By Sophie, co-founder of Beast + Bonbon. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: A pet memorial pillow is a soft pillow with your pet's portrait, made to be held rather than only looked at. It suits a bed, a favorite chair or a lap on hard evenings. Our woven portrait pillow is 17" x 18", double-sided and $79. Choose a pillow to hold close, or a blanket to wrap up in.
This guide is for anyone who has lost a dog or cat and misses the weight of them nearby, and for friends and family looking for a gift that feels gentle. It covers why holding something helps, how a pillow compares with a blanket or a plush, and how to choose a design that feels calm.
Why does holding something help after a pet dies?
Holding something helps because so much of life with a pet was touch. A head on your knee, a cat against your side at night, a dog leaning on your legs while you cook. When they are gone, your hands still reach for them.
That kind of loss is real grief. A PLOS One study published in January 2026 surveyed 975 UK adults. Of those who had lost a pet, 21% said it was the most distressing bereavement of their life. Harvard Health has a clear summary of what the study found.
Many people keep something they can hold: the pet's own blanket, a collar, a favorite toy. A memorial pillow adds one more thing: a soft object that looks like them. It is there to hug on the sofa, to prop beside you in bed, or to rest your hand on during a hard evening.
Pet memorial pillow vs blanket vs plush: which is right?
A pillow is best for holding, a blanket is best for wrapping up in, and a plush is best for someone who wants something shaped like the pet. Here is how they compare.
| Woven portrait pillow | Woven portrait blanket | Plush replica | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 17" x 18" | Small 52" x 37", Medium 60" x 50", Large 80" x 60" | Varies, often close to the pet's size |
| Material | Woven portrait, double-sided | Woven from 100% cotton yarn in the USA | Usually faux fur or plush fabric |
| Where it lives | Bed, armchair, sofa corner, a child's room | Over the sofa, at the foot of the bed, on a wall | On a bed or shelf |
| Best for | Hugging, holding at night, small spaces | Curling up under, the pet's old spot, up to 3 pets | Someone who wants the pet's shape, often children |
| Price | $79 | $105 to $165 | Varies by maker |
Some families choose both: a blanket for the sofa where the dog used to lie, and a pillow for the bed. If the budget allows one, think about where your hands miss them most. For more ideas beyond pillows and blankets, see our pet memorial gifts guide.
What should a memorial pillow look like?
A memorial pillow should look like your pet on a good day. Start with a photo where they look most like themselves, then pick a style that matches their spirit and your room.
- Portrait: a calm, classic likeness. A good choice when you want it to feel quiet and timeless.
- Floral: the portrait framed by soft flowers. Gentle on a bed or in a bedroom.
- Sailor, Biker or Parisian: playful outfits for the pet who was a real character. Some people find a smile helps more than something solemn.
Pick colors that already live in the room, so the pillow blends in on a bed or chair. You can ask for changes on the free design proof before anything is woven.
Is a memorial pillow a good gift for someone who lost a pet?
Yes, for most people a memorial pillow is a warm and easy gift. It is small, useful, and asks nothing of the person receiving it. It can sit on a bed or chair, or go in a closet until they are ready.
A few ways to give it gently:
- Add a short handwritten note that uses the pet's name and one small memory.
- There is no right time. A week after the loss or a few months later both work. Anniversaries and first holidays are thoughtful moments too.
- Give it quietly. In person with a hug, or by mail with a card. Let them open it when and how they want.
- Do not expect a reaction. Tears are common and not a sign you got it wrong.
If you are weighing a bigger gift, our post on whether a pet portrait blanket is a good sympathy gift may help you decide.
How our custom pet pillow works
- Our designers create your pet's portrait from your photo and check every detail by hand, then it is woven into the pillow.
- Woven, not printed: the picture is made of the yarn, so there is no printed layer to fade, crack or peel.
- Double-sided, 17" x 18", $79. Styles: Portrait, Sailor, Floral, Biker and Parisian.
- A free design proof arrives by email within 24 hours. Nothing is woven until you approve it.
- Delivery takes 8 to 12 days after you approve the proof.
See the custom pet throw pillow.
Questions people ask
Can I get a custom pillow of my dog who passed away?
Yes. Send a photo of your dog, and our designers create the portrait and check every detail by hand. You get a free design proof by email within 24 hours, and nothing is woven until you approve it. The woven pillow is 17" x 18" and $79.
Is a pet memorial pillow a good gift?
For most people, yes. It is soft, small and easy to keep on a bed or chair, and it gives them something to hold. Add a handwritten note with the pet's name. It suits friends, family and coworkers, and works weeks or months after the loss.
Should I choose a memorial pillow or a blanket?
Choose a pillow if you want something to hug or keep on the bed. Choose a blanket if you want to curl up under it on the sofa, cover the pet's old spot, or include up to 3 pets. Some families get both for different rooms.
What are unique pet memorial gifts that are not urns or jewelry?
Try a woven portrait pillow or blanket, a framed illustration, a printed photo book, a plant or tree planted in the pet's name, a donation to a shelter, or a memory box for the collar and tags. Choose something the person can hold or use at home.
Can you make a memorial pillow from an old or blurry photo?
Usually, yes. Our designers can improve lighting and recreate missing details. If you have several photos, email them to hello@beastbonbon.com so we can see markings from different angles. You will see the free proof before anything is woven.