First of all, I just want to tell you how very sorry I am that you are
having to go through something so tramuatic for you during your time of
loss.  Having gone through two cremations in the last month myself I
can understand the grief you are feeling, and certaintly the anger and
confusion at the situation you are in.
 
I am now a vet tech but worked in the family mortuary business and then
later in an animal crematory/ cematary.  I do not mean to upset you or
make things worse by what I am going to tell you about the cremation
process, but it will hopefully help you to understand what you are
looking at.
 
When an animal is cremated it's body is obviously heated to a certain
degree for a set period of time.  After that part is done, the remains
have to be cooled down before the final part begins.  When I say remains,
I mean what is left after the body is burned.  It's mostly larger pieces
of bone that you would see.  Then after that cools all the remains are
put through a machine that grinds down all the pieces of bone and what
you are left with is a rough type of sand.  It is not unsual to see bits
of color in the remains, that is nothing to be alarmed about.  I would
definately have to say as someone with experience in the field that your
ferrets remains were not properly finished before being handed back to
you.  Honestly, never in my life have we ever given clients remains like
that and you have a definate right to be upset.
 
I really did not want to furter upset you.  What I did want to do is make
you aware of what exactly you were seeing and why.  I have no idea why
the hospital that handled this cremation chose to go about it in that
way...It is definately NOT common practice as far as this buisness goes
where I am from to return remains that way and I am truely sorry that you
had to go through any furthrer upset in an already devastating time.
 
If I were you I would question them regarding their cremation policy and
after that I quess it is up to you to either choose to leave your babies
remains that way or have them finish the process into something more
acceptable to you.  Just remember.  no matter what you choose...You will
always have your little one right there beside you for eternity.
 
Please let us know what happened or if you want to please feel free to
email me privately if you have questions or need anything ok?
 
Try and take care of yourself and know that there are lots of people
behind you in this tough time.
 
Sincerely,
Kathy Homan
[Posted in FML issue 4484]