When my friend lost her dog of many years, she had her cremated and had a family member make a wooden box for the ashes. They finished it with polyurathene (spelling?), sealing it closed with that and put layers and layers on it so it would never ruin, even if left in water. She is going to be buried with her sweet dogs remains in the casket with her. This was one of those one in a million dogs that she raised from a puppy and that dog was smart as a whip! Saved her life a few times too, so when she died of cancer, she could not part with her, even in death so she still has her with her in that box and will take her to the grave with her. That was a WONDERFUL companion, a faithful friend and a life saver for my friend for the years she had her with her. We were all brokenhearted that she went to Rainbow Bridge. That was the first dog I ever cried over.