mint

sincere question: have you asked a local vet about it?

🫂

if u end up doing something that costs money id be willing to donate to a funeral fund

idk where you are located but typically metro areas will have subsidized low(er) cost end of life programs. normal end of life runs 90+ (communal) or 150+ (individual) and at least in seattle king county (and surrounding counties) offers $50 end of life services but if you register your pet for a license ($15) then it’s free. hopefully there’s something like that nearby you.

i would also be happy to chip in so you can get something with a simple remembrance (like a paw print).

Try your local Humane Society. They are a non-profit so they should be able to waive fees for low income persons, especially for communal cremation (would not be able to get ashes back). I worked at one and in talking to people if anyone ever even seemed hesitant because they potentially couldn't afford our communal cremation fees I'd just waive the fee.

Local animal services run by whatever city you're in may also be another option though some cities animal services only do this for wildlife.

seconding Humane Society: depending on where you are, costs can be waived or can be funded by them or other alternatives can be arranged (the one local to me has a funding option for emergency vet bills and such)

also seconding vets: even if you never went to them, they should know who to contact and what options are available. some are nicer than others can could help figure out money. since talking is hard, would it help to write a script and read it instead of trying to say things spontaneously? can help with that if you wish

also leaving a link here that just so happens to have a pet burial thing on it (https://columbuscommunitydeathcare.com/library). main worries of burying pets is attracting wildlife, disrupting piping and such, and if flooding can disturb the burial.

so sorry about your friend. you are doing all you can to take care of him.