As someone who feels empathy for objects (I still feel sad for junked cars thanks to Brave Little Toaster), I love that these broken robo-friends are given a respectful goodbye.
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I could be wrong, but it’s my understanding that in Japanese traditions there’s the concept of saying farewell to objects that were meaningful or useful in some way. There’s ningyo-kuyo, dolls funerals, and hari-kuyo: Hari-Kuyō - Wikipedia
I also remember seeing articles about Tamagotchi funerals even in Western countries: A Very 90s Death: The Tamagotchi Cemetery – Burials & Beyond
It makes sense to me that there would be funerals for AIBOs, they seem like a big source of comfort for lonely, elderly people and it’s not like it’s unprecedented, based on the above. I think it’s a very human thing to feel empathy and love. (This is unlike AI “friendships” that really try to seem something than what they are and sound way more exploitative of vulnerable people.)
And I totally get what you mean about inanimate objects! Media about discarded toys/objects is always weirdly sad to me.
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I joined a discord a long time ago ( haven’t checked in forever ) that was dedicated to info about repairing/reservicing old robot pets like aibos, furbies, etc. I guess the aibos especially had a very long after-life fanclub and that’s where I read about what the article said, about how they helped people service and find parts to keep them going long after the brand abandoned them.
I also read recently about the guy who married Hatsune Miku, the company that serviced his expensive home hologram miku went under around covid, so he lost his miku hologram conversational companion. He had some plushies etc commissioned later I think, and he founded the " General Incorporated Association of Fictosexuality" trying to raise awareness for fictional attraction and companions etc.
I don’t like throwing things away either, I’m currently trying to move and have to pare down, which is hard, as I realize I keep things until they are broken, or try to fix them.
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