Aquamation, or alkali hydrolysis, is a process that breaks down the body using a solution of potassium hydroxide and water. The body is then reduced to its component parts: protein, DNA, carbohydrates, and lipids. These parts are then recycled into new products. In theory, this could be an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial. So how does it work? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Aquamation?

Aquamation is a more environmentally-friendly way to cremate someone. With aquamation, the body is dissolved in water over a period of several hours. All that is left behind are the bones, which can be given back to the family or scattered according to the deceased’s wishes.

Aquamation is a new technology that is becoming more popular. It is environmentally friendly and efficient because it uses only water and gentle heat. This means that it does not emit any harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Is Aquamation the future of cremation?

Aquamation is a newer, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. Aquamation uses water instead of fire to break down the body, and the process is said to be just as effective as cremation. There are many benefits to choosing aquamation over cremation, including that it is more energy efficient and produces less pollution. While aquamation may not be right for everyone, it is definitely a process worth considering if you are looking for a more environmentally friendly option for dealing with your loved one’s remains.

What are the benefits of using aquamation instead of cremation or burial?

There are a number of benefits to using aquamation (aka. water cremation, flameless cremation, or bio-cremation) instead of traditional burial or cremation methods.

Aquamation is a much more environmentally friendly option than either burial or cremation. When you are buried, the body decomposes and emits methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Cremation also releases harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Aquamation uses far less energy than cremation and produces zero greenhouse gasses.
Aquamation is also much more hygienic than traditional burial methods. There is no risk of leaks or spills of body fluids, and the process completely sanitizes the remains.

Why do you think more people aren’t aware of aquamation as an option for funerals?

There are a few reasons why more people aren’t aware of aquamation as an option for funeral services. First, the funeral industry is highly competitive and many funeral homes are hesitant to promote a service that could potentially divert business from their own services. Second, there is still some skepticism around aquamation as a technology, and many people are not familiar with it. Finally, the cost of aquamation services can be significantly higher than traditional burial or cremation services, so it may be less appealing to families who are on a tight budget.

What Exactly is Aquamation, and How Does it Work?

Aquamation is a water-based alternative to cremation services. Rather than using fire to break down, the bodily remains, aquamation services near Wilmington, NC, utilize an alkaline solution to break down the body in a natural way, but at an accelerated rate. After the process is finished, the family of the deceased will receive their loved one’s remains in the form of bone ashes, just like with cremation. Here are some of the main points of how aquamation works and what it is.

As previously stated, aquamation works by using a water and alkaline solution, a process known as alkaline hydrolysis. The person’s bodily remains are placed into a chamber, which is then sealed. It is filled with the alkali solution and gently heated as the solution circulates through the chamber. This process slowly breaks down the bodily remains, in a gentle and natural way. After the process has been completed, the alkaline solution has been fully used up. All that remains in the water are harmless sugars, amino acids, peptides, and soaps. Because these substances are harmless, there is no need to dispose of this solution in an unusual way. If the deceased had any mercury amalgams, these are removed and disposed of properly. If they had any kind of medical hardware, such as a pacemaker, these are removed prior to the aquamation process and recycled.

After the process is completed, all that is left are the skeletal remains. These are processed into bone ash, and given back to the family in a temporary urn. This is very similar to what happens with cremation, although the number of ashes may be slightly more than you would get with cremation. Many people will either store their loved one’s ashes in an urn in their home, have them buried or interred at a cemetery, or will scatter them in a special place. As you can see, apart from the actual process, aquamation and cremation are quite similar. Aquamation has the added benefit of being more eco-friendly because it does not release the harmful greenhouse gases that cremation does. The byproducts of aquamation are not harmful to the environment at all and can be returned back into the local water system. You can take comfort in knowing that your loved one’s bodily remains were gently and carefully handled and processed. You can also feel at peace knowing that you are not contributing to the harm to our planet and atmosphere.

These are the main points of how aquamation services work. The simple alkaline hydrolysis process mimics how nature would break down the body, but it speeds up the process considerably. You receive the same bone ash remains that you would receive after cremation. You have the freedom to store your loved one’s ashes in your home, at a cemetery, or to scatter them somewhere meaningful. You can also take heart from the fact that you are lowering your and your loved one’s ecological footprint, even after they have passed on. You can contact your local provider of aquamation services near Wilmington, NC, for more information on aquamation, and to make arrangements if necessary.

Aquamation FAQs

How is aquamation carried out?

Aquamation is a gentle, eco-friendly process that dissolves the body using water. The body is placed into a vat of heated water and it will dissolve. The water is then strained and the liberated tissues are rinsed away.
The process of aquamation is similar to cremation, but it is considered more environmentally friendly because no pollutants are created in the process. It also uses less energy than cremation and does not produce any greenhouse gasses.

What happens to the body during aquamation?

The body is put into a bath of lye and water. Lye is a chemical that dissolves the flesh. The bones are left behind. As the flesh is dissolved, gas (mostly methane and hydrogen sulfide) is released. This creates a bubbling effect on the surface of the liquid.

There is no legal standard for aquamation, so it is difficult to know what happens to the body during this process. It is believed that the chemicals used in aquamation break down cell tissue and DNA in a similar way to incineration. This means that there is potential for harmful toxins to be released into the air and environment.

Is aquamation better than cremation?

Yes, aquamation is often seen as a more humane and environmentally-friendly option than cremation. With aquamation, the body is placed into a vat of water and potassium hydroxide (a chemical compound that dissolves organic material). The body is then liquefied and the resulting liquid is discharged down the drain. This process does not release any harmful pollutants into the atmosphere like cremation does.

How long does the aquamation process take?

The time it takes to complete the aquamation process ranges from 6 to 8 hours to 18 to 20 hours. This is based on the equipment’s operating temperature. The process is carried out at a temperature of 150°C to 200°F.