For many, losing a pet is just as hard as losing a close human friend or family member. Dogs and cats often live with us for a decade or more. So, it’s no surprise that people want to do something special to remember their pet. There are many ways to do this, but one option in particular is popular among dog lovers. That is placing a pet memorial stone in your yard or garden. Pet memorial stones can be used to mark where your dog was buried; or their favorite spot in the yard. You can even place it in your favorite spot so the two of you can be close in spirit.
But with so many pet memorial stones to choose from it can be hard to find the right one. To help we have searched for the best pet memorial stones for you. Join us as we show you the 20 best pet memorial stones plus provide you will tips on how to choose the perfect stone.
Pet Memorial Stones – Your Questions Answered
What is a Pet Memorial Stone?
A pet memorial stone is a way to honor your pet after they have passed way. For many pet parents, our pets are just as important to us as the people in our lives. For this reason we want to honor them in the same way we honor people, with stone memorials to remember them with. Pet memorial stones may be made of real stone but many are not. Even if they are not made of stone, they take on the shape of a stone. They come in a variety of shapes, colors and materials. Some are made to be kept inside, but most are made to be outside. They can be used as a commemorative piece for a garden, to mark a grave site or hold ashes like an urn.
5 Things to Consider When Buying a Memorial Stone
1. Location
Before selecting a stone you need to decide where you will keep the stone. A few things to consider are;
- Is the stone for the inside or outside?
- Where will you place the memorial stone?
- Will it lie flat or be hung on a wall?
- If kept outside will it be in the shade or sun?
- Will it be in extreme cold or heat?
- Should it be purely decorative or functional; like a stepping stone you can walk on?
2. Purpose
What is the reason you are buying a pet memorials stone? A few reasons might be:
- As a keepsake to remember your beloved pet
- To honor your pet
- A place to hold the ashes
- To mark the burial spot of your cat, dog or other pet
- As a gift for someone who has lost a pet.
3. Personalized
Another thing to think about is whether the pet memorial stone should be personalized or not. When it comes to personalized pet memorial stones you then need to decide to what extent you want the stone personalized. Here are a few options to consider:
- Name and date of death
- Picture of pet along with name and date
- A poem or saying
- A special image that represents your pet
4. Size
When picking a pet memorial stone you should have an idea of what size stone you want. To a certain extent the size will be dictated by the location and purpose of the stone. Make sure to measure your location and carefully check the dimensions of the pet memorial stone. Also check the weight of the stone. Natural stones can be very heavy, while manmade stones are lightweight.
5. Materials
What material you choose for the memorial stone will have an effect on where you can place the stone and how long it will last. Pet memorial stones come in a variety of materials. Natural stones (like river rock) Granite, Concrete, Casted Stone, and resin are all used for pet memorials.
How Much Does a Pet Memorial Stone Cost?
The cost of a pet memorial stone depends on a few factors. Like; the size of the stone, materials used to create it and the level of customization. The average cost of a small, decorative, garden stone can range between $10 and $50. Larger personalized natural stone can cost between $50 and $150. A large granite memorial stone can cost $1000 or more. Of course there can be exceptions that do not fit in with these ranges.
What Do You Put On a Personalized Pet Memorial Stone?
Many pet memorial stones already come with a phrase and you just need to add your pets name and/or years to personalize it. Others allow you to completely personalize the stone with your own saying, a picture of your pet or other image that represents your beloved pet. This is in addition to the pet’s name and year.
If you are not sure what phrase you should add to the stone, here are a few simple words to choose from:
- You have left our lives but you can never leave our hearts
- “Don’t think of me as gone away, my journey’s just begun. Life holds so many facets, this earth is but one.” by Ellen Brenneman
- “Those we love don’t go away, we walk besides them every day” by Alex MacLean
- A faithful companion may be gone, but your memory will forever live on
- You left paw prints on my heart
- Your love and friendship will always be remembered
What Are Pet Memorial Stones Made Of?
Pet memorial stones that are sold for home use are often made from river rock, resin, cement, cast stone or granite. Resin is a durable but lightweight product that can be molded into different shapes. Cast stone can also be molded but it’s a denser product that resists weathering. Granite is the most durable, but also the most expensive product.
In comparison, the memorial stones or grave markers that are found in cemeteries are; granite, sandstone and quartzite.
Which Memorial Stone Material lasts the longest?
Although granite is one of the most commonly used rocks for a memorial stones and grave markers, it’s not necessarily the longest lasting. That honor goes to Quartzite. This is because Quartz, which is the primary ingredient in Quartzite, is one of the hardest stones. Therefore it is also the longest lasting stones when exposed to the elements.
On the Measures of Hardness Scale (MOHS), Quartz comes in at a 7. However, Granite and Sandstone also include Quartz in their physical makeup but to a lesser degree. Both of these stones have a MOHS rating between 6 and 7. As a point of reference, diamonds are rated a 10 on the scale.
So you might be asking why not use Quartz in memorial stones. The answer is Quartz rarely forms in slabs large enough to make memorials stones. But Quartize, Granite and Sandstone do.
Unfortunate there aren’t too many places that make small pet themed memorial stones out of Quartzite, so the next longest lasting stone to select for your pet memorial is Granite.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. However, I am not an affiliate for any of the other retailers listed in this post.
Pet Memorial Stone Options
Pet Grave Stone
If you are looking for a pet grave marker that looks like a headstone you would find in a pet cemetery, but is not too big our next set of stones might be right for you.
Stocking Factory
A less expensive option for a grave marker is this black granite pet memorial stone by The Stocking Factory. This pet grave marker is about half the cost of the Craved Impressions grave marker but it is also less than half the thickness. With that said, it has a very high rating making it a great alternative to the more expensive stones. You can personalize this stone with your pet’s name, dates and a saying such as “You Left Paw Prints on Our Hearts” or any other short saying of your choice. You can find this stone on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Made from Absolute Black Granite Stone
- Measures: 12″ x 6”
- Thickness: 3/8″
- Weighs 3.4 Lbs.
- Easily customizable
- Made in the USA
GraphicRocks Pet Grave Marker
If you are looking for a memorial stepping stone that is different from the others, this natural red stone can do the trick. The natural red stone is personalized with your dog’s name and dates. Includes two paw prints on the sides. This stone is available at Amazon.com
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Measures 12”x6”
- Weights: 6 pounds
- Hand cut shaped and engraved
- Made from natural stone
Dog Memorial Stones
If you are looking for a dog specific stone, these next stones are geared for dogs.
Orchid Valley Creations
First on our list of dog memorial stones is this round stone by Orchid Valley Creations. The stone is made from weatherproof poly resin and is embellished with paw prints and the inscription: “No longer by my side….but forever in my heart”. The stone can be used as a garden decoration or as a grave marker. You can find it at Amazon.com
Key Features:
- Made from weatherproof poly resin
- Measures 7 ¾ ” in diameter
- Thickness: just over half an inch
- Weight 2.12 pound
- Hand crafted in Western Australia
- This stone cannot be personalized
Pawprints Remembered
Honor a special dog with this next beautiful dog memorial stone. Stone comes in a free form shape and includes a heart outline with paw prints inside. The stone is etched with the copy written a poem “Missing your unconditional love and playful paws, we are now apart. Gone from our lives, but never from our heart”. You can find it at Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Made from weatherproof resin
- Measures 6″ High: 12″ Long and 0.5″ Thick.
- Weight 1.7 pounds
- Cannot be personalized
Memories to Stone
Last on our list of dog memorial stones is this round stone from Memories to Stone. The concrete stone features the words “In Loving Memory”. Made for the outdoors this stone is water resistant, and sealed with an outdoor sealant. You can customize the stone with your dog’s name and dates. You can find it at Amazon.com
Key Features:
- Made from Concrete
- Measures: 7.5” Diameter 1” Thick
- Weight 4 LBS
- Customize with name and dates
Rainbow Bridge Garden Stone
If you are looking for a colorful dog memorial stone than the Personal Creations exclusive “Over the Rainbow Bridge Garden Stone” may be the one for you. This touching memorial provides a beautiful way to honor your dog after they crossed over the rainbow bridge. This stone is made from resin cast stone. You can find this stone at Personal Creations
Key Features:
- Made of resin cast stone
- Measures 9.5”Lx11.5”Wx.5”D
- Personalize with up to 12 characters and memorial date(s)
Memorial Stones for Cats
If you are looking for a cat specific stone, these next stones are geared towards cats.
Personalized Cat Memorial Stone
Our first option is from POEM Studio. POEM, which stands for “People of Earth Matter”, is a Native American owned design studio in North Dakota. Through POEM, artisans acquire the means to make a living from their work and customers get beautiful handcrafted items. One of the items the POEM Studio offers is this personalized cat memorial stone. The stone is made from a solid black granite plate and carefully laser engraved with the name, birth year and year of passing of your cat along with a heartfelt expression. You can find this stone in handmade section of Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Measures 12”x 6”
- Made from black granite
- Personalized with cat’s name and dates
- Made in the USA
- For use inside or out
Long Hair Cat Silhouette Memorial Stone
Looking for a cat memorial stone that represents your fluffy kitty? The Stocking Factory has what you need with their personalized fluffy cat silhouette memorial stone. Made from Absolute Black Granite this 6”x6” square memorial stone is personalized with your cat’s name, birth year and passing year.
It is available on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Material: Granite Stone
- Measures 6×6
- Thickness: 3/8″
- Weight almost 2 pounds
- Made in the USA
Pet Memorial Plaque For Outside
Memorial Brass Plaque
Our next pick is this beautiful, handmade brass plaque from The Metal Foundry. The personalized brass plaque has room for their name, birth and passing dates and a short message. Can be wall mounted or attached to the included garden stake. Plaque and fixings are fully lacquered for maximum protection outside and inside. You can find this plaque on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Measures 7”x 5”
- Made from solid brass
- Personalized with name, dates and a short message
- Made in Leicester, England
- For use inside or out
Marble Dog Memorial Stone and Plaque
Our next pick is the personalized dog memorial stone by Broad Bay. Options to personalize this stone include your dog’s breed, name and the birth year & year of passage. The solid marble stone plaque is perfect indoors as a dog memorial or outdoors as a grave marker. You can find this plaque on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Made from solid marble
- For use inside or outside
- Measures 12 inches x 6 inches by 3/8 in thick
- Comes in over 70 dog breeds
- Personalized with name, and dates
- Made in the USA
Pet Memorial Stones That Hold Ashes
Have your pet memorial stone do double duty with these stones that can also hold your pet’s cremation ashes. Memorial stone urns are a great alternative to burying your dog in the yard. Not only does it allow you to place the dog memorial urn in your dog’s favorite spot in the yard without harming the plants. It also allows you to take them with you when you need to move.
Memorial Garden Burial Urn
First on our list of memorial stones that can hold your pet’s ashes is the Ansons Urns, Memorial Garden Burial Urn. Although the stone is shaped like a rock and it made to be outside, it is actually made of cast aluminum. This uniquely shaped urn is hand painted with a black marble design. No one will know it’s an urn unless you tell them. This urn is available on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Made in cast Aluminum
- Hand painted black marble design
- Measures approximately 10″ in height and 10″ in width at its widest point
- Comes in different colors
- Fits approximately 300 cubic inches
- For a medium to large pet
- Protective clear finish
Kay Berry Memorial Stone
Our last memorial stone urn is from Kay Berry. This non-personalized memory stone has a built-in container to store your pups’ ashes creating a lovely space for your dog’s final resting place. It’s made from cast stone and designed to be kept outside. On the front of the memorial are the words; In memory of a faithful friend and companion. It is available on Amazon.com.
Key Features:
- Measures 13.5 x 13.5 x 6.8
- Weight 15.74 pounds
- Made from cast stone
- Made in the USA
- Non-personalized
How to Select the Right Size Cremation Urn?
When choosing a pet urn you want to make sure you get the correct size. A cremation urn size is measured by cubic inches. To approximate the size urn you need, the rule of thumb for a pet is one pound of healthy weight is equal to one cubic inch, plus you need to add an extra 15 cubic inches to the total.
So if you have a dog who when alive was a healthy weight of 50 pounds, you want to choose an urn that is at least 65 cubic inches (50 pounds plus and extra 15).
Tip: Remember this calculation is only an estimate. If the urn you are looking at has a maximum size that is close to your estimated size go with a bigger urn.
Please note the information provided is based on our understanding and descriptions provided by the sellers at the time of writing. Please make sure to read the sellers description carefully in case there were any changes. We are not responsible for mistakes in the text.