Honoring Pets Through Our Memorial Tree Program

In June 2026, MetLife Pet Insurance launched a Memorial Tree Program in collaboration with the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The program aims to help pet parents during a very emotional time by honoring the beloved companions they’ve lost. To do this, MetLife Pet supports the planting of a memorial tree in a U.S. National Forest for insured pets that pass away.

How the Memorial Tree Program Works

When you lose a pet, it can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions with no end in sight. It’s not just a dog or cat you’ve lost; they’re a part of you and your family. Sometimes, finding a way to honor your pet’s memory can help in the grieving and healing process. Many of us at MetLife Pet are pet parents ourselves, and that’s why we strive to offer our support not just financially, but emotionally as well.

After the loss of a pet, policyholders receive a sympathy card from us with a note stating a tree will be planted in memory of that furry family member when their coverage is canceled. This Memorial Tree Program expands our pets- and people-first benefits, which currently include grief counseling¹ for policyholders during and after the loss of a pet.

The trees that the NFF plants help with reforestation, providing homes for wildlife, and assisting with clean air and water. Forests that have been damaged by environmental challenges, disease, or wildfire are being reforested and made more resilient through these planting efforts.² We believe contributing to this through the Memorial Tree Program is just one way to help honor the special bond you have with your pet.

Remembering Your Pet

There’s no single or “right way” to honor a pet that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. To help alleviate some of the mental load during this transitional time, here are a few ideas to use as inspiration:

• Create a memorial spot at home with pictures, toys, accessories, or their urn (if they were cremated). This could be a spot on a shelf, in a shadow box, or on the wall.
• Take a page from the Memorial Tree Program’s book and plant something in your pet’s honor. Maybe flowers in the yard, a potted plant on a porch, or a whole garden with an engraved memorial stone.
• Create or commission custom art using your pet as the star of the piece. Whether it’s a painting, embroidery, or even a T-shirt, you’ll get to see your pet’s face every day.
• You could take something of theirs and turn it into a wearable or carriable item — like a locket with fur in it, a bracelet made with their tags, or a keychain with their picture.
• Make a photo album or memory book full of pictures, stories, notes, nicknames, and anything else that made them so special.

While it may be an emotional time, celebrating them each year is one way to continue their legacy after they’re gone. Get a treat on their birthday, celebrate on the day you brought them home by sharing stories with loved ones, or repeat their favorite activity on a day that’s meaningful to you.

Keep their memories close and reach out for support when you need it.

MetLife Pet Cares

For our current policyholders who would like assistance in understanding your grief counseling¹ benefits or how to make policy adjustments, give our pet advocates a call. If you’re not a current policyholder but looking to enroll your furry family or switch providers, get a free quote or call us to discuss customization options.

We at MetLife Pet hope this memorialization helps families heal after losing a pet.