Cremation by Water
Aquamation
(Alkaline hydrolysis)
Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, is an alternative to flame cremation that uses water, heat, and an alkaline solution to return the body to its natural elements. It’s gaining attention as a gentler, more environmentally conscious option, and it’s legal in a growing number of U.S. states.
This page explains how aquamation works, where it’s allowed, and what families should know before choosing it.
What Is It, Exactly?
Aquamation is a process that uses warm water and an alkaline solution (usually potassium hydroxide) to accelerate the natural decomposition that occurs in burial. Over several hours, soft tissues break down, leaving clean bone remains. Those bones are then dried and processed into a fine powder, similar in appearance to cremated remains.
How Does it Differ from Traditional Cremation?
The end result—returned remains for the family—is similar, but the process is different. Aquamation uses water instead of fire, operates at lower temperatures, and produces significantly fewer emissions. It also avoids burning fossil fuels and releases no mercury into the air, which can occur with flame cremation due to dental fillings.
Is it Environmentally Friendly?
Generally, yes. Aquamation uses less energy than flame cremation and produces fewer greenhouse gases. The remaining liquid is sterile and safely returned to the water system under regulated conditions. For people concerned about environmental impact, aquamation is often considered one of the lowest-impact body disposition options currently available.
Is Aquamation Legal Everywhere?
No. Aquamation is legal in many states, prohibited in some, and unregulated or pending approval in others. Laws continue to change. Availability also depends on whether local providers have invested in the equipment. Always check state and local regulations and confirm availability with providers in your area.
How Do You Receive the Remains, and What is the Cost?
Families receive remains similar to cremated ashes, which can be kept, buried, scattered, or memorialized in the same ways as cremation. Costs vary by location and provider but are often comparable to or slightly higher than flame cremation, depending on availability and local market factors.