Prayer for the Death of a Beloved Pet

By Rabbi Barry H. Block

            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.