What is Water Cremation AKA Aquamation?
Aquamation is a method of final disposition that is available for our loved ones. The scientific name for this water-based process is Alkaline Hydrolysis. It is the same process that occurs as part of nature’s course when a body is laid to rest in the soil. A combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity are used to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials.
Why is Aquamation considered eco-friendly?
With Aquamation, there are no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases or mercury to the atmosphere. This process does not burn any fossil fuels. It is very energy efficient – greater than 90% energy savings compared to flame cremation, with 1/10th of the carbon footprint.
How long does the Aquamation process take?
The process takes 6-8 hours, or 18-20 hours depending on the operating temperature of the equipment. The 6-8 hour process takes place at 300°F, and the 18-20 hour process takes place at 200°F. A flame cremation, for comparison, takes 1-3 hours and takes place at 1600-1800°F.
What actually happens with Aquamation?
The Aquamation process is performed after any viewing or visitation services the family wishes to have. When it’s time for the process, the individual body is respectfully placed in a stainless steel vessel. 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. These minerals are processed into powder and returned to the family in an urn. This final processing step is the same process that is followed with flame cremation. Many families hold a celebration of life or gathering when the loved one’s remains are returned to the family’s care.
What can be done with the Aquamated Remains?
Absolutely anything that can be done with cremated remains can be done with Aquamation remains. Some families bury the urn in a cemetery, or permanently inter the urn in a columbarium. There are numerous memorial products that can be made with the ashes – parting stones, hand blown glass memorials, ceramic art pieces, man-made diamonds, memorial plantings for your garden, and many more. Many families choose to scatter some or all of the remains in a special place.
Are Aquamation Remains different from Cremated Remains?
The cremated remains from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, along with some ash from the cremation box or casket, clothing, and anything else that may have been placed in the process with the body. The Aquamated remains from Aquamation are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the remains.
The color of remains from a flame process is typically gray in color, from the carbon discoloration from burning. The color of remains from Aquamation is anywhere from white to a tan color. With both processes, there can be slight variations in color from individual to individual.
The consistency of the remains is also different.
The remains from flame cremation can be described as “chippy” bone fragments. The remains from Aquamation is a homogenous (consistent) powder. With Aquamation, there is 20-30% more remains returned to the family.
Information written and provided by: Bio Response Solutions Inc. https://aquamationinfo.com/
For answers to more questions about Aquamation visit https://aquamationinfo.com/faq/