Pets are family, and when one of them passes, it can leave a hole in the heart that persists for a lifetime. The American Veterinary Medical Association created World Pet Memorial Day to give bereaved pet owners the opportunity to mend some of the hurt by joining together with others who have lost and honor, remember and celebrate the lives of the beloved pets who have passed on.

Here are six ways you can honor your pet with pet memorials and more this World Pet Memorial Day, June 9.

1. Plant a Tree

For many pets, there is nothing more precious than the time they get to spend playing outside in the open air and sunshine. If this was true of your pet who passed away, consider planting a tree in a special spot in honor of them. The new life growing will remind you for years to come of the time you spent outdoors playing together.

2. Donate to a Pet Shelter in Their Name

Grieving can be especially difficult because you have so much love in your heart remaining for your pet but nowhere to direct that love except the memory of them. Share that love by donating food, supplies or money to a local animal shelter in the name of your lost pet. This way, the love that you bear for your passed pet can be given to other animals who are in need.

3. Share a Social Media Post

Gather your favorites pictures of your pet and write a special post memorializing your beloved fur baby. Write about how your pet came into your life, their favorite pastimes or toys, and any memorable moments that bring you joy to think about. Invite friends and family to share any memories they have of your pet and enjoy the fellowship of remembering the happy times together with those you love.

4. Create a Memorial Stone

Create a special stone for your pet using a craft kit or your own materials to place in your backyard or garden. You can make a cement stone and press your pet’s name or special pawprints and shape paw prints into the stone. You can also paint a stone or series of steppingstones if you would prefer.

5. Volunteer in Their Memory

Inquire at local animal shelters and rescues to see if they are in need of volunteers. Give some of the time, energy and love that you would have shared with your beloved pet to the animals still in need. Taking positive action will help with your grief while allowing you to spend time making more furry friends.

6. Make a Memory Book

Collect pictures of your pet and stories of their life and put them into a special memory book. This way, every year, you can bring it out on special days like their birthday and World Pet Memorial Day and reflect on all of the precious time that you spent together.

The loss of a pet is always difficult, but spending time celebrating them can help ease that pain. After some time, you may feel ready to introduce a new four-legged friend into the family, and you can consult Pet Hospitals of Hawaii for more information on how to choose the right pet for your home.