Pet memorial products are increasingly popular in China during Qingming, the annual tomb-sweeping festival, as more pet owners honor cats and dogs they consider family members [1]. Sales of pet memorial goods rose sharply on Taobao, with transactions up 160% year over year [1].
The market includes paper memorial items such as paper food, clothing, and shelters designed as tributes to pets [1]. Customized keepsakes and AI-powered services, including hologram memorial boxes introduced last year by an online seller surnamed Yin, rank among the fastest-growing products in this category [1]. One online buyer expressed a desire for a pet to "come back," underlining the emotional connection behind the trend [1].
This growing interest is part of a broader expansion of China’s pet economy. The urban dog and cat consumer market reached 312.6 billion yuan ($45.4 billion) in 2025 and is projected to exceed 400 billion yuan by 2028 [1]. Funeral packages for dogs or cats, including grand packages priced at 239.8 yuan, are also available, reflecting more formalized pet bereavement options [1].
The Qingming festival, traditionally a time to honor deceased ancestors, is now seeing expanded practices that include pets, marking a shift in cultural remembrance activities in China [1].