The first time you notice the empty spot is rarely the moment you expect. It might be the kitchen mat that stays clean, the leash hook that never moves, or the familiar sound that simply doesn’t happen. And then, later—sometimes days, sometimes weeks—you find yourself holding a small bag or temporary container from the crematory and realizing the hardest part isn’t the “decision” you already made. It’s the next question: what to do with ashes in a way that feels like love, not like logistics.
If you’re reading this because you want a pet portrait, you’re not alone—and you’re not off-topic. For many families, art becomes the bridge between memory and daily life. A portrait can hold the expression you miss, the tilt of the head, the stubborn sweetness. And it can live alongside other choices—pet urns, pet urns for ashes, pet cremation urns, keepsake urns, and even cremation jewelry—without competing with them. It all works best when you treat it as one gentle plan: a memorial that fits your home, your budget, and how you actually grieve.
Cremation itself has become a common part of that planning. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was 60.5% in 2023 and was projected to rise to 81.4% by 2045. When cremation becomes more familiar, families naturally ask more nuanced questions—not just “urn or scatter,” but “How do we honor them in a way we can live with, every day?”
A portrait is a memorial, not “extra”
A portrait is often the first memorial decision that doesn’t feel like paperwork. It’s also one of the few choices that can soften everything else: the urn becomes less intimidating when it’s part of a warm corner with a framed image; a necklace feels less like a secret when it matches a visible tribute; and even a scattering plan can feel steadier when you know their face will remain in the home.
This is why it helps to decide what role you want the portrait to play before you hire an artist. Is it the centerpiece above a shelf where you’re keeping ashes at home? Is it a smaller piece meant to sit beside small cremation urns or keepsake urns that you’ll share with family members? Or is it intended as a gift for someone who needs something tangible but doesn’t want to hold ashes themselves?
If you’re also choosing an urn, it can be grounding to browse options while you’re thinking about the portrait’s “home.” A full-sized memorial may pair naturally with classic cremation urns for ashes (especially if the memorial space is in a living room or study), while a smaller, more private corner may feel better with small cremation urns or keepsake urns that don’t dominate the room. You can explore Funeral.com’s collections of cremation urns and size-specific options like cremation urns for ashes and small cremation urns.
For pet families specifically, starting with pet urns for ashes can make the entire process feel less overwhelming, because the designs often reflect the kind of warmth you want in your home. Here are Funeral.com’s pet cremation urns and, if you’re drawn to an artistic tribute, pet figurine cremation urns.
Choosing an artist starts with style, not popularity
When people say “check the portfolio,” they usually mean “make sure they’re good.” But in grief, “good” is not the same as “right.” The artist you want is the one whose style matches the way you want to feel when you see the portrait.
Some families want realism because they miss the exactness—the specific marking, the look in the eyes. Others want an impressionistic style because it feels softer, more forgiving, more like memory. Some want something playful and bright because that’s who their pet was. Your goal is not to find the most celebrated artist on the internet. It’s to find the one whose work consistently makes you think, Yes. That’s them.
As you look through portfolios, pay attention to consistency (so you can trust you’ll get what you expect), emotional presence (especially in the eyes), and technical comfort with fur patterns and lighting—because black fur, white fur, long coats, and distinct markings can challenge even experienced artists.
This is also where medium matters. Charcoal and graphite can capture tenderness with fewer “details.” Oils and acrylics can bring depth and warmth. Watercolor can be beautifully gentle but may feel less literal. Digital art can be flexible, fast, and easier to revise—and it can still be printed at museum quality if you choose a good printer and paper.
Budget and timeline: the part grief doesn’t make easier
It can feel jarring to talk money when you’re choosing something heartfelt. But being honest about budget is one way of protecting yourself from regret later—especially if you’re already managing funeral expenses or unexpected veterinary bills.
For human loss, the National Funeral Directors Association reports national median costs that many families use as a reference point when comparing options and building a plan. The same idea applies to pet memorials: if you have a budget range, share it. Many artists can suggest an option that stays true to their style while adjusting size, complexity, or background detail.
Timeline matters, too. If you’re hoping to have the portrait for a memorial gathering, say so upfront. Some artists have long waitlists; others can deliver quickly for an additional rush fee. Neither is wrong—it’s just part of planning, and it’s better to know early than to feel disappointed later.
If you’re also deciding on the urn side of things, Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn by real-life scenario is a calm place to start.
What reference photos to provide (and why “cute” isn’t always best)
Most portrait disappointments don’t happen because the artist “isn’t talented.” They happen because the reference photo wasn’t built for the job.
Cute photos—tongue out, mid-zoomies, blurry joy—are perfect for your camera roll, but not always for a portrait. Try to include at least one image where the eyes are sharp and well-lit, the fur pattern is clear in natural light, the head and muzzle shape are easy to read, and any defining markings are unmistakable. If you can, send a small set that shows different angles, then explain what must stay true: “Please keep the white spot above his nose,” or “Her ears were always slightly uneven.”
This is also the moment to communicate emotional intent. A portrait meant for a child’s bedroom might feel warmer and brighter than a portrait meant to sit beside pet urns for ashes in a quiet memorial nook. Neither is better. They’re different needs.
If you want help with the urn side—especially sizing and the kinds of memorials families choose for dogs and cats—this guide pairs well with the portrait process: pet urns for ashes: a complete guide for dog and cat owners.
When ashes are part of the memorial: urns, keepsakes, and jewelry
Many families assume they must choose one way to memorialize: either an urn, or scattering, or jewelry, or art. In practice, the most comforting plans often combine them in small, sensible ways.
If you’re keeping ashes at home, you may want a primary urn that feels like it belongs in your space—something you won’t feel you need to hide when someone comes over. Funeral.com’s guide to keeping ashes at home walks through practical, respectful considerations.
If your family wants to share ashes, that’s where keepsake urns and small cremation urns become less of a “product category” and more of a peace-making tool. One central memorial, plus smaller portions for the people who need closeness in their own homes, can make room for different grief styles. Funeral.com’s guide on keepsake urns and sharing is a helpful companion, and the collection itself is here: keepsake cremation urns for ashes.
And if someone wants a daily, wearable connection, cremation jewelry can do what a shelf memorial can’t—it travels with you. That might mean classic cremation necklaces, the broader cremation jewelry collection, or pet-specific designs like pet cremation jewelry. If you’re new to the idea, Funeral.com’s guide is worth reading before you buy: cremation jewelry 101.
Sometimes families also ask about a more nature-based farewell—especially if water was meaningful. If water burial is part of your plan, this guide explains the steps clearly: understanding what happens during a water burial ceremony.
How commissioning works, step by step, without making it clinical
Most artists follow a similar process: inquiry, agreement on size/medium/price, reference photos, an initial sketch or layout, then the final piece. What makes it feel manageable is knowing what you can control.
You can control how you want them represented—age, expression, posture. (Some families want the “healthy version” of their pet, not the last months.) You can control the setting: a blank background, a favorite blanket, a hint of outdoors, a simple halo of light. You can also control the revision plan by asking early how many rounds of changes are included, and at what stage.
If it helps to make expectations clear without overwhelming the artist, you can simply ask: How many revisions are included and when do they happen? What timeline should you expect from deposit to delivery? Do you need print-ready digital files, a physical original, or both? And if the piece is shipped, what’s the plan if the package is damaged in transit?
The point isn’t to interrogate the artist. It’s to give your grief fewer places to get surprised.
Display and gifting: making room for the portrait in real life
Once the portrait arrives, the most common feeling is relief—followed by the quiet question of where it should live.
If the portrait is meant to sit with ashes, think in “layers.” A framed portrait behind, an urn or keepsake in front, and a small object that is unmistakably theirs—a collar tag, a paw print impression, a favorite toy—can turn a surface into a place. If the memorial includes shared pieces for multiple family members, a coordinated set can feel especially tender when gathered together, like these pet keepsake cremation urns for ashes.
If the portrait is a gift, consider the recipient’s relationship to ashes. Not everyone wants to handle remains, and that’s okay. A portrait can be a complete memorial on its own—especially for friends, adult children in another state, or anyone who loved the pet deeply but doesn’t want a physical portion. In those cases, you’re not “leaving them out.” You’re giving them a way to remember without asking them to carry something heavy.
And if your family is in disagreement about what to do with ashes, it can help to remember that compromise isn’t always about splitting the remains—it’s sometimes about splitting the ways of remembering. This guide is useful when emotions and opinions collide: when family disagrees about what to do with ashes.
Bringing it all back to one calm plan
Grief tends to make every decision feel permanent. But memorials can evolve. Many families begin with a temporary container, then choose pet cremation urns when they’re ready, then later commission a portrait when their heart wants something visible again. Others do it in the opposite order—art first, ashes decisions later—especially when they’re not sure about keeping ashes at home versus scattering.
For a broader picture of cremation trends, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) publishes annual statistical information, including national cremation rates and projections. In other words: there is no “weird” way to navigate this. Millions of families are figuring it out, one small choice at a time.
If you’d like a practical, budget-oriented lens on the bigger picture—including the question families Google in the middle of the night, how much does cremation cost—these Funeral.com guides can help you feel less alone in the math: how much does cremation cost? and average funeral and cremation costs today.
What you’re really doing—whether you commission art, choose cremation urns, order cremation necklaces, or select pet urns for ashes—is building a place for love to land. And that’s allowed to take time.
