Pet Memorial Stones: Materials, Inscriptions and Placement

A pet memorial stone is a marker for a pet's grave, a garden or a favorite spot. You can have one with or without ashes. For a stone that stays outdoors, granite is the safer material, because the US Geological Survey says marble and limestone are more affected by acid rain and pollution. Keep the wording short, and check local rules before you bury anything or place a stone in a cemetery.

What is a pet memorial stone?

It is a stone, plaque or marker that remembers a pet. The main kinds are:

• A grave marker, placed over a burial at home or in a pet cemetery.
• A garden stone, set in a flower bed or under a tree as a place to sit and remember.
• A stepping stone or plaque, set into a path or fixed to a wall or planter.
• A small indoor keepsake stone, if you have no garden or you rent.

A stone does not need to mark a burial. Many people place one for a pet who was cremated, or whose ashes are kept in an urn. Our guide to pet memorial products compares stones with urns, jewelry and other keepsakes.

Which stone lasts outdoors?

Ask how a stone will weather before you fall in love with it. The USGS says marble and limestone are more likely to show damage from acidic precipitation and urban pollution, and that granite and sandstone are less affected. It also says stone deterioration has many causes, so no material is permanent.

A large, low-quality stone is not better than a smaller one made for outdoor use. Ask whether it is sold for memorials.

What should you write on it?

Keep it short, so the lettering stays readable as the stone ages.

• The pet's name, and the years or dates.
• A short line, such as "Forever loved" or "Good dog".
• A nickname only your family used.
• A small symbol, such as a paw print, a bone or a ball.

Ask the maker how the lettering is cut, how deep, and how it holds up outdoors. If you want a photo, ask how it will be applied and how it ages. The same questions apply to a QR code plaque if you want one that links to photos and stories.

Where should you put it?

Put it somewhere you will visit, such as a sunny patch or under a tree your pet liked. If it marks a burial, check the rules first. The ASPCA says it may be legal to bury a pet on your own property depending on local laws, and that burial on public lands such as parks is typically illegal. See our guide to home pet burial laws.

• Call 811 before digging. It is the free national service that marks buried utilities, and it applies to planting a tree or setting a stone too. Call a few business days ahead.
• Give a heavy stone a level base. A bed of gravel or a paver helps keep it from sinking or tipping.
• Think about renting or moving. A garden stone stays with the property, but an urn or keepsake goes with you.

If your pet is in a pet cemetery, ask for the written rules on size, material and lettering before you order. Our guide to pet cemetery burial explains how these cemeteries work.

Which plants are safe around a pet memorial?

Check plants against the ASPCA list before you plant, especially if you have other pets.

• Lilies are listed as toxic to cats. The ASPCA notes kidney failure.
• Azalea is listed as toxic to dogs and cats.
• Lavender is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, and to horses.
• Sunflowers are listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

The ASPCA says its list is not all-inclusive and that any plant material can upset a pet's stomach. Its Poison Control line is 888-426-4435, and a consultation fee may apply.

How do you clean and care for the stone?

The National Park Service says to use the gentlest means possible.

1. Start with water and a soft brush. Use a neutral pH, non-ionic cleaner only if water is not enough.
2. Test first. Try any cleaner on a small hidden spot and let it dry before judging.
3. Skip power washers, wire brushes and harsh chemicals such as bleach or strong acids.
4. Do not clean in freezing weather, or within 48 hours of expected frost.
5. Clean rarely. Each cleaning removes a little stone, so once a year at most is the NPS advice for historic stones.

What if you have no ashes or no garden?

A stone works without either. You can set one in a planter, keep a small one indoors, or choose a different keepsake. See our guides to what to do with pet ashes, pet memorial jewelry and pet urn options.

What to do next

1. Decide whether the stone will mark a burial or simply remember your pet.
2. Check local burial rules or the cemetery's rules.
3. Choose a material made for outdoor use, and keep the wording short.
4. Ask for a proof of the lettering before it is cut.