Born from Love, Built for Jacob
The idea for Everpet began quietly in a vet’s office, when founders Rachael Tay and Leon Lim learned their family cat, Jacob, had a fragile heart condition. As veterans of the human funeral industry and advocates of pre-planning, they wanted to plan and ensure they could prepare a dignified farewell for him when the time comes, only to discover that pet funerals lack the dignified rituals and comforting care that they were familiar with in the human funeral industry.
Determined to change that, they travelled abroad to study pet afterlife care and returned convinced that pets deserved the same reverence as any family member. From that conviction, Everpet Pte Ltd was born.
A Challenging Journey to Launch
Creating Everpet was anything but straightforward. The funeral industry carries heavy stigma, and establishing a pet crematorium meant facing both misconceptions and steep regulations. Rachael and Leon viewed more than 60 properties before securing a studio in the East.
Equipment sourcing came with its own hurdles. After visiting numerous manufacturers and rejecting harsh fire-based systems, they chose gentler, and far costlier, aquamation technology. The decision prioritised both pet safety and a humane working environment for their team.
Raising Standards and Shifting Hearts
As Singapore’s first pet funeral celebrant company, Everpet set out to shift the public perception that pet loss is somehow “lesser.” Transitioning from human funerals revealed how underserved the pet sector was, with few standards and grief often dismissed or minimised.
The founders responded by bringing human-funeral-grade protocol into pet aftercare, trained celebrants, transparent processes, and meticulous identification, then softening every element to remain tender, comforting, and pet-centred.
Rituals and Principles That Heal
Everpet’s ceremonies feel like love letters in motion. Families are guided through final farewells with personalised messages, soothing music, and themes such as Crossing the Rainbow Bridge or Starry Night. These moments are designed not as procedures, but as spaces to hold a grieving heart.
From Rachael’s multi-generational roots at Casket Fairprice, Everpet inherited three unwavering principles:
- Dignity is non-negotiable — gentle handling, flawless identification, and religious rites upon request.
- Protect the feelings of the living — move slowly, explain clearly, prevent regrets.
- Emotional accompaniment is essential — grief must be acknowledged, honoured, and supported.
The Ever Circle: Lifelong Companionship
Through workshops and the Ever Circle community, Everpet continues supporting families long after farewell. Grief can linger for years, yet society often pressures people to “move on.” The Ever Circle offers a judgment-free space where families can share stories, connect, and heal at their own pace. By being part of The Ever Circle, members are also given access to grief workshops and support groups hosted by Everpet.
Many assume pet aftercare planning is “too early” or “morbid,” but loss often arrives without warning. Pre-planning reduces chaos and allows families to be fully present in their pet’s final moments, often deepening their appreciation of the time they still have.
Trials, Belief, and a Grandmother’s Goodbye
Everpet’s journey was filled with setbacks: 60 rejected units, harsh commentary, and even a dream location revoked mid-approval. What carried them through was their conviction that Singapore’s pet parents deserved better, and the steadfast support of loved ones.
One recent ceremony affirmed that mission. An 80-year-old grandmother came to say goodbye to her dog of 16 years. Moved by Everpet’s serenity, her grief softened when she received his ashes wrapped gently in his own batik blanket. At that moment, Rachael and Leon knew every struggle had been worthwhile.
Advice from Everpet for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Rachael Tay and Leon Lim
Founders of Everpet