OK, my daughters wee pet hamster has sadly passed away. i confess to shedding a wee tear myself as it was me who found her.

So, what im looking for is ideas for a wee simple pagan funeral for our wee furry friend?
Something that the kids will understand and maybe be involved in somehow?
This is the first time they've had to deal with death really, so any suggestions or ideas will be most welcome.
I had actually prepared them for it, as the hamster didnt look well this morning when i checked on her (she was quite old and poorly).


Tree x

When my hamster died I put him in a tea box along with some of my grain incense, and just said a wee prayer for him.

Maybe get your kids to write a goodbye message and bury their notes with the hamster.

Can't really think of anything to suggest.

Wrapped mine (nimber 3) in a tea towel, and put him inna shoe box. Forbes and I went out and gathered wild flowers. Put them in too. Then we buried him in country. Forbes was c11, and heartbroken. (So was I).
If the kids get involved in burying him with nice synbolic* stuff, it makes it easier - and they seem to intuitively "know" what is going on.

*i.e. his favourite ball, bedding, food, etc.

thast a nice idea Tas, burying her out in the country. And yes, i do weant the kdis to be involved as ,uch as possible as this will be their first experience of death. The flowers sound like an excellent idea as the daffs adn snowdrops are all out now in teh woods so that would be lovely. Think we'll take some of her fave food to bury with her and maybe use Hernes idea of notes or pics as my twins cant write very well yet.
BUt I was thinking more of how to explain whre shes gone should they ask. I have family who are christian and woudl say shew's gone to heaven but i feel amybe saying shes died and her spirit is running around in the woods or something would be slightly better? Let em know what you think

Tree

I think that's a great way of putting it to them hon.

Well, we had our little ceremony today.
the kdsi were very upset when i broke the news to them, but id already put teh wee thing in a box with some of her bedding and she was curled up as tho sleeping. SO the kids each took a turn strokign her and saying their goodbyes.
WE buried her in teh back garden and then went for a wee walk in the woods as the kdsi wanted to collect a few wild flowers to put on her wee grave. I had explained that her wee spirit body would be running around in the woods so tehy all said goodbye to her there too.
We came back, they laid there flowers and then i left them for a few minutes while they said their own wee things to her.
It was lovely for them and i think it has helped immensely in dealing with their grief. they seem much happier now.
Thanks all for teh suggestions, they were very useful.

Tree x

That sound lovely Tree. They've said there wee goodbyes and they think little hammies running round the woods. Its not easy teaching children about death and unfortunately they do need to learn, but it sounds like their first experiance of it was something really special and they will always remember that. Hope they are ok.
Nan xxx