Gift Guides
Memorial Gifts: Photo Shirts to Remember a Loved One or a Pet
Nov
Updated November 2, 2026
Good memorial gifts keep a face close without asking the grieving person to do anything. A shirt or sweatshirt printed with a favorite photo of the person or pet they lost does exactly that. They can wear it to the service, on the hard anniversaries, or just around the house when they miss them.
When someone loses a grandmother, or the dog that slept at the foot of their bed for fourteen years, it’s hard to know what to give. Flowers fade within a week. A photo printed on something soft they can actually wear is a quieter kind of comfort, and it’s one we take seriously when we print it.
Who it’s for
- A friend looking for memorial gifts for loss of mother that ask nothing of the person grieving
- Siblings ordering the same in-memory shirt so each of them has one at the service
- Grandkids wearing a grandparent’s photo to the celebration of life
- Teammates or classmates honoring a young person they lost
- A mom putting Dad’s photo on shirts for the kids to wear on his birthday
- Someone sending a sympathy gift to a friend who just said goodbye to a dog or cat
In loving memory gifts for a person
All six of our memorial designs for people are vintage photo tees. The photo is toned black and white and set under a tall headline, with clean white or antique gold lettering. It looks like an old family snapshot, which tends to suit a memorial better than anything bright. Pick the one that names the relationship, then add their photo and name.
For a grandchild missing their grandma
In loving memory grandma photo shirt
Her photo and her name, printed in the vintage style. A custom memorial gift that family members can each order in their own size for the service.
For a family that lost Grandma
Angel wings memorial shirt for Grandma
Grandma’s photo framed by angel wings, with her name. Families often order it in matching sizes for the celebration of life.
For a grandchild missing Grandpa
Grandpa memorial photo shirt with name and years
His photo, his name and the years he lived, under an in loving memory headline. Grandkids can wear it to the service and again on his birthday.
After the loss of a mother
In memory of Mom photo and name shirt
Made for a son or daughter grieving their mom. A sympathy gift that a sibling can give to the others, so each of them has the same photo close.
After the loss of a father
In memory of Dad photo and name shirt
Dad’s photo and name on a memorial design for the celebration of life. For many families it becomes the shirt they wear on Father’s Day from then on.
For a family that lost a brother
Angel wings memorial shirt for a brother
A photo and name with angel wings, listed for a brother but right for any young loss. Friends from his team or class can order one too.
Remembrance gifts after losing a pet
People sometimes feel awkward grieving a pet out loud. A shirt with the dog’s or cat’s face says it for them. If a friend just said goodbye at the vet, one of these lets them know you understand it was a real loss.
For a dog or cat owner
Pet memorial bootleg tee
A 90s rap-tee collage of the pet’s photos with chrome lettering. Choose from up to 15 design colorways, which helps if the pet had a signature color.
For someone grieving their cat
In loving memory cat photo shirt
A gentle vintage photo tee made for cat loss. One clear portrait of their cat, toned black and white.
For a dog mom
Angel wings pet memorial shirt
Their dog’s portrait with angel wings, toned in the vintage style. A gentle sympathy gift for a mom who just lost her best friend.
For a man who lost his dog
Puppy to senior dog memorial collage
A collage that tells the whole story, from the first week home to the last slow walk. Wives often order this one for a husband who won’t say how much he misses the dog.
All eleven designs, along with related styles, are in these collections:
If the loss was a pet, our pet memorial gift ideas guide goes deeper on that.
Choosing the photo for a memorial photo gift
This is the part that takes the most care, and sometimes the most asking around. Often the best photo is on someone else’s phone. A few things help it print well:
- Look for a clear, well-lit picture where the face is turned toward the camera.
- A phone photo is fine. If you have the original file, use it; higher resolution prints sharper than a screenshot.
- Check that the head, ears or tail aren’t cut off at the edges.
- Pick an expression that feels like them: the laugh, the head tilt, the way they looked at the camera.
Please only upload photos you took or that the family is happy for you to use. We also can’t print famous people, logos, team marks or cartoon characters, even as a tribute, and an order containing them will be canceled with a full refund. The photo guidelines page has examples of what prints well.
When memorial gifts help most
There isn’t a wrong time, but these moments come up for most families:
The service or celebration of life
Matching shirts let everyone wear the same face. Order early, because a made-to-order shirt can’t always beat a date that’s only days away.
Christmas without them
The first December after a loss is rough. A remembrance gift under the tree gives the family a way to include the person who’s missing.
A birthday or the date they passed
A sweatshirt to wear on the day itself, or on a hike to a place they loved.
When everyone else has moved on
A few months out, the cards stop coming. A gift then tells your friend you haven’t forgotten.
Which garment to choose
Comfort is the main thing here. Many people reach for the crewneck or hoodie because it’s something to wrap up in on a bad day.
| Option | Feel | Sizes | Sizing tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Colors 1717 tee | Soft garment-dyed cotton, 6.1 oz, cut relaxed and unisex | S–4XL | Order their normal size |
| Comfort Colors 1566 crewneck | 80% cotton, 20% polyester fleece | S–3XL | True to size relaxed; go up 1–2 for a roomy fit |
| Comfort Colors 1567 hoodie | Preshrunk 80/20 fleece, lined hood, front pocket | S–2XL | Same as the crewneck |
Exact measurements are on the size guide. Since each shirt is printed for one person, we can’t take returns for a wrong size or color choice.
Ordering and timing
- Garment and sizeDecide between tee, crewneck or hoodie, then choose a size.
- ColorsChoose a shirt color, plus the design color on the bootleg tee.
- Photo and nameUpload the picture and type the name. It replaces the sample shown on the listing.
- CheckoutYour order is printed and shipped from the USA.
Printing takes 1–3 business days and USPS delivery takes 3–5 business days with tracking, so most orders arrive in about 4–8 business days. We can’t guarantee a specific date, so if a service is coming up, order as soon as you have the photo. For gifts meant for the holidays, December 5, 2026 is our cutoff for Christmas delivery. The shipping times guide explains the details.
Common questions
Can I order matching memorial shirts for the whole family?
Yes. Each shirt is ordered with its own size, and you can add several to one order. If the order totals $75 or more, US shipping costs nothing.
Can the photo be an old print instead of a digital file?
You’ll need to upload a digital image. A clear, well-lit phone photo of the print can work, but the sharper the file, the better the shirt looks.
What if the shirt is misprinted or isn’t what I ordered?
Take a picture of the problem and contact us within 15 days of delivery. A misprint, wording that differs from what you typed, or a wrong item gets a free replacement or a refund.
Will it arrive before the funeral?
Only if there’s enough time. Plan on 4–8 business days total, and know that delivery dates aren’t guaranteed.
Keep their face close
Browse every memorial design, for parents, grandparents, siblings and pets.
