Furry farewells for four-legged pals

A columbarium at Pet Forest, a funeral service for pets, in Gwangju, a Seoul suburb. Dogs have become pampered family members in South Korea, which has the world’s lowest birth rate and where much of the population lives alone. — ©2024 The New York Times Company

THE deceased lay wrapped in a soft cotton blanket, surrounded by white roses, hydrangea, angelic figurines and the warm glow of candles and incense. A screen displayed heartwarming photos of a life once lived.

The scene might resemble a traditional human funeral, but this emotional ritual was for a white poodle named Dalkong.