From the moment you brought your furry friend home, your life was never the same. Suddenly, you had a four-legged best friend who was attached to you at the hip. They were your biggest fan, your favorite road trip companion, and the one who loved you unconditionally, no matter what. Through thick and thin, they were always there for you–tongue out and tail wagging. And for all the love and joy they brought into your life, it’s no wonder the pain of losing them hurts so much when they’re gone.

While nothing takes away the pain of losing your four-legged soulmate, one of the best things you can receive after they’re gone is a memorial gift, and one company that hand-crafts beautiful ones is laurelbox.

laurelbox is an Ohio-based company that was founded by cousins and best friends, Denise and Johanna. After watching close friends lose loved ones, they dedicated their careers to creating beautiful gifts that would speak to loss. From custom-engraved candles to personalized memory boxes, laurelbox offers a variety of gifts to support you after losing your pup and help you give the perfect gift to those whose hearts need a little healing.

Overview

Our Experience

I remember the day I brought home my first puppy, Chloe. I was seven years old and over the moon to have a dog. While I didn’t know anything about dogs at the time, I knew I’d found my new best friend.

Chloe was a 15-lb Havanese with a larger-than-life personality. She was a confident little dog who loved her daily walks and watching the neighborhood from the living room window. Sassy as ever, she was a little princess, and everyone knew it. She passed shortly after I went to college, and it was a blow to my family. She was always wagging her tail and spinning in circles when we walked through the door until one day she wasn’t.

Ever since that day, I’ve struggled to find memorial gifts to give loved ones whose animal companions have crossed the rainbow bridge. It’s hard enough to find the words to say, but what do you give someone who’s grieving?

It wasn’t until I found laurelbox that I realized the perfect sympathy gift really does exist.

After looking through laurelbox’s pet collection (every product tugged at my heartstrings), I decided on the Pet Memorial Engraved Frame and Candle Gift, which includes a candle engraved with your pet’s name and a picture frame with your pet’s name and a custom phrase.

The package arrived within a few days, and when I opened the box, it became clear that there are sympathy gifts and then there are laurelboxes–high-quality, heart-nourishing, soul-healing gifts wrapped up in a beautiful box. From the packaging to the product quality, this company blew me away.

The box was artfully designed with a blend of healing colors, and each item was individually wrapped inside and nestled among crinkle paper. I hesitated to open anything because everything looked so pretty!

After unboxing the items, the first thing I noticed was the artisan-level quality. Both the candle and the frame are premium products that are extremely well-made. The engraving on both is beautiful, and seeing Chloe’s name makes them all the more special.

One thing I love about the candle is that it’s 100% natural and infused with essential oils. While the scent could be a little intense for some, I love how perfectly the sweet, flowery aroma complements the earthy undertones. As far as appearance goes, the candle is gorgeous. The silver engraving looks elegant against the smooth black background, and the little paw print is such a sweet detail.

The picture frame is stunning as well. The clear frame is classy and timeless, and the magnetic panels let you easily add and remove photos. I love that it holds two photos as well. I chose one horizontal and one vertical photo of Chloe so I can switch between the two.

Teary-eyed and moved, I would absolutely recommend getting a laurelbox for you and your loved ones. While no gift can ever replace your furry family member, these boxes give you a little piece of heaven that’ll stay with you forever.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

Heartfelt and Healing

Finding the perfect sympathy gift can be hard, especially if you don’t know what to give someone experiencing such heartbreak. The amazing thing about laurelbox is that no matter which gift you choose, you can’t go wrong. Each one is beautifully crafted, and many of them can be personalized with your dog’s name to make it all the more meaningful.

laurelboxes are made to nourish hearts during difficult times, and it shows in the quality of their products. Every detail in the packaging is intentional, and the gifts themselves are thoughtful and touching. Whether you’ve lost a pet or a loved one, I can’t think of a better gift to give someone who’s grieving.

Custom Engraved Memorial Candle

Between the sophisticated design and custom engraving, this might be the classiest candle I’ve ever seen. It’s made exclusively by laurelbox in small hand-poured batches, and you can personalize it with your pet’s name.

Along with having an aesthetic appearance, it’s also eco-friendly, made from 100% all-natural soy wax, and infused with premium-grade essential oils (cedarwood, patchouli, cypress, geranium, and mint). It doesn’t have any additives or dyes, and the wick is made from all-natural ring-spun cotton that’s free from lead and zinc.

The scent is Redwood + Birch, which has a flowery aroma with a subtle woody base. The scent is pretty strong (my whole box smelled amazing because of it), but I didn’t find it to be overpowering.

Custom Photo Frame

I’ve seen a lot of pet memorial frames and love this one for its minimalist look and personalized engraving. The frame has a simple, yet elegant design, featuring two panels of crystal-clear acrylic held together by four small magnets (one on each corner). You can display two photos back-to-back, horizontally or vertically, and the magnets hold the photos securely in place.

When you place the order, you’ll have the option to add an engraving of your pet’s name and a custom phrase to the frame. I added Chloe’s name with the phrase “Forever Loved” and love how it turned out.

About laurelbox

Is the Pet Memorial Engraved Frame and Candle Gift a Good Value?

The Frame and Candle Gift is one of laurelbox’s curated gift boxes, so it’s on the higher end of the price range. But even then, this product is a fantastic value. The quality matches the price point (if not exceeds it), and laurelbox goes above and beyond to make sure every detail is just right.

These gifts really are priceless, so no matter which one you choose, you can feel good about the money you’re spending and the gift you’re giving and receiving.

How We Tested

After unboxing the products, I walked around my living room to find the perfect place to put them. I ended up placing them on my living room coffee table since that’s where I’ll see them the most. Honestly, though, both items are so classy that they could really go anywhere.

Once I had them displayed, I lit the candle. The candle scent is strong on its own, so once it was lit, the aroma filled the house. For the picture frame, I found two of my favorite pictures of Chloe and printed them on 4 x 6 photo paper. Since the frame can display two photos at a time, I went ahead and put both pictures in the frame back-to-back, and it looks amazing–so touching and timeless.

While seeing each item on its own is beautiful and heartwarming, seeing both of them together is extra special. I’ve already received compliments on both gifts, and several friends and family members plan on buying a laurelbox soon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does laurelbox ship internationally?

Yes. International orders ship within 7 to 10 business days. Once your order ships, delivery takes approximately 8 to 14 business days.

How are laurelboxes packaged?

Each laurelbox is shipped in the company’s signature packaging, which includes a beautifully designed shipping box with crinkle paper and a complementary card. You can add a gift message to your card at checkout. If you need help writing a message, you can email laurelbox, and they’ll help you craft a beautifully written message.

Can the candle be refilled?

Yes! laurelbox offers candle refill kits that you can purchase separately when needed. When you purchase a kit, you can choose from the following scents:

What gifts are available for pet owners?

laurelbox has a variety of individual memorial gifts and gift boxes for pet owners. A few items offered in both selections include:

If you’d like to create a gift box of your own, laurelbox has a “Build a Box” option where you can hand-select individual items to be packaged in laurelbox’s signature packaging.

Are laurelboxes specific to pet owners?

laurelbox offers a collection of beautiful gifts and thoughtfully curated gift boxes for anyone experiencing loss and or going through a challenging time. A few of their collections include:

Conclusion

Whether you’ve lost your furry friend or you’re looking to comfort a loved one who’s lost theirs, laurelbox offers a selection of hand-crafted memorial boxes for pet owners who are grieving. Each box is thoughtfully packaged, and each product is uniquely designed to speak to those experiencing loss.

I was deeply touched by the Pet Memorial Engraved Frame and Candle Gift I received, and I highly recommend getting one if you or someone you know has lost a pet. Not only will you feel loved and supported, but you’ll receive a heartfelt gift that will last a lifetime.