What is "Aquamation"?

In previous posts I wrote about alternatives to traditional burial or cremation, including “Green Burial” and “Natural Organic Reduction.” There is another choice that is not as widely known but is also garnering attention—“Aquamation” (also known as “Alkaline Hydrolysis”).

Basically, aquamation is the process of transforming an individual’s body into a powder-like substance that is similar to cremated ashes using an alkaline water solution rather than flame cremation.
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How does it work?
The body is placed into either a stainless steel vessel or a shroud, depending on the process the facility uses. A heated alkaline-water solution is added. The body gradually liquifies and the bones are transformed into ash (similar to cremation). The process can take from six hours or more to complete. The ashes are returned to the family.

How is it more environmentally friendly?
It does not use fossil fuels and it uses less energy than traditional cremation.

What about the cost?
Aquamation usually costs about half as much as traditional burial, but it may be slightly more expensive than traditional cremation. It may range from approximately two to three thousand dollars.

As with all the other “green” options, the cost may vary depending on additional services requested, such as a funeral service or multiple copies of the death certificate, plus taxes and fees, etc.
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Is this option available in Washington State?
Yes, Washington is one of nearly half the states in the U.S. that have approved this green alternative. In the Seattle area, Bonney Watson Funeral Home offers aquamation and their website features an excellent detailed explanation of the process (click HERE).

If your spouse did not have a chance to express their personal wishes, I hope that this post and my recent posts on Green Burial and Natural Organic Reduction might help in making the difficult choice between traditional burial/cremation options and alternative green options. 

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