Aquamation is a process that has fairly recently come into mainstream usage as a method of disposition. You might normally think of burial or cremation as traditional means of disposition, but aquamation services near Jacksonville, NC, are a more eco-friendly, gentle alternative. While the processes of cremation vs aquamation are quite different, the end result is the same. You will receive back your loved one’s remains in the form of bone ashes, held inside a temporary urn.

So how do the processes of cremation and aquamation differ from each other? While their goal is ultimately the same, the processes are quite different. With cremation, as you likely know, the disposition of the bodily remains is achieved with high temperatures and fire, taking place inside a crematory. This has been a commonly used method of disposition for generations, and there has actually been a surge in popularity of use in recent years.

Aquamation, on the other hand, is a water-based method. It uses gentle heat and an alkaline solution to break down the bodily remains in a natural way. The process is similar to what would happen in a natural setting, but it occurs at a much faster rate, taking on average several hours. In the end, all that remains are bones, which are then processed into bone ash, similar to with cremation.

You might be wondering what the advantages are to choosing aquamation over cremation. One of the biggest things is the difference in their ecological footprints. Cremation requires high levels of heat and combustion, which release harmful greenhouse gases into the air. It can also release toxic mercury vapors in the air from things like dental amalgams. While it may not be as environmentally harmful as traditional burial can be, cremation definitely makes an impact on the atmosphere. Aquamation, on the other hand, is a nearly completely eco-friendly process. It uses a water-based alkaline solution to naturally break down the bodily remains, requiring gentle movement and heat to assist the chemical process. After it’s done, all that remains in the water are natural substances like sugars, aminos acids, and other similar things which cause no harm to the local water system. Any harmful substances like mercury amalgams are left behind and properly disposed of. If the person had any kind of hardware inside them, like a pacemaker, then these are removed and recycled. As you can see, aquamation is the best option you have if you’re interested in choosing an eco-friendly process for disposition.

Cremation and aquamation may have similar sounding names and their end results may be the same, but their processes couldn’t be more different. In this day and age, more people are trying to make responsible choices when it comes to how they are taking care of the planet. Choosing aquamation services near Jacksonville, NC, is one of the most eco-friendly options out there when it comes to disposition. If you find yourself in the position of having to make a loved one’s final arrangements, or if you are planning ahead for your own, consider choosing aquamation. You can take comfort in the fact that your choice will help take care of the earth for future generations.