Rainbow Bridge | Bebette's Bunny Resc

Honoring Your Rabbit’s Memory: Aftercare Options and Memorial Ideas

Saying goodbye to a beloved rabbit is never easy, and we want you to know you're not alone during this difficult time. This guide offers compassionate and practical options for aftercare—including necropsy, cremation, burial, keepsakes, and ways to honor their legacy. Whether you're seeking answers, a meaningful farewell, or a special way to keep their memory alive, we hope these suggestions bring comfort and support as you navigate this journey with love and care.

Necropsy

Losing a beloved rabbit is incredibly difficult, and you may find comfort in understanding the cause of their passing. A necropsy can provide insight and closure. We recommend the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL), as they offer thorough and compassionate services at one of the most affordable rates available. The standard necropsy, including shipping, is typically around $130, though you may choose to deliver your rabbit in person to their Kissimmee, Florida location to reduce costs. Additional options, such as a memorial paw print, can be requested. The BADDL team is highly professional, kind, and takes the time to explain findings over the phone, ensuring you understand the results with clarity and compassion. We are here to help guide you through the process if needed. For more information, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Burial

A burial allows you to create a peaceful resting place for your rabbit, either at home (where permitted) or in a designated pet cemetery. Some families find comfort in planting a flowering tree or plant in their rabbit’s honor, creating a living tribute that continues to grow and bloom. This can serve as a beautiful, lasting reminder of the love you shared.

If you’d like to preserve a special memory, you can create a DIY salt dough paw print using simple ingredients you likely already have at home, such as flour, salt, and water. Alternatively, you can purchase a clay paw print mold for a more durable keepsake. These imprints can serve as a heartfelt way to remember your rabbit and keep a tangible piece of them close.

Cremation

Cremation is a meaningful way to honor your rabbit's memory, and there are different options to choose from.

Communal Cremation: Your rabbit will be cremated with others, and ashes will not be returned.

Private Cremation: Your rabbit will be cremated individually, ensuring that only their ashes are returned to you. Many cremation services allow you to select an urn or decorative box, and some offer home or veterinary pickup for added convenience. There are also options to incorporate ashes into memorial jewelry.

Jewlery Creations

For those who wish to keep a part of their rabbit close to their heart, there are custom jewelry options that incorporate their ashes or a small clipping of their fur. Many cremation providers offer jewelry services, and independent artists on platforms like Etsy can also create one-of-a-kind memorial pieces, such as pendants, rings, or bracelets.

The Bunny Roots Legacy Program

Planting love, growing memories.

The Bunny Roots Legacy Program is a heartfelt way to honor the life of your beloved rabbit by planting a Florida-friendly tree at Bebette’s Bunny Rescue. Nestled on 20 peaceful acres surrounded by wildlife, our sanctuary provides a serene and meaningful space for remembrance.

With your donation, we will plant an established tree in your rabbit’s honor. You may choose from two options: a $250 donation covers the planting of a beautiful, mature tree, and a $300 donation includes the tree along with a handmade name marker to commemorate your bunny’s life.

You’re invited to include a personal tribute, such as your rabbit’s name, a message, or photo, which can be shared on our digital memorial page either publicly or privately. While plant selection depends on the season and availability, each tree is chosen with care to reflect the beauty of your bunny’s memory.

This program not only creates a lasting tribute but also helps support the rescue’s medical fund and the ongoing care of our memorial plantings. Your bunny’s memory will live on in a space filled with love, hope, and healing.

Helping a Grieving Rabbit: Supporting a Bonded Bunny After the Loss of Their Companion

When a bonded pair of rabbits loses a mate, it can be a very difficult time for the surviving bunny. Here are steps you can take to help them through this period:

1. Allow Them to Say Goodbye: If possible, let the surviving rabbit spend some time with their mate’s body. This can help them understand what has happened and reduce the stress of looking for their partner.

2. Provide Extra Comfort: The surviving rabbit may become depressed or anxious. Offer extra attention, comfort, and reassurance during this time. Spend more time with them and make sure they are eating and drinking normally.

3. Monitor for Changes: Keep a close eye on their behavior, appetite, and litter box habits. Grieving rabbits can become ill if they stop eating or become too stressed.

4. Consider a New Bond: If your rabbit seems lonely, you may want to consider bonding them with a new companion. It is recommened to introduce a new rabbit gradually, as it can take time for them to form a new bond. However, some rabbits find an instant connection as they are longing for the company of another rabbit.

5. Provide Enrichment: Keep your rabbit engaged with toys, tunnels, and other activities. This can help distract them from their grief and maintain their mental well-being.

If you notice any signs of severe depression or health issues, contact your vet for advice. The loss of a mate is significant, and your support will be crucial in helping your rabbit adjust.

More Details on Necropsy

We know this is a lot of information, and chances are you're reading this because you've unexpectedly lost a beloved animal and need answers quickly. Please don't feel like you have to navigate this process alone. Reach out to us as soon as you need assistance, and we'll gladly help you with the paperwork, packaging, shipping, and any questions you have along the way.

We believe knowledge is one of the greatest gifts a necropsy can provide. Receiving scientific answers can bring meaningful closure after the loss of a beloved rabbit, while also helping the rabbit rescue community learn from each unique case. Every diagnosis adds to our understanding of rabbit health and may help veterinarians, rescues, and future rabbit owners recognize and treat similar conditions more effectively.

For the most thorough answers, we recommend submitting your animal for a necropsy through the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL), part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Their pathologists specialize in diagnosing animal diseases and can perform a complete necropsy along with additional diagnostic testing, such as histopathology, when appropriate.

If you are close enough to drive your animal to the laboratory in Kissimmee, we recommend calling ahead to let them know you're coming and keeping your animal properly refrigerated during transport.

If driving isn't an option, this guide will walk you through how to safely package and overnight ship your animal specimen to the laboratory.

Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL)

Address: 2700 N. John Young Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34741-1266

Hours: Monday–Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone: 321-697-1400
Fax: 321-697-1467
Email: DiagLab@FDACS.gov

What Does a Necropsy Cost?

Pricing varies depending on the species and requested testing. For rabbits, our experience has typically been between $100–150 for a complete necropsy, with additional testing available if recommended by the pathologist.

One feature we really appreciate is that payment for both the necropsy and the overnight shipping is not due upfront. The laboratory bills after the necropsy has been completed and the findings are available. This makes the process much more manageable for families who may not be prepared for an unexpected expense during an already difficult time.

Creating an Account

The BADDL website requires an account to create the overnight shipping label and receive billing after the necropsy is complete.

If you would rather not create your own account, we're happy to create the shipment under our laboratory account and list you as the animal's owner. We can also help complete all of the required submission paperwork.

Our Necropsy Shipping Kits

Because loss often happens unexpectedly, we offer ready-to-go necropsy shipping kits to help simplify the process.

Each kit includes:

Insulated cooler
Ice packs
Heavy-duty trash bags
Ziploc bags
Cardboard shipping box
Required laboratory paperwork

We're also happy to walk you through the entire process.

For $45 donation, we'll provide all of the necessary packing materials, help you complete the laboratory paperwork, professionally package your animal for shipment, and prepare everything for overnight FedEx delivery.

This fee covers our packing service and materials only. The BADDL necropsy fee and FedEx Overnight shipping charges are paid separately through the laboratory after the necropsy has been completed and your findings are available.

Shipping Requirements

The specimen must be shipped FedEx Overnight through a staffed FedEx location.

Before dropping off your package, ask the FedEx location what time their last overnight pickup leaves for the airport. This helps ensure your package arrives at the laboratory the next business day.

The outside of the cardboard shipping box must be properly marked with the required shipping information. This includes:

The words "Biological Substance, Category B" on the outer package.
The UN 3373 diamond-shaped marking (minimum dimensions 50 mm × 50 mm) placed adjacent to the wording.
The lettering must be at least 6 mm in height.
The words "This Side Up" on the outside of the package to indicate the proper shipping orientation.

We'll demonstrate exactly how to label the box in our instructional video.

Important Reminders

Do not freeze the body.
Place your animal in the refrigerator immediately after death.
Create your shipping label through your BADDL account (or contact us and we'll help create one).
Ship using FedEx Overnight.
If your animal passes away on a weekend or outside of laboratory hours, we can help you determine the safest way to preserve the body until it can be shipped.

If you have questions or would like assistance with the necropsy process, shipping, paperwork, or one of our necropsy shipping kits, please call or text 904-335-8277. We're happy to help guide you through every step during what we know can be a very difficult time.

A Final Note: The information on this page is provided simply as a resource to help you and your rabbit during a difficult time. While we highly recommend the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL) based on our experience, Bebette's Bunny Rescue is not affiliated with or partnered with BADDL or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Our goal is to make the necropsy process easier to understand and to help families obtain answers that may bring closure and contribute to the ongoing knowledge of rabbit health.