Losing a pet is losing a member of the family. In the weeks and months afterwards, many people look for a way to keep that personality close – not a sad reminder, but something that makes them smile. A memorial portrait can be exactly that: your pet, as you remember them at their proudest.
Why a royal portrait works as a memorial
A formal portrait has always been a way of honouring someone. Putting your pet in a regal costume celebrates how important they were – the queen of the household, the loyal guardian, the gentle old soul. Many owners tell us the portrait becomes a happy focal point for memories and stories.
Working with older photos
For a memorial portrait you can’t take a new photo, so it’s about choosing the best one you have:
- Pick the sharpest photo where your pet’s face is clearly visible, ideally at eye level and in good light.
- Use the original file from your phone or camera, not a screenshot or a photo of a printed picture.
- If you have several photos, upload more than one – they help our designers get colouring and markings right.
- In the order notes, tell us anything special: the eye colour, a white patch on the chest, how the ears usually sat.
We check every photo before we start, and we’ll be honest with you if one won’t give a good result. Our photo guide shows what we look for.
Choosing the costume
Think about the character you remember most. A dignified uniform suits a loyal companion; a crown and gown suits a pet who ruled the house. You can browse queens and duchesses or kings and generals, and if you’d like the portrait to include more than one pet – or yourself – see multiple pets and human-and-pet portraits. You can also ask us to add a name or a short line of text, like “Forever our King Max”, in the order notes.
A gift for someone who is grieving
A memorial portrait can be a deeply touching gift for a friend or family member who has lost a pet. If you’d like to keep it a surprise, ask someone close to them for a favourite photo. A canvas is the most popular choice for a memorial, as it can hang somewhere special.
We’ll take care with it
Your portrait is designed in 1–3 business days, and you’ll see a proof by email before anything is printed. Revisions are unlimited – take all the time you need to make sure it feels right. If you have any questions before ordering, we’re happy to help.