How to Make Your Own Concrete Pet Memorial

Make a concrete memorial to honor a beloved pet.

A beloved pet can be memorialized with a handmade headstone. The headstone, made from materials found at a building supply store, can mark the site of the actual burial spot or just serve as a lovely reminder of a cherished pet. Making the headstone is not a complicated task; the headstone can include the pet's name and description. By including children in the headstone-making process, the activity may help to ease the pain of loss and assist in the grieving process.

Things You'll Need

• 10 pounds quick-set cement
• Plastic pail
• Water
• Trowel
• Cardboard shoebox
• Pencil
• Rag
• Smooth stones

Instructions

1. Mix the cement with water in a plastic pail until the mixture is the consistency of pudding.

2. Trowel the wet cement into a shoebox.

3. Insert the pencil in the wet cement to write the name of the pet and an epitaph. For example, you could write, "Rover, a Fine and Faithful Companion."

4. Create a decorative mosaic around the edges of the cement memorial with the smooth stones.

5. Let the cement harden for two days. Tear away the shoebox.

References

• "The Big Messy Art Book"; MaryAnn F. Kohl; 2000
• "Stained Glass in the Garden"; Vicki Payne; 2007