what was learned from the time spent with the pet, and the memories he/she left their loved ones with.
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, thank you for having entrusted us with such a loyal friend. Thank you for letting this beautiful animal teach us unselfish love. Thank you for the memories we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives. Finally, in gratitude, we return our cherished companion to you. Amen.
Prayer for the Burial of a Beloved Pet – Dennis McCarty
This next prayer by Dennis McCarty is meant to be recited at the burial of a pet. It serves as a final send off to the pet and a reminder of the joy he/she brought into people’s lives.
(In the) Spirit of Love and Remembrance, we mourn and honor [pet’s name].
In life he embodied: the one-ness of all living things. In death he bears witness: to love beyond the bounds of race, kin, or species. This is a love with which it is tasked upon us: to unite, heal, and consecrate.
From the stars have we come, from the soil do we spring, to the earth do we return. Ever and always are the ways of life, love, death, and eternity. Let us neither forget nor forsake the riches given unto us in lives and in loves. Let us rejoice in kinships of the spirit. Indeed, let us shed tears of remembrance. But let us also give bounteous thanks for all life which blesses us. Amen.
Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace – St. Francis of Assisi
This next prayer is written by St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of animals. It serves as a reminder to find peace in death as it is part of God’s plan.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Prayer for a dying pet – Unknown
This is a short prayer asking for God to share his kindness with the pet and help them in their journey into the afterlife.
Loving God, our beloved pet and companion, (Pet’s name)
is on his/her final journey. We will miss (Pet’s name) dearly.
We thank you for the gift that he/she has been to us.
Give us hope that, in your great kindness,
you may restore (Pet’s name) in your heavenly Kingdom
according to your wisdom,
which goes beyond our human understanding.”
Prayer in Memory of a Pet – Unknown
This prayer asks for God’s strength and courage during the grieving process. It also acknowledges that there is comfort in death, as it means the pet is no longer suffering.
Almighty God,
I was fortunate to receive the gift of (pet name) from You
Now that he (she) has left this life,
please help me cope with my loss with strength and courage.
I know that my beloved companion no longer suffers,
and will live on in many fond memories.
May they be treated with the care and respect
As he (she) has enriched my life,
I pray that I may enrich the lives of others.
Amen.
Rainbow Bridge – Unknown
This prayer focuses on the rainbow bridge. It paints it as a beautiful, nature-filled area between heaven and earth. All pets get to roam and play freely in this area while they wait for you to pass. Then, after you die, you are reunited again and cross the bridge together.
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called “The Rainbow Bridge” because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge,
there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
But there is only one thing missing.
They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.
So, each day, they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up.
The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one runs from the group.
You have been seen.
When you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again.
You look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then, you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Prayer for Pets Who have Died – Unknown
This is a general prayer asking for God to show love to pets that have died and give strength to those mourning the loss of a pet.
O God, you are infinite, unbounded love, and will not allow the love which exists between your creatures to perish: We pray for those animals who have died. Comfort all those who mourn, especially those who have lost a beloved pet. Amen.
Short General Prayer for the Loss of a Pet – Unknown
This prayer expresses comfort in knowing that God is with those mourning the loss of a pet. It also gives thanks to God for the time spent with the pet.
Heavenly Father… We know that not even a sparrow falls without your knowledge, so we know that you are here with us today. Although this beloved companion animal will be missed very much, we give thanks to you for allowing us to have so many wonderful years with her. Thank you for this and for all thy blessing, Lord. Amen.