How to choose a service provider for the final farewell with your beloved pet? Experienced owners share the key points they prioritized when choosing a funeral/cremation company

■ How to decide on a pet's funeral and cremation? The reality of how 400 experienced people chose

Pets are important members of the family.

Because of that, when the time comes to say goodbye, it is not uncommon for people to be confused about 'how should I see them off.'

There is not just one method for funerals and cremation, and because options are increasing, hesitation also arises. Whether you have information beforehand or not will likely change whether you can have a farewell with few regrets.

Therefore, this time, in collaboration with 'Japan Animal Memorial', a pet cremation and funeral service in Tokyo, we conducted a questionnaire on 'how to choose a pet's funeral and cremation' targeting 400 men and women nationwide who answered 'have experience losing a pet' in a preliminary survey.

* When quoting the contents of this press release, please take the following actions:

- Mention that the source is a 'Survey by NEXER Inc. and Japan Animal Memorial'

- Provide a link to Japan Animal Memorial (https://j-d-m.jp/)

'Questionnaire regarding how to choose a pet's funeral and cremation' Survey Overview

Survey Method: Internet questionnaire

Survey Period: February 13 - February 27, 2026

Survey Target: Men and women nationwide who answered 'have experience losing a pet' in a preliminary survey

Valid Responses: 400 samples

Question Contents:

Question 1: When your pet passed away, how did you decide on the method of funeral/cremation?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason for that.

Question 3: What was the important point when choosing a funeral/cremation company?

Question 4: Please tell us the reason for that.

Question 5: Did you compare multiple companies?

Question 6: How did you compare them? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 7: What was the deciding factor as a result of comparison and consideration?

* As a general rule, numbers are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not be exactly 100%.

■ 40.0% answered 'Decided by discussing with family'

First, we asked how they decided on the method of funeral and cremation when their pet passed away.

The most common response was 'Decided by discussing with family' at 40.0%.

This was followed by 'Searched and investigated on the internet myself' at 17.5%, and 'Requested to the local government' at 8.3%.

Since pets are precious to the whole family, it seems that discussing among family members first is the most common case. On the other hand, a certain number of people use internet searches, indicating that methods of gathering information are diversifying.

We asked about the reasons for each answer, and here are some of them.

Those who answered 'Decided by discussing with family'

- Because it's a family matter, we discussed it as a family. (Female, 20s)
- When the pet passed away, I was still young, and my parents had the decision-making power. (Male, 20s)
- Since we kept it as a family, I thought it was logical to consult with everyone. (Female, 30s)

Those who answered 'Requested to the local government'

- It was my first pet funeral, so I decided to look up information online. (Male, 20s)
- Because I didn't know which funeral parlors were nearby. (Male, 30s)
- I knew there were pet graves, and I wanted to check it out. (Male, 40s)

Those who answered 'Searched and investigated on the internet myself'

- Because when I purchased the pet at the pet shop, I was told to contact the local government if the pet passes away. (Male, 40s)
- To keep expenses and burdens down. (Female, 40s)
- Because that was what came to mind. (Male, 50s)

Among those who decided by discussing with family, there were noticeable voices mentioning the desire 'to send them off in a way that everyone in the family could agree on.' Also, those who searched on the internet expressed a pressing motive: 'It was the first time, and I didn't know what to do.'

Faced with a sudden parting with a pet, it seems not uncommon to be forced to make decisions without the luxury of calmly gathering information.

■ 19.3% prioritized 'Location/Access'

Next, we asked about the points prioritized when choosing a funeral/cremation company.

The most common response was 'Location/Access' at 19.3%. This was followed by 'Price' at 12.3%, and 'Cremation method (Individual cremation, joint cremation, etc.)' at 10.3%.

We asked about the reasons for each answer, and here are some of them.

Those who answered 'Location/Access'

- I wanted to see them off in as clean a state as possible, so I was looking for a nearby place. (Female, 30s)
- Because closer places are more convenient. (Male, 50s)
- Considering the interment of ashes, I felt it had to be nearby. (Female, 50s)

Those who answered 'Price'

- Because it makes me anxious if it's too expensive or too cheap. (Female, 50s)
- Anyway, I had no money, so I chose the cheaper one.