Prayers Honoring Companion Animals in Times of Loss

Memorial Prayers Honouring the Life of Companion Animal

Blessed be the one, holy, and living God. Glory to God for ever and ever. All-merciful and compassionate God, Lord of all that lives, we come together in the midst of grief asking for the strength to bear the loss of N, our companion(s) (or, a companion to our friend(s) _______). We offer you thanks for the gift of companion animals, for the ways in which they make us more caring and loving people, and the glimpse they offer of your peaceable kingdom, reminding us that you love all that you have made. And we bring you our prayers for peace of heart in the knowledge of your mercy and love, in Christ Jesus. Amen. Framework Liturgy for the Loss of a Pet By Fr. Jody Howard 2

Merciful God, have mercy on ourselves: deliver us from our narrowness of vision and the limitations of our lives; Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. As we remember the lives of other creatures who have died, enlarge within us a sense of your mercies over all your works: Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy. Rekindle within us a new spirit of unity so that we who have walked in the ways of violence may become agents of your peace. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Based on Animal rites by Andrew Linzey Page 127 3

O Lord our God, we come before You this day in sadness. (Pet s name), who brought us so much joy in life, has now died. (His/Her) happy times in our embrace have come to an end. We miss (pet s name) already. Help us, O God, to remember the good times with (pet s name). Remind us to rejoice in the happy times (he/she) brought to our lives. Let us be thankful for the good life we were blessed to give to (him/her). We are grateful to You, God, for creating (pet s name), for entrusting (him/her) to our care, and for sustaining (him/her) in our love for a measure of time. We understand that all that lives must die. We knew that this day would come. And yet, O God, we would have liked one more day of play, one more evening of love with (pet s name). 4

O God, as we have taken care of (pets name) in life, we ask that You watch over (him/her) in death. You entrusted (pet s name) to our care; now, we give (him/her) back to You. May (pet s name) find a happy new home in Your loving embrace. As we remember (pet s name), may we love each other more dearly. May we care for all Your creatures, for every living thing, as we protected the blessed life of (pet s name). May (his/her) memory bless our lives with love and caring forever. Amen. Rabbi Barry H. Block 5

Almighty God, your Son taught us that though five sparrows could be bought for two pennies, they are not forgotten before you. We thank you for N., and for the companionship N. offered to N.. And we thank you for all the animals who share our homes and our lives. We ask for comfort for us in our loss, knowing that you grieve with us for you care for all of your creation, as you care for us. May we live more peacefully because of today, and come at last, in the fellowship of all your people, to the haven where we long to be; Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. King of Peace Episcopal Church Georgia 6

O God, we thank you that through the life of N., you have enlarged within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers and sisters, to whom you gave the earth as their home in common with us. We pray that we may carry the memory of N. in our hearts for all our days and that the companionship and affection we shared may be a balm to grief and an inspiration to more faithful living and care of your creation and creatures. In the name of your son Jesus Christ, Amen. Framework Liturgy for the Loss of a Pet By Fr. Jody Howard 7

Let us join together in the prayer which Jesus gave us saying: All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Tributes

Songs A Song of Creation Benedicite, omnia opera Domini Song of the Three, 35 65 Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. Let the earth glorify the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, * sing praise and give honor for ever. Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, * O whales and all that move in the waters. All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, * and all you flocks and herds. O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; * sing praise and give honor for ever. In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, * sing praise and give honor for ever. https://youtu.be/px6wnqNf4FA https://youtu.be/RFdZ2axtaUU

Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging with all your creatures, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 11