Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s late dog Dolly is celebrated with sunset funeral

Jennifer Aniston and her ex-husband Justin Theroux have laid their dog Dolly to rest.

In a ceremony shared on Theroux’s Instagram, the passing of the couple’s late Shepherd mix was marked with a flower-strewn sunset ceremony. 

Although Jennifer Aniston wasn’t specifically named in the post, a woman is seen holding Theroux’s hand during the ceremony, as well as helping to wrap the body of Dolly up in a blanket. 

Theroux wrote, “Tonight, at sunset, after a heroic struggle… our most loyal family member and protector, Dolly A. laid down her sword and shield. ?? She was surrounded by her entire family.”

In the Instagram gallery, Theroux and Aniston’s dog is covered in petals of various colours while somebody holds a lit smudge stick over Dolly’s body.

According to The Spruce, smudging is a tradition found in many alternative healing practices, particularly from Native American traditions, and involves burning a bundle of herbs to “clear negative energy” with its smoke.

Theroux also quoted US politician George Vest, writing, “The one that never deserts, the one that never proves ungrateful… is the dog— faithful and true, even in death.”

Many of Theroux’s celebrity friends shared their condolences, with Samantha Ronson leaving a string of heartbroken emojis and Mandy Moore liking the post. 

Theroux also called on people to adopt rescues, adding the hashtags #adoptdontshop and #rescuedog to his caption.

Aniston and Theroux separated in 2017, confirming in February 2018 that they had decided to divorce “mutual and lovingly… at the end of last year”. Following the announcement, Theroux later revealed that it had been “the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity”.

He said the split had been “heartbreaking” for him, adding that it was “only in the sense that the friendship would not be the same, as far as just the day to day. But the friendship is shifting and changing, you know, so that part is something that we’re both very proud of.”