Pet funeral service providers in Hong Kong are calling for regulatory changes to allow animal ashes to be placed in the same niches as their owners.
Petmento, part of Sage LaGreen Funeral Services, has been urging the government since last year to relax rules on columbariums and cemeteries. The company reports rising inquiries from people wanting to keep pets' remains with family members.
Wing Pun Hong-Wing, Petmento co-founder and director, noted that pets are now welcome in many shopping centres and will soon enter restaurants. He said human niches remain closed to these animals despite such shifts.
Pun highlighted that many in newer generations view pets as their only family. He added that most requests at cemeteries are declined without explanation.