Regarding cremation, I had Jesse, my deceased ferret, cremated.  A
Rockville, Maryland grooming/boarding facility does this for $40, which
includes a lovely little container and a $5 donation to HSUS in the name
of the deceased.  They do not do one animal at a time, and I don't believe
they pick up.  The shop is called Rockville Pet Hotel.
 
I keep Jesse on my piano.  Unknowing friends are always picking up the
container and trying to open it (the stone bowl is glued shut).  Watching
their faces as I explain that they're trying to open Jesse's urn is always
a hoot.  Another perk -- I get to do the "This could be you!" routine with
my current pack of ferrets when they're bad. :-)
 
Lynn Burroughs
Fairfax, Virginia
[Posted in FML issue 2624]