In recent years, along with the deepening of Chinese people’s affection for pets, the pet funeral industry has quietly emerged.
In just the last three months, more than a thousand pet funeral companies have been established. This phenomenon is unexpected but reflects people’s emphasis on the value of pet lives.
Market analysis indicates that the pet funeral market is growing at a rate of over 20% annually. With the specialization and commercialization of pet funeral services, an increasing number of people are beginning to accept this concept and are willing to pay for it. This change not only represents a shift in people’s attitudes towards pets but also reflects the rapid development of the pet economy. In fact, in some cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, the demand for pet funeral services is becoming increasingly urgent. Locally, some pet hospitals even bundle funeral services with medical care. The emergence of this one-stop service allows pet owners to handle post-death arrangements in the most convenient way, thereby reducing their psychological burden.
The collision of traditional culture and modern pet concepts in China is mainly focused on respect and praise for human beings in traditional funeral concepts. The concern for pets is relatively less. However, as pets gradually become family members, pet funerals also begin to collide with traditional culture. Specifically, in pet-owning households, the pain and mourning caused by the death of pets are gradually reflected in the lifestyle of each family. Whether it is the choice of cemetery, the form of the funeral, or the final farewell method, all demonstrate the cultural impact brought about by this change. Public opinions on the necessity of pet funerals are diverse. On one hand, many people emphasize that the companionship of pets is undoubtedly priceless, and their emotional support and dependence on their owners are worth showing respect for life through funerals. On the other hand, some people believe that this kind of funeral service is a luxury consumption and seems irrational under economic pressure. As part of the changes in current society, let us return to the story of the old man. We cannot help but think, what makes the old man feel ‘sick’ in the eyes of others? When he is at a loss for the health and final funeral of his beloved dog, it actually reflects a lack of understanding of pet owners in society to a large extent. With the rise of the pet funeral industry, we need society’s understanding and tolerance towards pet owners. The death of a pet is not only a farewell to a family member but also a healing of the spiritual world. The prevalence of pet funeral practices undoubtedly has a profound impact on the transformation of the entire society’s values.