What is Aquamation?

 What is Aquamation?





Aquamation is a gentle, water-based alternative to flame-based cremation. Professionally known as “Alkaline Hydrolysis” and more commonly as “Aquamation” or "Water Cremation"; it is the same process that takes place naturally when a body is laid to rest in the soil. 

A combination of gentle water flow, temperature and alkalinity accelerates the natural breakdown of organic materials with no direct emissions of greenhouse gases or mercury into the atmosphere.

Alkali is added to the process based on individual characteristics (weight, sex, embalming status), and the vessel fills with water. The solution of 95% water and 5% alkali is heated to 200 - 300°F, and gently circulated for the entire length of the process.

At the end of the process, all material is broken down to the smallest building blocks; there is no DNA or RNA remaining. The sterile process water is released for recycling (our bodies are approximately 65% water to begin with), and the vessel performs a fresh water rinse for the equipment and remains. When the operator opens the door, only the inorganic bone minerals remain.  At the end of this process, the inorganic remains of the body (the calcium phosphate of the bones) are the "ashes" that are returned to the family - just as with flame based cremation, though generally with 20-30% more of the remains to be returned. 



Contact us for more information or if you would like us to help plan for your Aquamation.

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