Memorial pet portraits: a gift for someone who has lost their pet

A memorial portrait is a picture of their pet as they remember them, made from a photo you already have. It's one of the few gifts after a loss that doesn't need explaining. You send us one clear photo of their face, we make a custom pet portrait from a photo, and you see it before anything is printed. Prints start at $79 and are posted free anywhere in Australia. If the only photo you have isn't great, send it anyway. We'll tell you honestly whether we can do them justice.

Losing a pet is losing a member of the household. Most people around a grieving owner don't know what to say, so they say nothing. A portrait says it for you.

Key takeaways

• One photo where you can see their face is enough. It doesn't need to be recent or perfect.
• The portrait comes to you first, so you can check it before they ever see it.
• You can add their pet's name above the portrait.
• If something isn't quite them, tell us. You get one free round of changes.

Why a portrait helps

Phone galleries fill up with thousands of photos, but very few make it onto a wall. After a pet dies, many people find they can't bring themselves to scroll through those photos for a while. A single portrait gives them one picture to look at, chosen and made with care, that sits in the house where their pet used to be.

Our portraits redraw their pet sitting upright and facing out, on a plain background. We keep what made them them: their eyes, their markings, the set of their ears and their usual expression.

Finding the right photo, quietly

• Look through their social media. Most owners have posted their pet many times. Choose the photo where the face is clearest.
• Ask someone close to them. A partner, parent or housemate can usually send one without saying why.
• Old photos are fine. A printed photo can be copied with a phone in daylight. Our guide to portraits from old or blurry photos explains how.
• Choose the face, not the moment. The photo from their last birthday might mean the most, but if their face is hidden, pick a clearer one. The portrait carries the feeling either way.

Getting the details right

With a memorial portrait, small details matter more than usual. The grey around the muzzle, a torn ear, one eye a different colour. When your portrait arrives, look at it closely. If something isn't right, tell us and we'll fix it. If it still isn't right, you get a full refund as long as it hasn't gone to print.

You can also choose one of four background colours (white, black, pale pink or sage green) and add their name above them.

What to write in the card

Keep it short and use their pet's name. A few that work:

• "For [name], who was the best of company."
• "So [name] can keep an eye on things."
• "We miss [name] too."

Avoid anything that tells them how to feel or how long grief should take.

Which format to choose

Every print includes the digital file, and delivery is free anywhere in Australia. The portrait is usually with you within a few hours, and always within 1 to 2 business days. Once you approve it, the print arrives 5 to 7 business days later.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too soon to give a memorial portrait?

There's no right time. Some people want it within days, others months later. If you're unsure, a card saying the portrait is ready when they are gives them the choice.

Can you include two pets, one who has passed and one still here?

Yes. Send a photo of each and we'll bring them together in one portrait. Two pet prints start at $98.

Can I order a memorial portrait of my own pet?

Of course. Many of our memorial portraits are for the owner themselves.

Sources: Piri & Co product pages and FAQs, prices as at October 2026.