Toronto's first pet funeral home offers unique way to say goodbye

On top of the agonizing, can't-eat, can't-sleep grief that comes with losing a beloved pet, trying to navigate the next steps only deepens the sorrow. A newly opened pet funeral home, the first in Toronto, hopes to guide owners through their final goodbyes.

At 115 Berkeley St. in Moss Park is where you can find Tails Farewell's newest location – second to the one they first opened in Markham back in September 2024. 

Co-owner Jason Lau tells blogTO that the Markham space only has one memorial room, which limits the number of families they can serve. Now, with their new downtown location, they have more rooms to accommodate more people planning pet funerals.

So far, Lau says, Tails Farewell has supported more than 500 pet families, including a virtual memorial for a 2-year-old python and a funeral for an 80-year-old woman's bunny, who we're certain lived a hoppy life. 

"Our goal is to create a warm and peaceful environment so families, especially children, feel that death does not have to be cold or frightening," says Lau, adding that as a Hongkonger, the practice of honouring deceased pets is more customary. It's one of the reasons he wanted to bring this Asian tradition over to Toronto. 

One of the unique services Tails Farewell offers is something called pet aquamation. Lau explains that it's a process using water and alkaline to simulate the bio-decomposition that happens in a burial. 

"It uses 90 per cent less energy and produces zero harmful emissions. And, you actually get 20 per cent more ashes than with cremation," he says.

For Tails Farewell, the current challenge is getting Toronto folks aware of what aquamation is in the first place. 

"Once families learn what it is, they often appreciate that it's a greener and gentler alternative to cremation. Part of our work is educating pet owners so they know they have this option," says Lau.

Jason Lau, left, with co-owner Jing Huang

While paying for a pet funeral can seem a tad frivolous in today's economic climate, Lau remains dedicated to price transparency and offering various package options starting at $149. 

"We've even had clients tell us after the service that our prices felt too low for the level of care they received, which is a very meaningful compliment."

No one wants to remotely think about their beloved Brucey or Bella dying, but when that time comes – and it will, it's as unavoidable as our taxes  – at least there's a place to go when they cross that rainbow bridge. 

As of Dec. 5, Tails Farewell is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday. 

Tails Farewell is located at 115 Berkeley St.