In this heartfelt episode of Sit, Lay, Rest, guest E.B. Bartels—author of ”Good Grief”—opens up about the complexities of losing treasured animal companions. Drawing from her own experiences of pet loss starting at a young age, E.B. shares how these moments shaped her curiosity about grief rituals around animals and inspired her to research how people from various backgrounds mourn their pets.

Listeners are guided through stories of personal essays, family rituals, and cultural practices surrounding pet death—from scatterings of ashes in meaningful places to the comfort found in memorial boxes and framed photos. E.B. reflects on the lasting impact of each pet, the emotional responsibilities that come with caring for animals, and the universal grief that connects all kinds of loss, whether animal or human.

The episode is filled with warmth, vulnerability, and surprising facts about how people celebrate, honor, and remember their non-human loved ones. If you’ve ever experienced the loss of a pet or want to better understand the special bond between humans and animals, this episode offers empathy, solace, and a celebration of love that outlasts loss.