Saying goodbye to beloved pet? 5 pet funeral services near Seoul
Digital Memorial Hall "Aver" / Courtesy of Four Paws
As more people embrace pets as life companions, the need for dignified and heartfelt ways to say goodbye has grown.
In Korea, pet funerals are no longer a niche offering. From traditional cremation to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered memorials, the industry is evolving to reflect the deep emotional bond between humans and their pets.
However, navigating what to do after a pet passes away can be confusing for many owners. Under Korea’s Waste Management Act, animal remains are classified as household waste. Improper burial or cremation outside of authorized facilities can lead to fines of up to 1 million won ($720). While some may dispose of remains using designated garbage bags or through veterinary clinics, an increasing number of owners are turning to certified pet funeral services.
Though Seoul currently lacks licensed animal crematoriums, there are several professional pet funeral homes just outside the city in Gyeonggi Province. These facilities offer accessible, compassionate and often 24/7 services to support grieving families.
Here are some notable pet funeral service providers near Seoul:
Letter reply service offered by Four Paws through its online virtual memorial hall, "Georeo-on" / Courtesy of Four Paws
Four Paws
Address: 409-11, Sansu-ro, Chowol-eup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 1588-2888
Hours: Open 24 hours, year-round
Four Paws offers a modern, tech-driven memorial experience through its “Aver” tribute hall, where photos, videos and messages uploaded by pet owners are displayed on a digital media wall. The facility also features an online tribute platform where owners can write letters to their departed pets — and receive AI-generated responses, crafted using shared memories to simulate the pet’s voice. This service provides a deeply personal and uniquely digital grieving experience. English language support is currently available only at the Gwangju branch.
Owner watching the cremation process of their pet / Courtesy of Petbaragi
Petbaragi
Address: 25-2 Eunma-gil 63beon-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 031-976-3179
Hours: Open 24 hours, year-round
Located in Ilsan — one of the closest pet funeral facilities to western Seoul — Petbaragi is a government-approved service offering a variety of funeral packages. Basic offerings such as body preparation, use of a ceremonial hall and a ceramic urn are provided free of charge. Cremation fees vary depending on the pet’s weight, and premium options like wooden coffins, silk shrouds and high-end urns are available for an additional fee. Services are provided in Korean.
Memorial gemstones “Lucette” / Courtesy of Pet Forest
Pet Forest
Address: 77 Opoan-ro, Opo-eup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 1577-0996 (7:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pet Forest offers creative memorial options for grieving families. Beyond standard cremation services, the facility creates “Lucette” memorial gemstones made from a pet’s ashes, and biodegradable hanji (traditional Korean paper) ash pouches. These eco-conscious pouches are designed for long-term storage or natural burial, blending emotional tribute with sustainability. English language support is available.
Memorial room of 21 Gram / Courtesy of 21 Gram
21 Gram (Namyangju Branch)
Address: 86 Sure-ro 964beon-gil, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 031-1688-1240
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Designed with privacy and emotional care in mind, 21 Gram’s Namyangju branch allows pet owners to say goodbye in a peaceful, secluded setting. The space features calming wood-tone interiors and is surrounded by nature — ideal for quiet farewells. Every part of the process takes place in a soundproof, private room to ensure families can grieve without interruption. English language support is available during select hours.
Interior of a mobile pet funeral service vehicle / Courtesy of PETMUN
PETMUN (Mobile Funeral Services)
Contact: 02-322-1004
Hours: 24/7 consultations available
As Seoul lacks cremation facilities, many owners have no choice but to travel or seek alternatives. PETMUN solves this with a mobile cremation service. A specially equipped vehicle visits the client’s home, carries out a brief farewell ceremony and performs a smokeless, odorless on-site cremation. The ashes are then returned in a selected urn. English language support is available during selected hours.
Residents of Seoul’s Mapo District can receive a 60 percent discount on service fees, and pet owners aged 75 or older who live alone are eligible to use the service free of charge.
Youn Ye-jin is a Korea Times intern.