Memorial pet portraits: a gentle guide to remembering a companion

When a pet dies, the house can feel suddenly and strangely quiet. Many people find comfort in having something to look at that holds the memory of their companion, and a portrait can be part of that. This guide is here to help if you are thinking about one, whether for yourself or for someone you care about. There is no right time and no right way, so take whatever is useful and leave the rest.

There is no hurry

Some people want a portrait straight away, while the loss is fresh, and find that it helps. Others need weeks or months before they can look through photos at all. Both are completely normal. If you are not ready, it is fine to set this aside and come back to it later. Your photos will still be there.

Choosing the photos

Going through pictures of a pet who has died can be hard, and you may find there are fewer good ones than you expected, especially from their last years. A few things help.

What makes a photo work

• A clear view of the face, with the eyes visible, matters more than anything else.
• Photos taken in soft daylight usually keep colour and markings most accurately.
• Original files from a phone or camera hold more detail than copies saved from messages or social media.
• Uploading two or three photos, such as a face close-up and one showing the body and coat pattern, gives more to work from.

Older or imperfect photos

If your best pictures are prints, lay them flat in daylight and photograph them straight on, or scan them. A slightly blurred photo that captures your pet's expression may still be the right one, and looser styles such as watercolour or pencil are more forgiving of soft detail than realistic painting. Our advice on choosing photos goes into more detail.

It is important to be honest here. The artwork is created by AI, and while we aim to preserve species, face shape, markings and eye colour, we cannot promise an exact likeness. That matters more for a memorial than for any other portrait. If the first result does not feel like your pet, you can request 2 extra versions through Try another version, and you are always welcome to get in touch with us if something does not feel right.

Choosing a style

Memorial portraits are often quieter than other styles, but there is no rule. Some people want something gentle; others want the portrait to be as bright and funny as their pet was.

• The memorial tribute portrait is designed for remembrance, with a calm composition and room for a name and dates.
• A soft watercolour has a light, tender feel that many people find comforting.
• Black and white portraits and pencil drawings feel timeless and sit easily in almost any room.
• A flower meadow scene can show a pet in a peaceful outdoor setting.
• If your pet was a real character, a royal or costume style can capture the personality everyone remembers.

Adding words

You can add your pet's name, a date or two, or a short dedication, with a choice of fonts and a live preview. Short usually works best: a name and years, or a phrase your family always used. Text is added by our software after the artwork is created, so the name will be spelled exactly as you type it. Take a moment to check dates and spellings before you confirm.

A portrait for someone else

A memorial portrait can be a deeply kind gift, but grief is personal and timing matters. If you are not sure how a friend will feel, consider asking gently first, or letting them know the offer is there whenever they would like it. Ask someone close to them for a favourite photo rather than choosing one yourself, because the picture they love may not be the sharpest one.

Where to keep it

Some people want the portrait somewhere they pass every day; others prefer a quieter spot, such as a bedroom or a desk. A small framed print on a shelf beside a collar or name tag can feel right. A digital file can also be kept on a phone or shared with family members who loved the pet too. If you plan to print, keep the portrait out of strong direct sunlight to protect the colours.

Support with pet loss

Losing a pet is a real bereavement, and it is fine to need support. In the UK, Blue Cross offers pet bereavement support, and in the US the ASPCA provides pet loss resources. Children often feel the loss of a pet keenly too, and some find it helps to be involved in choosing a photo or the words for a portrait.

However you choose to remember your companion, we hope this has been of some help. Take your time, choose the photo that feels most like them, and let the portrait be one small part of remembering a life that mattered.