Side Hustleslow risk
Pet Obituary Writing: $500/Week From Grieving Pet Owners
Pet obituary writing services charge $150-300 per piece with 3-day delivery. Target veterinary clinics in affluent areas for steady referrals.
Last verified: 3/30/2026
Pet obituary writing services charge $150-300 per piece with 3-day delivery. Target veterinary clinics in affluent areas for steady referrals.
Capital Required
$0–$500
Time Commitment
5-20 hrs/week
Skill Level
beginner
Risk Level
low
While most people chase oversaturated side hustles like food delivery or dropshipping, a quietly profitable niche has emerged in the pet services industry: professional pet obituary writing. Veterinary clinics are paying $150-300 per obituary to freelance writers who can craft heartfelt tributes for grieving pet owners, often with same-week delivery requirements.
This opportunity exists because pet ownership has exploded (70% of US households own pets as of 2024) while the humanization of pets has created demand for services previously reserved for humans. Pet owners now spend an average of $1,480 annually per pet, with end-of-life services becoming increasingly elaborate. Yet most veterinary clinics lack the time or writing expertise to offer quality memorial services.
The Economics Make Sense
A typical pet obituary runs 300-800 words and takes 2-4 hours to complete, including client consultation, research, writing, and revisions. At $150-300 per piece, you're earning $50-100 per hour – significantly better than most traditional side hustles.
Startup costs are minimal: a professional website ($200), basic marketing materials ($100), and potentially a subscription to Grammarly Pro ($12/month). Total investment under $350.
Experienced pet obituary writers report completing 3-5 obituaries weekly, generating $500-1,200 in weekly revenue. The work is entirely remote and flexible – perfect for evenings and weekends.
Why This Window Exists Now
Several trends have converged to create this opportunity:
First, the pet humanization trend accelerated during COVID-19. Pets became family members, emotional support systems, and pandemic companions. This emotional elevation has created willingness to spend on memorial services that mirror human funeral traditions.
Second, veterinary clinics are overwhelmed. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports a 25% increase in pet ownership since 2020, straining veterinary resources. Clinics want to offer memorial services but lack bandwidth for quality writing.
Third, most pet owners have never written an obituary and feel overwhelmed during grief. They're willing to pay professionals to capture their pet's personality and their relationship appropriately.
Fourth, search volume for "pet obituary writer" has increased 340% since 2022, but competition remains light – most results show generic freelance platforms rather than specialized services.
How to Execute This Business
Start by identifying your target market. Focus on affluent suburban areas with high pet ownership rates. Research veterinary clinics, pet crematoriums, and pet cemeteries in these areas using Google Maps and Yelp.
Create a simple website showcasing your services. Include sample obituaries (use fictional pets to demonstrate your writing style), pricing tiers, and a clear ordering process. Squarespace or WordPress work fine – fancy design isn't crucial, but professional presentation matters.
Develop three service tiers:
Outreach is everything in this business. Email veterinary clinic managers directly, offering a partnership where they refer clients and receive a 20-30% commission. Many clinics prefer this to handling memorial services internally.
Your pitch email should be brief: "Hi [Manager Name], I'm a professional writer specializing in pet memorial services. Many of your clients likely struggle with creating appropriate tributes during their grief. I offer professional pet obituary writing with 24-48 hour turnaround, and I'm happy to offer referring clinics a 25% commission on all referrals. Would you be interested in learning more about how this could benefit your clients?"
Target 10-15 clinics initially. Expect a 10-20% response rate, meaning 1-3 partnerships from your first outreach wave.
The Writing Process
Most pet obituaries follow a structure: pet's name and basic details, personality traits, favorite activities, relationship with family, survivors (other pets and family members), and memorial service details.
Conduct a 15-20 minute phone interview with the pet owner. Ask about the pet's personality, funny habits, favorite toys or treats, relationship with family members, and any special memories. Take detailed notes – grieving owners often share touching stories you can incorporate.
Write in a warm, respectful tone that mirrors human obituaries but acknowledges the unique aspects of pet relationships. Avoid overly sentimental language while still honoring the emotional bond.
Example opening: "Bella, a beloved Golden Retriever who brought fifteen years of joy and unconditional love to the Johnson family, passed away peacefully on October 15th, surrounded by those who cherished her most."
Scaling and Expansion
Once established with local veterinary clinics, expand to pet crematoriums, pet cemeteries, and pet loss support groups. These organizations often need memorial content and may offer recurring work.
Consider adding related services: pet memorial websites ($400-600), sympathy cards with custom messages ($75-100), or memorial photo books ($200-350). These complementary services increase average customer value significantly.
Some writers expand into human obituaries, leveraging their experience and client relationships. This transition typically doubles earning potential but requires different marketing approaches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't undercharge initially. Many new pet obituary writers start at $50-75 per piece, thinking they need to compete on price. This devalues the service and makes scaling difficult. Start at $150 minimum – grieving pet owners prioritize quality over cost.
Avoid generic templates. Each obituary should feel personalized and unique. Using obvious templates damages your reputation and reduces referral likelihood.
Don't skip the client interview. Email questionnaires seem efficient but miss emotional nuances that make obituaries compelling. Phone conversations reveal stories and details that create better final products.
Avoid promising same-day delivery initially. Until you understand your writing speed and revision requirements, stick to 2-3 day delivery windows. You can always deliver early to exceed expectations.
Realistic Timeline and Challenges
Months 1-2: Focus on website creation, initial outreach, and landing first 2-3 clients. Expect minimal revenue ($200-400) while building processes.
Months 3-6: Establish relationships with 3-5 referring partners. Revenue should reach $800-1,500 monthly with 4-8 obituaries per month.
Months 6-12: Scale to 8-12 obituaries monthly through expanded partnerships and word-of-mouth referrals. Target $2,000-3,500 monthly revenue.
The biggest challenge is emotional labor. Writing about deceased pets requires empathy and emotional intelligence, which can be draining. Some writers experience secondary grief from constant exposure to pet loss stories.
Seasonal fluctuations affect demand. Summer typically sees higher volume due to increased pet activity and accident rates, while winter may be slower.
Client communication requires sensitivity. Grieving pet owners may be difficult to work with, change requirements mid-project, or have unrealistic expectations about timeline or content.
Start This Week
First, research veterinary clinics in three affluent zip codes near you. Create a spreadsheet with clinic names, contact information, and manager names (call and ask for the practice manager's name and email).
Second, write three sample pet obituaries for fictional pets. This gives you portfolio pieces and helps you develop your writing voice. Focus on different pet types (dog, cat, exotic) and personalities.
Third, create a basic website using Squarespace or WordPress. Include your sample obituaries, service descriptions, pricing, and contact information. Don't overthink design – clarity and professionalism matter more than flashiness.
The Long-Term Opportunity
Pet obituary writing represents a sustainable niche with growing demand and limited competition. As pet humanization continues and veterinary services expand, memorial services will become increasingly standard.
The skills transfer well to other writing services: human obituaries, memorial websites, sympathy content for funeral homes, or pet-focused content marketing for veterinary businesses.
For writers seeking consistent, well-paying freelance work with meaningful impact, pet obituary writing offers an unusual combination of profitability, flexibility, and purpose that most side hustles can't match.
Research Target Market
Create Portfolio Content
Build Professional Website
Launch Veterinary Outreach
Establish Client Process
Scale Through Referrals
Experienced writers typically complete 3-5 obituaries weekly at $150-300 each, generating $500-1,200 weekly. New writers should expect $200-400 monthly initially, scaling to $2,000-3,500 monthly by month 12 with established veterinary partnerships.
No formal writing degree required, but you need strong English skills and empathy. Practice by writing sample obituaries for fictional pets. If you can write compelling social media posts or emails, you likely have sufficient skills to start.
Target affluent suburban areas with high pet ownership. Email practice managers directly, offering 20-30% commission on referrals. Focus on clinics that already offer pet cremation or memorial services, as they understand the market demand.
Standard delivery is 2-3 days, with premium options offering 24-48 hour delivery for additional fees. Allow time for client interviews (30 minutes), writing (2-3 hours), and potential revisions (30-60 minutes) per obituary.
Yes. With 70% of US households owning pets and increasing pet humanization, memorial services are growing. Search volume for pet obituary services increased 340% since 2022, while competition remains limited in most local markets.