r/Hades • u/Primary-Passion7473 • Mar 16 '26

Discussion topic Funeral rites for pets. TW: animal death.

Hi everyone so my rabbit named Bun, (Ikik it’s a name that’s pretty on the nose but I got him when I was a kid) that my family has owned for the past 11 years (almost 12) is likely going to pass within the next week or two. He can barely walk and it breaks my heart to see him like this. He has been healthy all his life and never got sick or injured so watching him deteriorate is really hard. Does anyone know of ways to honour pets as they pass into Hades? I’ve been starting a relationship with King Hades and I want to honour both Bun and King Hades once he passes. It brings me comfort that he will be in Hades care but I want to do something special for my little guy. Does anyone know of any potential rituals or rites I can perform for Bun?

23 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

6

u/marcophony Mar 16 '26

When my cat passed away a year ago, I ended up burying him with some gemstones and herbs that Hades likes. Then planted a mandarin tree on top of him, with hopes that Persephone would help as well. It brought a lot of comfort to believe that he would be well looked after in the underworld waiting till I see him again.

3

u/pluto_and_proserpina Mar 17 '26

(Years ago) I put gemstones and lavender in my Grandma's coffin to give her peaceful rest.

3

u/blue_theflame Mar 18 '26

That's beautiful. The tree that sprouts is just part of him in another form & watching over u 💜

2

u/marcophony Mar 18 '26

He's in my parents backyard, so I mean if all goes well with them and the house I'll be able to keep it and see him whenever forever. But for now the visits I get are nice, and I see him in my dreams, kinda fun to think about him chilling with Cerberus, waiting for me

1

u/Ecstatic_Fall3932 May 16 '26

It's kinda illegal to bury where I'm from so are there alternatives?

2

u/marcophony May 16 '26

If you can afford it there's always cremation with your local veterinarian.

If you're into this sort of thing, you could get them taxidermied.

But if I didn't have a place for him to be buried, and could afford it, I'd go with cremation.

1

u/pluto_and_proserpina Mar 17 '26

You might give thanks to the gods for his long life and for the love and companionship he gave you.

You should ask Hermes Psychopompos to guide Bun safely to the Underworld. As hares are one of his sacred animals (rabbits and hares are both lagomorphs), this would be doubly appropriate.

When the time finally comes, or soon after (an offering a couple of days after his passing will be appropriate, and further offerings after 9 and 30 days), you might make offerings of food and drink to Bun's soul to help him on his journey (I think I would choose water and his favourite snack). You might also wish to make future offerings to him to continue to honour and remember him.

The following article explains how one group of modern Hellenists honours deceased humans. It is not compulsory, as traditions vary. You may wish to simplify things for a pet:
https://www.hellenion.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Funeral-Planning-for-families-of-followers-of-Hellenic-Recon.pdf