When 32-year-old Manimaran Guna first set foot in Singapore, he was not chasing a glamorous career, but an honest paying job. What he found was an unexpected calling to work as a pet mortician.
Working with Mobile Pet Cremation Services for the last seven years, Mr Guna now provides compassionate care to families in their moments of loss.
Growing up in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Mr Guna came from humble beginnings. His family lived in a rented home – his father drove a rental vehicle, while his mother stitched clothes as a tailor to support them.
“There were no good jobs in my hometown, and I needed to support my parents and younger sister. That is why I decided to go overseas,” Mr Guna said.
After finishing his diploma in engineering, Mr Guna worked as a trainee at an automobile company for three years.
His path to his current job as a pet mortician was far from straightforward. Before coming to Singapore, he was scammed by an unscrupulous agent that promised him a job but disappeared after collecting his certificates and resume.
“I felt helpless and betrayed. I thought all my hopes were lost,” Mr Guna recalled.
Despite the setback, through a licensed job agency he heard about from a friend, Mr Guna secured the pet mortician job in Singapore.
“My mother was very apprehensive about me taking that job. She told me to reconsider, especially after paying about 8,000 rupees agent fee. But I was determined to work any job,” Mr Guna said.
He now cremates pets like cats, dogs, guinea pigs, even fish and many other animals, including conducting religious-based ceremonies to honour different faiths.
“This is an emotional job, and it has taught me patience,” Mr Guna said.
The furnace Mr Guna operates reaches temperatures exceeding 1,000 deg C, demanding strict safety protocols and routine maintenance to ensure smooth and efficient operation.
Beyond returning ashes in personalised urns, Mr Guna notes that many pet owners choose to honour their companions in unique ways – such as storing ashes in chain lockets. He also offers paw print services, creating keepsakes from the pet’s paw as a lasting memento.
While Mr Guna quickly grasped both the technical and emotional demands of the job, language proved to be one of his biggest challenges. His limited English made it hard to communicate with pet owners, especially during emotionally charged moments.
“At first, I was nervous speaking with customers. I learned basic English by listening, talking, and messaging customers,” he said.
Operations manager of Mobile Pet Cremation Services Alvin Seah, 52, highlighted that Mr Guna is a rare gem.
“His quiet strength brings peace and assurance to both grieving pet owners and our team. Humble and always eager to learn, he meets every challenge with calm positivity and unwavering dedication. With empathy in his heart and purpose in his hands, he shows us what best efforts and true service truly mean,” Mr Alvin said.
“When I witnessed the whole process of how Mr Guna handled my pet, caressing him and talking to him softly during his paw imprint before sending him into the chamber, my heart felt at ease. I know I have found the right place to send off my little one to a better place,” noted Tricia, a customer of Mr Guna, on Google review.
