A Litany for a Beloved Non-human Family Member

 

On November 19, 2024, my family lost our much-beloved four-pawed family member of a far-too-few 12 years, Romeo, a Corgi, to cancer. Although I wrote this litany for him, it can be used for your loved ones of any non-human species. If you don’t feel comfortable with the modified KaddishThe Aramaic memorial prayer for the dead. Mourners recite this prayer at every service, every day, in the presence of a minyan (prayer quorum) over the course of a year (for a parent) or thirty days (for a sibling or offspring). The prayer actually makes no mention of the dead, but rather prays for the sanctification and magnification of God's name., respectfully exclude it from your own usage and put aside judgment of the appropriateness of its use by other Jewish individuals and families. The litany is intended for use in the home, by the gravesite, or in the veterinarian’s office—not the shulSynagogue (Yiddish), synagogue, or temple. It is intended for use in the moments surrounding the passing of a beloved animal family member—our animals are increasingly respected and mourned as distinct personalities in our shared family lives who contribute as such. Please be mindful that, as there is as of yet no structured liturgy for honoring the life of a beloved pet in any mainstream movement of Judaism, we are left to create our own for better or worse. May your beloved non-human kin’s passing into the Meadow be peaceful and instant, and may our passed non-human family members—dressed in health and joy—greet each of us upon our arrival there!

 

 

 

G-d, [animal’s name]’s time here on Earth is coming to an end, and we’d like to ask that you be waiting for him/her as s/he takes his/her first breath in the Meadow and last breath here. Please welcome [animal’s name], pet him/her (if s/he’ll let you!), and take away his/her pain and upset tummy, as well as the cruel cancer (or other illness) that has taken his/her joy of living away; that [animal’s name] may only know peace as You draw his/her last breath back to its Source.

 

G-d, please scoop [animal’s name] into Your arms as you did before sending his/her soul to Earth to guide, love, and play with us during his/her Earthly years as a [your family’s surname], and make him/her feel loved and joyously welcome in the Meadow. We know we cannot follow him/her there today, and we ask that You wait with [animal’s name] for us—that we may cross the Rainbow Bridge as a family once more when You call Home, too. May it be Your will. Amen.

 

Ma’ayan ḥayeinu (Wellspring of Life), exalted and full of compassion, grant perfect peace in Your sheltering Presence, among the holy and the pure to the spirit of [animal’s name], who has gone to his/her eternal home. Eternal One, we ask you to remember the worthy contributions s/he made in the time You allotted her/him. May his/her spirit be bound up in the bonds of life. HaMakom (The Place) is his/her portion; may s/he rest in peace. And let us say: Amen.

 

In grief and tenderness, we remember [animal’s name], our much-loved [pet’s species], a member of our family as much as any of us, who provided over 12 years of companionship, kinship, laughter, and love to each of us. [Animal’s name], you were more than a pet to us: becoming a member of our family, offering solace in times of stress and loss, providing us with laughter, delight, and well-being; rich with memories; made wealthy by our devotion to giving you a life well lived.

 

None of us will ever be the same without you—indeed, this shell of a house won’t. Our pain is deep—your suffering and death were bitterly unfair. The empty space in our home and hearts is too expansive to grasp.

 

Forgive us, [animal’s name], for our choice to release you from the suffering you’ve endured—we’re heartbroken. We did it with sorrow, placing compassion for you above our yearning for more time together. We saw how tired you were; your body turned on you this year. We’re heartbroken by how scary it must’ve been. We’re sorry we haven’t had the means to talk with you about it. We hope we can in the Meadow some bright morning.

 

Zokeif K’fufim (Straighener of the Bent-over), soothe our minds and bodies in the hours, days, weeks, and years ahead, and peace of mind as time passes without [animal’s name] here. Let our memories of our time together with [animal’s name] be an everlasting spring of joy in tribute to his/her life. Amen.

 

[Animal’s name], may you find life, health, kinship, peace, and lots of squeaky balls as you await our own arrivals to the Meadow! Please wait up for us! We’re really looking forward to seeing you, Little Guy!