Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ryst Helmut]

Well, for us at least, she was our girl. I post this in hopes that the information that follows may help others when they go through such a loss of a loved and loving pet�

So she died and we were left with �what do we do with her body?� We weren�t sure of Korean laws and were told by the university vet hospital that we cannot bury her ourselves (we�re not sure <still> if they meant like �on the side of the road� or anywhere). We have land here, and unfortunately, it will soon all be under construction�so that option is out.

We could just put her in the trash. I. Don�t. Think. So!

Surprisingly enough Korea does have cremation centres for pets...and so we chose this avenue.

Still reeling in shock from our loss one of the doctors did a Naver search for us and came up with 2 places that were �close.� The hospital said that they could call someone to pick up our girl and deliver her to the site OR we could take her ourselves.

After not eating for 24 hours, little sleep, and mentally and emotionally drained from crying the whole day and night we were considering the former option UNTIL the tech/vet strongly urged us to take her ourselves as he is not sure that she would be cared for �appropriately.�

This in so many ways was such a good thing (especially now as we think back on the decision to go).

For us this experience helped us for many reasons. We had, for example, more time with her. The preparation for cremation was quite cathartic as there were some �rituals� that helped us say goodbye.

First, the caretaker unwrapped her and cleaned her (same way Koreans do for humans�more or less). It was at this point that we got to see/touch her for the last time�a final goodbye of sorts.

Then she was wrapped in cloth and white paper, and then placed in her box. We were then given cotton sheets (like cotton balls�but in sheet form) and proceeded to shred the cotton into small pieces. This ritual symbolized the hope we have for her to have clouds to walk on as she ascends to heaven.

We then were given a card for us to express our love for her (which was placed in the box for her to take with her).

In similar fashion Koreans do for Koreans, she went to an alter where we had time to say goodbye and pray for her�.and we burned her �name paper� and blew out her candles.

The experience, though by far has not stopped the pain, was most assuredly a nice tool in the grieving process as it allows us to know that we took care of her to the end-end.

One last thing�you have the option of keeping your beloved�s remains in either bone or ash (crushed bone) form. If you wish to keep the remains �forever� bone is better, however, you can keep ashes dry by putting charcoal sticks in between the porcelain jar and box, as well as airing the jar out on sunny days.




Some additional info:

According to the vet hospital the place we went to (probably) was the only place that offered these services. Most others are drop off and straight to the furnace, so you may want to do some research about the place(s) near you.

If you plan on cremating your pet and are going yourself I suggest figuring out how to get to the nearest one beforehand�this place we went to would have been impossible to find had we not had a navigation system. On the drive back wife and I commented on how nice it was not to have the added stress of getting lost while emotionally and mentally drained.

The people we went to, and I�ll assume all others do too, offer their service 24/7. However, they told us that an arrival after midnight would require a reservation (to ensure somebody would be there).
If you can supply them with a photo (digital is ok) of your pet they will print it out as part of the funeral portion of the evening and you will later on write whatever you want (I marked good memories) on the blank section below the photo. The picture will then go on the wall with the others.�

If you wish to search for pet crematoriums in your area, you can type �애견장례�at www.naver.com. My wife did a quick search (while I typed this out) to see other companies� services. It seems that there are several options�.everything from them coming to your home and cremating your pet there, to picking you and yours up, and even making an �angel stone� from the bones.

The place we went to is this place: http://www.kangaji.net and are happy with the decision.

sh,

Ryst

[Bondgirl]

Hey, I am really sorry to hear you lost your dog. It's a tough time, so I am glad you found a nice service to take care of her.
Kia Kaha.

[VanIslander]

Just go out to a forested hill and dig a hole, whatever the law says. Make a trip of it, even if "inconvenient", after all, the deceased is worth it, the time you take to invest in the funeral ritual of doing the burial oneself, therapeutic. Plant some seeds in the soil. Say your goodbyes.

Cremation is for the urban lazy.

(Though the considerate tone of your story almost suggests otherwise)

[neandergirl]

Condolences on your loss. I'd probably have just dug a hole in the hills outside - early in the morning so as not to be seen. There's a bajillion people buried there so I'd guess the chances of disturbances would be low too, but it's good to hear there's another option.

[RACETRAITOR]

Thanks for the information. I was wondering what happened.

I didn't laugh at the soup joke, but I did laugh at the cat named 찌개.

[Woland]

My sympathies are with you.

A friend of mine also found cremation the best option when her dog died recently. She, too, was helped in this by someone at the vet's. Her place didn't provide the service that yours did, but was a comfort to her anyway.

You may want to publicize the location and contact info of this place on the animal sticky in Buy, Sell, Trade, to make it permanently available to people.

[Dr. Buck]

I'm sure the pooch was a fine friend and the loss is hard. I'm sure you're looking at certain places around the house where he used to lounge about, expecting to see him there. My condolences. The loss of a good dog is a tough one.



And as for widespread123, he is a fine example of the low-rent losers that wash into Korea and upon this message board. He was trying to be funny, but he failed. The kind of guy that people smile politely at and then avoid for the rest of their lives.

[Harpeau]

I'm so sorry for your loss. An animal companion truly is a member of one's family. Thanks for the information. All the best.

[HapKi]

I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved.

Was it a dog? I didn't read that anywhere. I barely caught it was a pet.

[Bramble]

I'm sorry about your baby, Ryst. Was she old, or did she die prematurely because of an illness or accident? Either way I'm sure it's terrible for you.

I think cremation is a better option than burying her on someone else's land where some other animal might dig her up, or where the grave might eventually be disturbed by a new housing development.

[cdninkorea]

I want to extend my sympathies to you, OP. I've been there and I know it hurts.

[twg]

best wishes, Ryst

[Boodleheimer]

sorry to hear about your pet.

edit: and i'm amazed how much care that facility puts into the preparation of the body and all.

[jjurabong]

Ryst,

So sorry for your loss...and thank you for the information.

I'll be sending happy thoughts your way...

[Zyzyfer]

Really sorry to hear that, bro. I had just seen the critter a few weekends ago. Take care...