Personalized Memorial & Pet Memorial Gifts: A Gentle Guide

If you're looking for a personalized memorial gift, whether for a friend who has lost a parent or for your own family after saying goodbye to a pet, the most meaningful choices are quiet ones: a name, their dates, sometimes a photo, on something that can be kept close. This guide gathers the memorial and pet memorial keepsakes we make in our Brampton, Ontario studio, with some gentle notes on choosing one.

Choosing a memorial gift

There's no perfect gift for grief, and nothing replaces showing up, a meal dropped off or a phone call. A keepsake simply says, "I remember them too." A few things can help you choose:

• Keep it simple. A name and dates are often enough. A short line like "Forever in our hearts" can be added, but it isn't required.
• Think about where it will live. Some people want something they can wear every day; others want something they can put away and take out when they're ready.
• Ask before using a photo. If you'd like a photo engraved, it's kind to check with the family, or to ask someone close for a picture they love.
• There's no deadline. A memorial gift sent weeks or months later, on a birthday or the first holiday, can mean just as much.

Memorial gifts for a loved one

A keepsake box for the little things

The In Loving Memory Keepsake Box (from $39.99) is a natural wood box with a hinged lid and a metal clasp, its lid engraved with "In Loving Memory", their name and their dates. It's a place to keep letters, photos, cards, the funeral program and small mementos together.

A memorial picture frame

The Memorial Picture Frame 4x6 (from $27.99) has "Forever in our hearts" engraved across the top and their name and years along the bottom. You can keep our wording or type your own. It's a thoughtful sympathy gift because it gives a favourite photo a permanent home.

A photo necklace to keep them close

The Memorial Photo Necklace (from $39.99) engraves their photo directly into a 30 mm polished stainless steel disc, with their name and dates on the back. Nothing is printed, glued or sealed under glass, so it won't peel or fade.

When a whole family is grieving, the Family Memorial Photo Necklace Set (from $109.99) puts the same photo on 3, 4 or 5 matching necklaces, with an illustrated remembrance card made from that photo. Parents, siblings and grandparents can each keep the same face close.

A memorial ornament for the holidays

The first Christmas after a loss is often the hardest. The In Loving Memory Photo Ornament (from $17.99) engraves their photo as a detailed portrait, with their name, dates and a short line, so they're part of the tree every year.

Pet memorial gifts

Losing a dog, cat or other companion is a real loss, and the people who loved them often feel it hasn't been acknowledged. A pet memorial gift tells them it has.

A pet memorial ornament

The Pet Memorial Ornament with Photo (from $17.99) engraves your pet's portrait into wood with their name and dates. If you don't have a good photo, or would prefer something simpler, the Paw Print Pet Memorial Ornament (from $15.99) uses an engraved paw print with their name, dates and a short line like "Always by my side". No photo is needed.

A keepsake box for collars and tags

The Pet Memorial Keepsake Box (from $39.99) is engraved with your pet's name, a paw print and their dates. It's a gentle place for a collar, tags, photos and a favourite toy.

Matching necklaces for the family

The Pet Memorial Photo Necklace Set (from $99.99) engraves one pet photo on each necklace, with an illustrated remembrance card from the same photo, so everyone who loved them can wear one.

See every piece in our Memorial & Pet Keepsakes collection.

Choosing a good photo

Engraving works best with a clear, well-lit photo where the face, or your pet, fills most of the frame and is in focus. Phone photos are fine. If the only photos you have are older or a little blurry, send what you have and add a note in the "Anything we should know?" box on the product page.

What to write in the card

If you're sending a memorial gift, a few honest words are enough. Some ideas:

• "Thinking of you and remembering [name] with so much love."
• "I hope this gives you a place to keep a few of your favourite memories."
• For a pet: "[Name] was such a good friend to you. I'm so sorry."

Our memorial ornaments and necklaces are also in our Christmas ornaments and personalized necklaces collections.

FAQ

What is a good sympathy gift instead of flowers?

A personalized keepsake, like a memorial picture frame, a keepsake box or an ornament with their name, lasts long after flowers fade and gives the family somewhere to keep their memories.

Can I send a memorial gift directly to the family?

Yes. Enter their address at checkout and add a gift note in the cart, and we include it in the parcel. Shipping is free to Canada and the US.

What if I don't have a photo of the pet?

Choose the Paw Print Pet Memorial Ornament or the Pet Memorial Keepsake Box. Both use an engraved paw print and their name, with no photo needed.

What if something isn't right when it arrives?

If your order arrives damaged or different from what you entered, email us within 14 days with a photo and we'll remake it or refund you in full. See returns and our guarantee.