10 Animals That Mourn Their Dead: (Yes, Even Elephants Cry)

A Wildflower Funeral Concepts blog post

Grief isn’t just a human experience. In the wild, across species and continents, animals pause, linger, weep, and return to the places where their companions once lived.

At Wildflower, we talk about grief as something deeply human — but also something deeply natural. These moments remind us that loss is part of life’s design… and mourning is one of its most sacred expressions.

Here are 10 remarkable animals that seem to grieve their dead — each in their own quiet, powerful way.

1. Elephants

Elephants are famous for mourning. They gently touch the bones of lost family members with their trunks, rock back and forth in stillness, and often visit the same burial places year after year. Herds have even been seen standing in silence — holding vigil. Yes, even elephants cry.

2. Orcas (Killer Whales)

In 2018, an orca known as Tahlequah carried her dead calf for 17 days — over 1,000 miles — refusing to let go. Orcas live in tight-knit family pods, and when one dies, their companions often show signs of vocal distress and separation anxiety.

3. Magpies

These black-and-white songbirds have been observed placing blades of grass, twigs, or shiny objects beside the bodies of deceased flock members — a quiet gesture of offering that echoes the earliest human rituals.

4. Chimpanzees

When a chimpanzee dies, the troop sometimes sits silently beside the body. Mothers have been known to carry their dead infants for days or even weeks. The group may avoid the area for a time afterward, showing signs of communal grief.

5. Giraffes

Though more subtle, giraffes have been observed returning to the bodies of deceased companions, lingering quietly and nudging the remains with their noses. Mothers have stood vigil over calves for hours.

6. Crows

Crows not only mourn — they warn. When a crow dies, others gather, sometimes in large numbers, near the body. Scientists believe this behavior is both mourning and a form of death education, helping them learn what to avoid. In either case, the gathering is solemn and strange — like a funeral.

7. Dolphins

Dolphins are highly intelligent and emotional creatures. They’ve been seen carrying dead calves, swimming in slow circles around lost podmates, and even emitting long, plaintive whistles that suggest vocal mourning.

8. Wolves

When a member of the pack dies, wolves have been observed howling together, withdrawing socially, and becoming lethargic. They also sometimes return to the site of a death long after it occurs — as if visiting a grave.

9. Dogs

Anyone who’s loved a dog knows they grieve. They search, whimper, sleep beside beds, and sometimes stop eating. Dogs have even been known to visit the graves of their human companions — lying there, waiting.

10. Horses

Herd animals through and through, horses form deep bonds. When one dies, the others often sniff, nuzzle, or stay close to the body. Removing the deceased too quickly can cause distress — some horse owners allow surviving herd mates time to say goodbye.

Grief is not weakness. It’s love with nowhere to go.Whether you’re a human, an elephant, or a magpie — mourning is a way of remembering. A way of staying connected. A way of saying: you mattered.

At Wildflower Funeral Concepts, we believe that honoring death is part of honoring life — and that even in the natural world, we see rituals of connection, sorrow, and love. You are not alone in your grief. You never were.

About Wildflower Funeral Concepts

Wildflower Funeral Concepts is a modern, eco-friendly funeral home located in the heart of Ferndale, Washington — proudly serving families across Whatcom County and beyond. We specialize in green burial, aquamation, terramation (natural organic reduction), and sustainable cremation services. Whether you’re seeking funeral pre-planning, compassionate grief support, or thoughtful guidance through loss, we’re here with kindness, integrity, and a deep sense of community. From veterans services to natural farewells rooted in love and ecology, Wildflower offers a new way to honor life — gently, honestly, and consciously.