Luxury Services, High Prices, and the Need for Regulation

The pet funeral market in China is experiencing a surge in demand for comprehensive services. These services, which encompass farewell ceremonies, cremation, memorial products, and burial options, come at a significant cost. Premium, customized luxury farewell ceremonies are being offered, with prices reaching as high as 9,880 yuan. These elaborate services often include uniformed pallbearers, luxury vehicles, and elaborate floral arrangements.

The cost of pet cremation is largely determined by the pet's weight, with prices ranging from 200 to 1,000 yuan. Basic packages typically include body preparation, ash storage, memorial photos, and an urn bag. Additional services, such as video production, specialized urns, preserved paw prints and fur samples, and religious memorial rituals, can double the price. Burial options, including ground interment and tree burial plots, are also available, with costs starting at over 3,000 yuan.

Larger individual burial plots can incur fees exceeding 8,000 yuan. When combined with cremation expenses, the total cost of a pet funeral can easily surpass 10,000 yuan. Some businesses also offer religious memorial ceremonies, priced at 1,888 yuan per session. One Shanghai-based pet funeral specialist reported that their basic service charges begin above 2,000 yuan per order, with several cases each month exceeding 10,000 yuan.

One pet owner, Xiao Qing, spent 2,300 yuan on funeral services, which included transportation in a special casket, body preparation, dressing, and a simple farewell ceremony. She stated that these rituals helped her accept her pet's passing. Promotional videos on social media showcase luxury farewell ceremonies, emphasizing the desire to provide a grand farewell for beloved pets.

While some online users express skepticism about the extravagance of luxury pet funerals, others believe the emotional connection with pets justifies the expense. However, some consumers have reported discrepancies between advertised and actual service quality. Industry insiders acknowledge the absence of standardized service protocols or pricing frameworks, emphasizing that service quality ultimately relies on a business's integrity.

Experts highlight that the pet funeral industry is still emerging and operates within legal and regulatory gray areas. They recommend establishing governmental oversight through designated administrative departments, implementing collaborative social governance, and developing comprehensive industry service standards for pet funeral management.