Each Little Bird That Sings is a 2005 novel aimed for people of all ages, by Deborah Wiles, the author of Love, Ruby Lavender.
Comfort Snowberger's family lives in the fictional Snapfinger, Mississippi, where they own a funeral home.
However, Comfort, Peach and Dismay are caught in a flash flood at the cemetery, and struggle to stay above water on an oak tree.
Comfort pries Peach's fingers off of Dismay's collar, leaving the dog to float down the stream alone.
Knowing he is dead, Snapfinger holds a memorial service for Dismay, but Declaration and Comfort remain upset with each other.