When a pet dies, it can be hugely distressing to you and other members of your family, especially children. That’s why Direct Line automatically includes access to a special Pet Bereavement Counselling Helpline for our Pet Insurance customers.

At Direct Line, we know that coping with the death of a much-loved pet can be difficult. So we try to help in as many ways as we can.

Sharing your grief with someone

To help our customers deal with these tough and confusing times, our Pet Insurance includes access to a Pet Bereavement Helpline on 0870 600 0633. So, if your cat or dog dies, you always have someone on hand to talk to.

Since the service began, we have helped hundreds of pet owners talk through their loss. These callers need a great deal of understanding and compassion shown to them, and often call back on more than one occasion, even many weeks after their loss. It’s good to know that, if you are in a similar situation, the same service will be afforded to you.

Hopefully, we can help with the grief you feel and may also be able to offer some practical advice, such as how to organise a pet funeral so you have a dedicated day to remember and say goodbye to your pet.

Organising a memorial

It might sound silly to have a funeral for a cat or dog, but the concept has become increasingly popular in recent years. According to a recent Direct Line survey on pet funerals, 82% of the dog owners who held a funeral said a proper service to mark their passing is the least they deserve after a lifetime of devotion. In addition, 74% of those dog owners who held funerals for their pet said that the service for their four-legged friends was just as important as a family funeral – a measure of the devotion some pet-owners feel. The survey also revealed that one in five British dog owners who have buried their dog make time to visit its grave on a daily basis, with 29 per cent paying weekly homage. By creating an official resting place for their pet, it seems some pet-owners are finding it easier to deal with their grief and move on.

You could also organise an online memorial page, where you can write about your pet, share happy memories or submit a poem describing what they meant to you. You can even include a picture of your companion. To do this, visit the pet charity www.bluecross.org.uk.

Replacing your pet

Another way in which people get over the death of their cat or dog is to purchase a new pet. This could be the same breed or something slightly different – some people don’t want to feel they are literally replacing a loved animal. Direct Line can also help out here, with optional cover offered against the purchase price of your pet in case of theft, straying or death due to accidental injury, up to the value of £1,500. We also offer holiday cancellation cover in case of pet loss, illness or injury, up to £1,000. You can add both these types of cover onto either of our Pet Insurance policies – Essential or Advanced cover options. For more details on this, you can visit our downloadable pet insurance policy documents online.

Dealing with pet accident or illness

Of course, it can also be very stressful for you if your pet is ill or has an accident, and the feelings you might have at this time can be akin to grief. Direct Line Pet Insurance automatically covers the cost of vets’ fees, so at least if you know your pet can get the treatment he or she needs, you can gain some relief and peace of mind. There are some exclusions that do apply here, so make sure you check the terms and conditions of your policy document in case you need to claim. Alongside this service, we also offer a Find A Vet Helpline and, in case of any legal queries, a Legal Advice Helpline.

If your pet dies, strays, gets lost, has an accident or is ill, don’t despair all on your own. We’ve designed our Direct Line Pet Insurance to help where we can and at least take some of the financial pressure off, so that you have headspace to grieve. It’s quick and easy to apply for a Pet Insurance quote, plus if you buy online you will get an instant discount.