Updated July 23
written by a person, not a computer
5 minute read
Water Cremation. Aquamation. Alkaline Hydrolysis.
These are all names for a fresh and growing trend in the world of pet funerals, a new process by which the body of your four legged family is transformed into remains using a water based solution. To fully understand this new option in some places, we need a brief science review, and some historical context.
First the science review. The pH scale measures the potency of acids and bases, from 0-14. Lemon juice and vinegar have ratings of 2 and 3 on the scale; we call them acids or if mixed/diluted with water, an acidic solution. Fresh water is neutral at 7. Bases are 7-14, with soap and bleach on that list near the 12 and 13 mark. When a base is mixed/diluted with water we call that mixture an alkali solution, or caustic. In low concentrations an alkali/caustic solution removes oils from your body and clothing, in high concentrations alkali solutions dissolve flesh rapidly.
Second, some historical context. Well over 100 years ago people knew that ground bones were valuable as fertilizer, but a challenge to get to. Using something strongly alkali, like lye or potash, was an efficient way to get rid of all the pesky flesh in dead livestock (and sometimes people) on route to turning all those bones into fresh bread, literally. (Listen to the superb Gastropod Podcast for more detail)
While the basics of removing proteins and fats from bones has been around a while, it wasn’t until the mid 1990’s that this technology really progressed and became a viable new option in the funeral industry for both people and pets.
Originally called a “tissue digester” which is terrible marketing, it was used for turning the bodies of humans and lab animals exposed to dangerous chemicals or radioactivity, into inert basic compounds relatively quickly and safely. Now called aquamation, water cremation, or the technical “alkaline hydrolysis”, it’s the same process, rebranded to sound friendlier.
What is water cremation? A friendly marketing version sounds like this.
“In water cremation remains are dissolved in a solution that is 95% water, 5% alkali. Pieces of larger bone remain and are ground into a fine white powder. The liquid that remains contains only basic molecules and is safe to go down a regular drain.”
A version that is more complete sounds like this.
“In water cremation remains are dissolved in a solution that is 95% water and 5% industrial alkali. The remains are sealed in a stainless steel vessel, frequently pressurized, heated from 200-300 degrees, and agitated. Over 2-16 hours, depending on several factors, everything that isn’t bone is dissolved. What remains are demineralized bones, usually the larger ones, which have to be dried, before being ground into a fine white powder.”
This more complete version reveals that the process works like a pressure cooker. But does that rule it out as an option? Certainly not. While the process itself isn’t dramatically friendlier than having remains incinerated in a furnace, there may still be several reasons to make this choice.
The major reasons are environmental. First, alkaline hydrolysis uses far less energy, up to 90% less according to some estimates. Unless completely solar powered, it still uses fossil fuels, but far fewer of them.
The second is also emissions related, but a different sort. During traditional cremation, the remains of any medications your pet took are released into the atmosphere, along with any chemotherapy if cancer played a part in your pet’s life. Also, all of us have small amounts of heavy metals in our bones, including lead and mercury. Those go up in smoke too. For aquamation, ex medications are denatured, and heavy metals go down the drain to be processed out by wastewater treatment, rather than into the air.
Water cremation produces marginally more remains than traditional cremation, estimates are 10-30% more. If many people are dividing up the remains this could be beneficial. Also, the remains are a more pleasing color and texture, a fine white soft powder. Traditional cremation provides people with small, albeit real bone fragments that vary in the white/gray/black range.
Costs of Water Cremation
This is relatively new technology and there are significant startup costs. While a water cremation business may need a bit less square footage, can skip the gas lines and extensive ventilation that a traditional crematory needs, they still may need several, very expensive alkaline hydrolysis machines. Of course this technology is patented and these machines can cost north of 200K, making a 75K cremation furnace look positively reasonable by comparison. They do use dramatically less energy, but still have similar labor costs. At the moment, the two styles of cremation cost about the same. Over time, I would expect the cost to come down. If a family is selecting water cremation, it is likely due to the reduced environmental impact, not because it’s distinctly less expensive.
While not a direct cost, there are regulatory issues with alkaline hydrolysis, especially about the drain. Think for a moment about what goes down the drain in a typical household. Soap and dirt for sure, but also medications, bits of plastic, toxic chemicals, and whatever is in the toilet. What is left over from water cremation is distinctly less toxic, but seems far more gross in the mind of the typical person. And typical persons make the rules in most places.
Water Cremation Near Me?
Another regulatory issue is legality, but not in a typical way. Sometimes when a new technology comes around, it rises in popularity so rapidly that governments, organizations, and lawmakers can't or don’t keep up. At the moment the role of facial recognition, certain social media apps, and artificial intelligence are in this category. With water cremation, some states have allowed people to open businesses, only later to shut them down. Typically after debate and review they are allowed to continue. That kind of process gives small business owners heart palpitations. Only one state has declared aquamation illegal as of 2023 (New Hampshire), 28 have declared it legal, and 22 don’t have a policy yet. So if you don’t see it in your state, chances are that there is a lack of policy in your location, not a declaration of illegality. Standard crematories can claim that water cremation “isn’t legal” in some places, which is technically correct but highly misleading.
Occasionally you may see an overeager marketer describe this process as “natural”, it isn’t. What is natural is for the microbes inside the deceased, and outside in the soil to decompose the body over the course of time. Another claim is that water cremation is the “most environmentally friendly way”. This is only true if burial isn’t an option in your area. You can link to this page if you need more information about burying your pet at home.
It is likely that sooner or later, water cremation will be an option in your area. Though it isn’t my hope, one day you will be making funeral choices for someone, whether they have 2 legs, or 4. When that time comes, I hope you're in a position to make an informed choice about what’s right for your family at that time.
written by Peter of Pawsitive Memorials, I"m sorry for your loss.
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