Support, Loss & Encouragement
Flowers for the Loss of a Pet
When someone loses a pet, send warm, comforting flowers — roses, alstroemeria, daisies, or a soft seasonal mix — that treat the loss as the real grief it is. Skip any hint that it was "just a pet" or that they can get another one; a companion of many years deserves the same gentleness you would offer for any loss.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
Flowers That Fit
Rose
Rosa × hybridaThe most requested cut flower in the world — dependable, expressive, and available in nearly every color.
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria aureaThe workhorse of the cooler — long-lasting, budget-friendly, and multiple blooms on every stem.
Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgareCheerful, unpretentious blooms that read as fresh, friendly, and honest.
Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorumRuffled, rose-like blooms on airy stems — soft romance with a longer vase life than it looks.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera jamesoniiBig, bold, single-bloom daisies in pure saturated colors — the definition of a cheerful flower.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus cinereaThe most-used foliage in modern floristry — silvery blue-green leaves with a clean, aromatic finish.
Colors That Work
Worth Avoiding
- —A dismissive, cheerful tone — this is grief, and it should be honored as grief
- —Card language suggesting a replacement pet — it minimizes what they lost
- —Overly formal funeral styling — keep it warm and personal instead
The Practical Part
How big to go
Small to medium — a heartfelt, personal arrangement. This is intimate grief, and a modest, warm bouquet suits it well.
Where to send it
Home, where the absence is most keenly felt and where the pet lived. This is where comfort is needed.
When to send it
In the first few days after the loss, while the house feels suddenly quiet. A follow-up note a couple of weeks later is a kind touch, since pet grief is often quietly dismissed by others.
What to spend
A modest to moderate arrangement is right — warmth matters more than grandeur here. If the household included children who are grieving too, a small, cheerful bouquet they can help care for can be a gentle comfort.
What To Write On The Card
The card is the hard part. Take any of these as-is, or as a starting point.
“I am so sorry. They were family, and family is family.”
“So many good years, so much love. I am thinking of you.”
“The house must feel so quiet. I am here whenever you need me.”
“What a lucky companion, to have been loved by you.”
“Grieving with you. They mattered, and so does your heartbreak.”
Mistakes People Make
- Treating the loss as minor because it was an animal
- Suggesting they get a new pet before they have grieved this one
- Using cold, formal sympathy language when warmth fits far better
Common Questions
Is it appropriate to send flowers when someone's pet dies?
Yes — for many people a pet is family, and losing one is genuine grief. A warm, personal arrangement with a note that honors the pet rather than minimizing the loss is a thoughtful and increasingly common gesture.
What do you say when someone loses a pet?
Acknowledge the loss simply and warmly: "I am so sorry, they were family." Avoid suggesting a replacement or implying it was only a pet. Naming the years of love and the quiet the house now holds tends to comfort more than anything else.
Ready when you are
Send The Right Thing
Browse arrangements that fit this occasion, or call and tell us the situation — a designer will choose with you.