It’s an awful decision to make and my mantra is a ‘day too soon, is better than an hour too late’. We buried the cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and goldfish in the garden and I think the vet charged £175 to come to the house to euthanize the cats.
A couple of the dogs were buried, but as it was such hard work for DH, we started to have them cremated at the local Pet Crematorium. Depending on the circumstances of their deaths, either the vet sent their remains there (guaranteed our dogs!) or on 2 separate occasions we took them. I think it was about £200 per pet (17kg spaniels) then we collected their ashes from the Crem, in the cheapest container (not the wooden casket with name plate) and scattered their ashes over where the others are buried. £500 should cover a home visit and cremation.
Our dogs weren’t insured, as we had too many, but I believe some policies cover euthanasia.