By Eunseo Hong / Published on 15th May, 2023

In October last year, 35-year-old Park Gyu-ri faced the heartbreaking task of arranging a funeral for her beloved dog. The day her pet passed away, she hurriedly searched for pet cremation services online and made a desperate call. The operator sent her a text with an address and told her to head there.

The location turned out to be a pet crematorium in the Sangnok District of Ansan City. Tucked between a container unit and a greenhouse, the site didn’t inspire confidence. Upon arrival, a staff member presented her with options for a shroud, casket, and other add-ons—at twice the price initially quoted over the phone.

“I couldn’t bring myself to go through with it,” Park said. “The facilities were unclean, and there was an odd smell. I was devastated, but I couldn’t imagine saying goodbye to my dog in such a place.” Later, she discovered the facility was operating illegally.

When this reporter visited the crematorium on May 8, it was as remote as described—a 20-minute taxi ride or over 30 minutes on foot from the nearest bus stop in Ansan.

Outside, a grieving family of four was seen entering the building. All dressed in black, a woman in her 30s wiped away tears as she held the hand of her daughter, a child no older than six with swollen, red eyes. They were saying goodbye to Raon, their companion of 13 years.

When asked if they knew the crematorium was unlicensed, the family seemed puzzled. “This sort of thing has legal and illegal versions?” they asked. A notice posted near the road just outside the crematorium read, “A fine of up to 500,000 KRW for illegal incineration.”

The interior of the facility was modest. On the right side of the entrance were a small office and consultation room, with a hallway leading to a preparation room, memorial spaces, and, at the back, an observation area connected to the cremation chamber.

One wall was covered with sticky notes left by grieving pet owners. “Deoksun, please wait for me in a better place,” read one. Another said, “Our dear Mong, do you feel no more pain in heaven? Are you happy there?”

A staff member ushered this reporter into the consultation room, where items such as urns and wooden caskets were displayed. The staff member explained that prices depend on the pet’s weight, estimating that a 5kg animal would cost around 200,000 KRW (roughly $150). Additional charges applied for memory stones—crafted by heating ashes into a solid, stone-like keepsake—as well as for shrouds and caskets. The entire process, including cremation and stone creation, typically took about an hour.

When asked whether the facility was officially licensed, the staff member responded, “We haven’t registered yet, but we’re no different from legal operators. We’ve been running this business for years without any issues.” However, officials from the Sangnok District Office confirmed that the crematorium had been operating without a permit for several years, with three fines already issued for illegal operations.

Kim Soo-hwan, a 52-year-old taxi driver, mentioned he had dropped off passengers at the crematorium at least three times this year. “People come here from all over—not just Ansan but also Siheung, Incheon, and Suwon,” he said. “Seeing someone holding their dog, crying their eyes out as they arrive at this remote place, it breaks my heart. I had no idea it was operating illegally.”

Ansan City’s Agricultural Policy Officer Kang Jun-muk explained, “This crematorium was reported to the police for illegal operations as recently as February 8 of this year, and the case has been referred to the prosecution. There have been multiple reports in the past, but new owners continue to take over the business and keep it running for years.”

According to Kang, administrative actions like suspension of business are not possible since the crematorium is not officially registered. Under current law, penalties are limited to fines of up to 5 million KRW (approximately $3,700)

Illegal pet cremation services like this one are not uncommon. Last June, 32-year-old Lee Mo said goodbye to her pet cat and sought cremation services through a company she found via a search engine. The company claimed to be affiliated with licensed operators.

When Lee asked about additional charges for VAT and transportation, the operator became hostile, swearing at her for caring about money at such a time. Later, she discovered that the company had connected her to an unlicensed cremation facility.

As of 2022, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs reported that 25.4% of households owned pets, amounting to an estimated 13.06 million people. Despite this, the country has only 55 officially licensed pet cremation facilities—30 of which are in Gyeonggi Province. Seoul has none.

Illegal operators often lure grieving pet owners with promises like “cremation and funeral services available anywhere nationwide.” Many claim partnerships with legitimate businesses but ultimately direct customers to unlicensed facilities.

In one case, this reporter called a company advertising multiple branches across the country and asked about cremation services near Seoul. The operator directed me to a location in Siheung, supposedly capable of providing cremation and storage services. However, a check on the official e-Animal Funeral Portal revealed no licensed operators in Siheung.

Using an unlicensed facility comes with risks. Without adherence to hygiene standards, consumers may be exposed to contaminants. There’s also the possibility of ashes being mixed or lost. Moreover, without a formal “funeral certificate,” issued only by licensed operators, owners cannot officially deregister their pets. South Korean law mandates the deregistration of deceased pets within 30 days, with a fine of up to 500,000 KRW for non-compliance.

While recent amendments to the Animal Protection Act have increased penalties for unlicensed pet cremation services—up to two years in prison or a fine of 20 million KRW—the issue persists. Loopholes in the law allow illegal operators to claim affiliations with legitimate businesses without facing consequences.

As the demand for dignified pet aftercare grows, so too must oversight and enforcement. For grieving pet owners, the final farewell should not be overshadowed by questions of legality or integrity.

Originally Published in http://www.storyofseoul.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=10332