A Fishy Kind of Funeral

Once upon a time about five months ago, Reiss began "working" towards getting a fish. He had his days where he displayed really great behaviors and he also had possibly as many days of making poor choices. On those days where the good outweighed the bad, he earned a gumball on his behavior chart. When he finally met his goal in April, we went shopping, as a family outing, for a fish for Reiss.

Reiss picked out a bluish-purple betta fish and named him Nemo.

Nemo has been losing color, not eating, breathing more slowly, and has been all-around sluggish for around a week. The almighty Google and all its knowledge could not save our fish, despite an epsom salt bath and a frozen pea feeding. I knew Nemo was going to pass away at some point in the night last night and asked Reiss to say good-bye to him yesterday evening.

A sinus infection had me awake around 3:30 am last night and that is when I discovered Nemo's death.

This evening we had a funeral for Nemo. Contradicting Asian myths regarding pregnancy and death that dictate pregnant women should not be in the presence of the dead, I attended the funeral and took pictures. I hope the myth only applies to people and not fish.


Nemo in his brand-new casket. James just entered the iPhone world on Friday and his phone's box made the perfect burial container for a betta fish. May Nemo rest in peace in the comforts of his lined satiny smooth box.

Milla helps with the burial.

Reiss places the final dustings of earth on our dearly beloved.

Even fish deserve a proper headstone, right?