How to Honor Your Fish When It Dies
I’ve had many fish over the years and there are still a few that I fondly remember from time to time. But there will come a time when you find your fishy friend swimming on his back (if you know what I mean).
For many of us, the death of a fish is one of the first pet deaths we experience as children. And it can be hard. Kids don’t fully comprehend death and what it means. Of course, death means something different for all of us, based on beliefs and culture. But that’s a topic for another day.
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What do you do when your fish goes to the giant fishbowl in the sky?
First, make sure he’s really gone. Sometimes when they are sick, or constipated, fish will float upside down, but they aren’t actually dead.
Secondly, do not flush him down the toilet. Unlike on Finding Nemo, all drains do not lead to the ocean, and you could have a chance of clogging the drain. Septic systems aren’t designed to handle decomposing anything but toilet paper and human waste. Adding a dead fish to the mix could cause costly problems down the road.
If kids are involved, now is the time to have an honest, open conversation around death. Use the terms ‘death’ and ‘die’ rather than sleeping or passed away so they get the true meaning of what death is.
Talk to them about your beliefs. And let them know it’s okay to cry and mourn their pet.
Here are some ideas for honoring your swimming buddy.
Decorate a shoebox or other small container for a “casket” for the fish. This is a great activity for kids to get involved in.
Have a funeral or memorial. Play music, read a poem, and say a fond farewell.
Get a stuffed animal clone of your fish.
Light a candle.
Whether our friends are fuzzy, furry, scaly, or feathery, they hold a special place in our hearts and honoring their death is a loving and special way to say goodbye.
