pet loss gifts Archives - Custom Pet Memorial Votives

October 23, 2026

A Quick Outline of Ordering a Votive

I make each Custom Pet Memorial Votive by hand with love and sympathy on the loss of a precious companion.

custom pet memorial votive of tabby cat — Paddy O’Mally

And they also make unique customized gifts even when they aren’t in sympathy for a loss.

Here is a quick outline of ordering a votive, made and shipped, and customizations possible for your practice or business.

You can upload a photo or photos when you order your votive or email them soon after.

I prepare that photo to fit the 3″ cube-shaped glass vase, print the design onto a waterproof frosted vinyl label, then wrap it around the vase and burnish it onto the surface.

Standard with each votive

I use my skills as an artist in traditional media and on computer to remove backgrounds, touch up lighting and composition, and add a background color or pattern that complements the subject.

The votive can be used with a wax candle but I provide an LED tea light with each votive to help keep curious noses and waving tails safe.

Your choice of a sympathy card is also included. If I am to ship directly to the recipient you can give me a note which I will write inside the card.

The price includes shipping, whether to your practice or drop-shipped to a customer, within the continental US. I have rates for international shipping.

I include a care and use card with each votive. This card, and a label on the bottom of the votive, have a link to this website.

Little extras

Adding an extra subject on the front or on the sides, adding a special background pattern like a favorite blanket or chair are extra, or text or a logo are extra, but usually add an extra $10 per addition.

Votives are kept in confidence

I photograph each votive I make for my records and to keep the details of what it looked like for my reference. I never use a votive in any public venue, whether for display or self-promotion, without permission of both the giver and the recipient.

The page Votive Details and Ordering will answer your questions about choosing an image and ordering:

My goal with each Custom Pet Memorial Votive
They began as personal gifts to friends
Creating the image
Tips on choosing a photo
Gallery of samples made for retail and wholesale customers
Including a decorative or patterned background
Customizations for your practice
The use and care insert
Packaging
Shipping
My background as an artist and business owner

You can also read about Other Memorial Gifts, Animal Sympathy Cards and Commissioned Pet Portraits.

All images and text © 2022-2025 Bernadette E. Kazmarski • www.custompetmemorialvotives.com

All images and content are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced in any way without my written permission. Please contact me if you are interested in using any of my content.

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order a VOTIVE ♥ QUICK INTRODUCTION TO VOTIVES ♥ OTHER MEMORIAL GIFTS ♥ ANIMAL SYMPATHY CARDS ♥ PET PORTRAITS ♥ TESTIMONIALS ♥ ABOUT BERNADETTE ♥ CONTACT ♥ NEWS ♥ NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

July 7, 2026

A Special Note from Rosie’s Person

Here’s a votive I created for a customer and shipped it directly to Rosie’s family with a note from the sender in the card you see below. Below that is the recipient’s response.

Rosie's votive with the complimentary sympathy card at her person's home. — Rosie’s votive with the complimentary sympathy card at her person’s home.

Both the sender and recipient permitted me to use the photo and comment between the two sisters.

Rosie's Votive with candle. — Rosie’s Votive with candle.

When I designed my first custom votive for a friend using a portrait I’d painted for her, I actually cried when I lit the candle and look at the kitty’s face. Now I do that with every one I make. I consider the creation of a remembrance item an honor.

The sample votive you see here was ordered by one friend to give to another, and both parties gave me permission to share the images. I never use any image of a custom item without permission.

For more information on votives, visit A Quick Introduction then follow the links to read about choosing a photo and ordering.

All images and content are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced in any way without my written permission. Please contact me if you are interested in using any of my content.

HOME

order a VOTIVE ♥ QUICK INTRODUCTION TO VOTIVES ♥ OTHER MEMORIAL GIFTS ♥ ANIMAL SYMPATHY CARDS ♥ PET PORTRAITS ♥ TESTIMONIALS ♥ ABOUT BERNADETTE ♥ CONTACT ♥ NEWS ♥ NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

August 7, 2025

A Custom Background for Pearl’s Votive

Working with your supplied photo or artwork, I use my decades of pet portraiture on paper and canvas and my Photoshop skills to prepare the image to fit the votive. I remove background distractions and correct distortions if necessary, and add a color or gentle pattern that suits your pet, pulling ideas from the supplied photos.

Sometimes a custom background is part of the design, either the background in the provided photo, another scenic background, or a pattern. Pearl loved sleeping on the patterned porch chair and it was in the photo I used, enough of it to be able to trim sections out of the provided photo and blend the sections together in a continuous pattern. I placed Pearl on top of the pattern with the section of it that was under her face included with her. Below are views of each side and the back.

And here is what the votive looks like when the candle is lit.

Pearl's votive lighted front. — Pearl’s votive lighted front.

Pearl's votive lighted back. — Pearl’s votive lighted back.

Customizations cost $10.00 extra for a specific background, another subject, or text, like a name and dates, or a tribute incorporated into the design. You’ll find these listed as “Extra Services” in the drop-downs when you order, but you can check with me before you order if you have questions.

The sample votive you see here was ordered by one friend to give to another, and both parties gave me permission to share the images. I never use any image of a custom item without permission.