On Sunday, September 11th at 11 a.m., the fifth annual Pet Memorial Sunday Ceremony will be held at the Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park in observance of National Pet Memorial Day. It is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved pet.
When a pet dies it can be just as difficult, and sometimes more difficult, than when a family member dies. To many pet owners, their pet is a family member. It’s also not that unusual for someone’s dog or cat to be the closest family member of all.
But the life of a pet rarely gets acknowledged or remembered with a memorial service, making the grieving process that much more difficult for their owners. That’s why Baltimore Humane Society is holding its annual pet memorial service for the public on Pet Memorial Sunday, the 2nd Sunday in September.
With flutes playing under a canopy of trees, speakers address grief and guilt at the entrance to Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park. There is even a flower ceremony with names of the attendees’ pets called out while owners place a flower in their memory.
Matt Wilson, Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park Director, will lead the ceremony and speak on “Lessons Learned: How our pets continue to help us and others.” “Grief Response to Pet Loss” will be addressed by Carol Williamson Jenkins, Bereavement Counselor from Stella Maris. Dr. Ayrika White-Mfoudi, Veterinarian from Peaceful Passage, a mobile vet that performs at-home euthanasia, will speak on “Guilt and Euthanasia.” And Jennifer Gerber, a member of the Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park free pet bereavement group, will recant “Gracie’s Story.” Members of the Dulaney High Flute Ensemble will play during the flower ceremony.
All members of the public are invited to attend the free ceremony on Sunday, September 11th at 11 a.m. You doNOT need to have a pet buried at the Memorial Park or adopted from Baltimore Humane Society to attend. Pet Memorial Sunday ceremony is for anyone who may have experienced the loss of a beloved pet, no matter when the loss occurred. Friends and family are also welcome.
Anyone attending is asked to bring a photo of their pet to put on display during the ceremony and a flower to place in their honor. They are also being asked to RSVP with the name or names of pets they’d like read aloud at the ceremony. RSVP to 410-833-8848 ext. 219 or mwilson@bmorehumane.org/
