Going Out With a Splash – How Water Cremation Works

Understanding Water-Based Cremation

When families ask me "how do you get cremated by water," I explain that this gentle process—known formally as alkaline hydrolysis but often called aquamation, resomation, or biocremation—offers a peaceful alternative to flame cremation.

The process begins with placing the body in a stainless-steel vessel, with no embalming required. We then add a solution of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide (an alkali), and heat the vessel to 200-300°F under pressure for 4-6 hours. During this time, soft tissues naturally dissolve, leaving only bone fragments. These fragments are then dried and processed into a powder, similar to the ashes from flame cremation. Families receive about 20-30% more remains than they would from traditional cremation.

What makes water cremation special is how it mirrors nature's own process. The same decomposition that would take decades in soil happens in just hours, but with remarkable gentleness. It's like returning to the elements in the most natural way possible.

Since Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose this method for his funeral in 2022, I've noticed a surge in interest from families seeking environmentally mindful options. The process is explained thoroughly here, for those curious about its growing popularity.

The environmental benefits are significant. Water cremation uses about 90% less energy than flame cremation and produces no direct emissions. It's currently legal in 24-27 U.S. states, with availability expanding internationally as regulations evolve. For more detailed information, you can explore our guide to water cremation services.

I'm Mortuary Cooler, and our team has helped numerous funeral homes across America incorporate how do you get cremated by water technology into their services. We've witnessed how this option brings comfort to environmentally conscious families during difficult times.

For those looking to learn more about specific aspects of water cremation, we've compiled helpful resources about alkaline hydrolysis cost, what is water based cremation, and how water cremation works.

What Is Water Cremation (Aquamation)?

Water cremation, or aquamation, offers a gentle alternative to traditional flame-based methods. Instead of fire, how do you get cremated by water uses a combination of flowing water, alkaline solution, and mild heat to return a body to its basic elements – mimicking nature's own decomposition process, but in hours rather than decades.

This fascinating process has a surprisingly long history. Amos Herbert Hanson first patented the technique back in 1888, though his original goal was creating fertilizer from animal remains. The technology found new purpose in the 1990s when it became a solution for safely disposing of cattle affected by Mad Cow Disease. Human applications followed, with the Mayo Clinic installing the first commercial system in 2005. By 2011, funeral homes in Ohio and Florida began offering this service to families seeking alternatives.

The Cremation Association of North America defines it perfectly: "Water cremation is a water-based dissolution process for human remains that uses alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes agitation and/or pressure, to accelerate natural decomposition."

What makes aquamation so remarkable is how closely it mirrors nature's own process. When a body is buried in soil, similar chemical breakdowns occur – aquamation simply speeds up what would normally take decades. The end result is a sterile liquid free of DNA and bone fragments that can be processed into a powder similar to ashes from flame cremation.

For more comprehensive information about these services, you can explore our detailed guide on aqua cremation explained or read about what is aquamation in The Guardian's thoughtful coverage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's choice for this green cremation option.

Science Behind Alkaline Hydrolysis

The science of how do you get cremated by water is both neat and straightforward. At its heart, the process uses an extremely alkaline solution – starting at a pH of about 14 (similar to drain cleaner) and gradually dropping to around 11 by the end of the cycle.

Funeral homes typically offer one of two approaches to alkaline hydrolysis:

The high-temperature method runs at about 160°C (320°F) under pressure for 4-6 hours, while the low-temperature approach operates at a gentler 98°C (208°F) for 14-16 hours. Both achieve identical results, just through slightly different mechanisms. The high-temperature method uses pressure to prevent water from boiling, speeding up tissue breakdown, while the low-temperature approach takes longer but requires less specialized equipment.

What's happening chemically is beautiful in its simplicity. The combination of water, alkali (typically potassium hydroxide), and heat breaks the chemical bonds holding together proteins, fats, and DNA – a process called hydrolysis. Complex organic molecules transform into their basic building blocks: amino acids, sugars, salts, and peptides.

One of the most remarkable aspects of alkaline hydrolysis is its selectivity. The solution targets only soft tissues while leaving bone minerals intact. Bones, primarily composed of calcium phosphate, maintain their structure but become porous and fragile after the process – ready for the final steps that create the remains returned to families.

This gentle chemistry offers a window into how nature itself works – just accelerated through human ingenuity to provide families with a meaningful, environmentally conscious option for their loved ones.

How do you get cremated by water: Step-by-Step Process

Now, let's walk through exactly how do you get cremated by water works, from beginning to end:

Preparing for "how do you get cremated by water" paperwork

Before your loved one begins their final journey through aquamation, there's some necessary paperwork to complete - just like with any end-of-life arrangement.

First, a medical professional needs to complete and sign the death certificate, documenting the official cause of death. Your funeral director will then handle obtaining the necessary disposition permits from local authorities, ensuring everything is legally in order.

As the next of kin, you'll need to provide written authorization for the water cremation process. This important step confirms your wishes and provides legal permission to proceed.

Unlike traditional flame cremation, water cremation has different requirements for medical devices. Pacemakers and certain implants must be removed, though many other implants can actually stay in place since they won't be damaged by the gentle water process.

One notable difference worth mentioning - embalming isn't necessary or even recommended before water cremation. The chemicals used in embalming can actually interfere with the alkaline hydrolysis process, so it's typically avoided.

Throughout this process, your licensed funeral director serves as your guide, helping you steer the legal requirements specific to your state. Since regulations for how do you get cremated by water vary significantly by location, their expertise is invaluable.

For more detailed information, our Step-by-Step Guide to the water-based cremation process covers everything you need to know.

Inside the Vessel – "how do you get cremated by water" chemistry

Once all paperwork is complete, the actual physical process begins. Your loved one is gently placed in a stainless-steel vessel, sometimes wrapped in a simple biodegradable shroud or container. This vessel becomes the space where the change occurs.

The vessel fills with a special mixture - 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The exact amount depends on body weight, but typically uses about 100 gallons of liquid. After sealing and pressurizing the vessel (in high-temperature systems), the solution is heated to either 160°C/320°F or 98°C/208°F, depending on the system used, and gently circulated around the body.

Inside this peaceful vessel, something remarkable happens. The alkaline solution works naturally to break down soft tissues, completely disintegrating DNA and organic material while leaving only the inorganic bone matrix. This isn't a harsh dissolution (despite how Hollywood might portray it) but rather a gentle acceleration of the body's natural decomposition process.

The cycle takes between 4 and 16 hours, with the solution quietly circulating within the vessel. Ren Scherling, a funeral director who operates an alkaline hydrolysis machine, describes it beautifully: "It's so, so, so quiet. It's really no louder than a dishwasher at home."

From Bones to Ashes Returned to Family

After the cycle completes, two things remain in the vessel: porous, fragile bone fragments that have maintained their mineral structure but lost all organic material, and a sterile greenish-brown liquid containing the broken-down organic components.

The bone fragments are carefully collected and rinsed with clean water, then placed in a drying oven to remove all moisture - a crucial step before further processing. Once completely dry, these bones go through a processor called a cremulator (the same type used after flame cremation) that gently reduces them to a fine, white powder.

Many families are surprised to learn that water cremation typically yields about 20-30% more cremated remains than flame cremation. This happens because the gentler water process preserves more of the bone mineral structure that would otherwise be lost during high-temperature incineration.

The final remains - typically whiter in color and finer in texture than traditional cremation ashes - are placed in an urn or container of your choosing. Just like with traditional cremation, these remains can be kept, scattered, buried, or incorporated into memorial jewelry or art pieces according to your family's wishes.

Liquid By-Product: Safe Disposal & Reuse

The sterile liquid that remains after water cremation often raises questions for families considering this option. Let me explain what happens to it.

This effluent is 96% water and contains broken-down organic compounds - primarily amino acids, peptides, sugars, and salts. Thanks to the high pH and temperature of the process, it's completely sterile and free of DNA, pathogens, and pharmaceuticals.

Most facilities handle this liquid in one of two ways:

The most common approach is directing it to the municipal wastewater system after neutralizing it to adjust the pH. This is similar to how other funeral home effluents (like embalming fluids) are handled safely.

In some areas, the nutrient-rich solution can serve as fertilizer for non-food crops or landscaping, completing a natural cycle of returning organic matter to the earth.

Christa Ovenell, a funeral industry professional, addresses a common misconception: families aren't "pouring Granny down the sink" as some mistakenly believe. The process is carefully regulated, and the effluent is handled according to strict local environmental standards.

For those with environmental concerns, the Reuters fact-check on effluent confirms that the liquid byproduct is completely safe and poses no risk to water systems or the environment when properly handled.

Comparing Water vs. Flame Cremation

When families ask about how do you get cremated by water, they often want to know how it stacks up against traditional options. Let's take a friendly look at the differences that matter most:

Water cremation's gentle approach has been winning hearts across North America. When a Quebec funeral home introduced aquamation alongside traditional options, something remarkable happened – 98% of families chose the water-based method. Even more telling, their customer base tripled afterward. People clearly connect with this gentler goodbye once they understand what it offers.

"It's the difference between returning to the elements by fire or by water," as one funeral director beautifully puts it. Many families find comfort in the natural process that mimics what would happen in soil, just accelerated.

Beyond the emotional aspects, water cremation offers practical benefits too. Metal implants and dental work remain intact rather than being incinerated, preventing mercury and other metals from entering the atmosphere. While pacemakers still need removal (mainly for recycling purposes), they don't pose the explosion risk they do in flame cremation.

For environmentally conscious families, the carbon footprint difference is significant. Water cremation uses about 75% less energy than flame cremation and produces no direct emissions. The water usage – about the same as a household uses in three days – represents a one-time use rather than the perpetual resource demands of cemetery maintenance.

The remains families receive after water cremation are typically whiter, finer, and about 20-30% more abundant than from flame cremation. Many families appreciate having more of their loved one's remains to share among family members or to use in various memorial options.

Of course, every family's needs are unique. That's why we believe in providing clear information about all options. If you're interested in learning more about the environmental benefits, our blog post on Going Green with Water Cremation goes into more depth about this gentle alternative.

At American Mortuary Coolers, we've seen growing interest in how do you get cremated by water from both families and funeral professionals. As more people find this option, we're proud to support funeral homes with the equipment they need to offer this meaningful choice.

Is Water Cremation Right for You? Legal, Cost & Cultural Factors

When considering how do you get cremated by water, several practical factors come into play beyond just the environmental benefits. Let's explore what you need to know to make an informed decision about this gentle alternative.

Where Is It Legal & Available?

The availability of water cremation varies significantly depending on where you live. As of 2023, approximately 24-27 U.S. states have approved this process for human remains, including California, Florida, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.

I've spoken with funeral directors in states like Vermont and Utah who report growing interest among families seeking greener options. Meanwhile, in Canada, provinces like Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec have acceptd this technology with positive public response.

The United Kingdom is making progress too, with companies like Kindly Earth preparing to launch services once they receive final regulatory approvals. However, the path to legalization hasn't always been smooth. In some regions, traditional cremation industry lobbying and religious concerns have created roadblocks.

"The regulations are changing rapidly," explains one funeral director I interviewed. "Just last year, three more states approved water cremation, so it's worth checking current laws even if it wasn't available in your area previously."

For the most up-to-date information specific to your location, our guide to Water Cremation and Aquamation Laws in Your State can help you steer the legal landscape.

Cost Breakdown & Insurance Planning

When families ask me about costs, I tell them that how do you get cremated by water typically ranges from $500 to $3,000, depending on the provider and location. This puts it roughly in the same range as flame cremation, which can cost anywhere from under $1,000 to about $5,000 across North America.

What affects the final price? Several factors come into play:

The base service fee covers the fundamental process itself, while transportation fees apply to transferring your loved one to the facility. Urn selection varies widely in cost depending on materials and craftsmanship. Additional services like memorial gatherings or viewing options will add to the total.

Good news for those with funeral insurance: most policies cover water cremation just as they would traditional cremation. However, it's always wise to verify the specifics of your coverage. Many providers also offer payment plans or pre-planning options that let you lock in current prices.

"We've found that pre-planning brings peace of mind," shares one funeral home director. "Families appreciate knowing they've made these decisions thoughtfully, without the emotional pressure of a recent loss."

For a more detailed breakdown of what to expect financially, our article on All About the Cost of Water Cremation provides comprehensive guidance.

Faith & Culture: Acceptance and Objections

The spiritual and cultural dimensions of how do you get cremated by water vary widely across different traditions. I've had thoughtful conversations with religious leaders who hold diverse views on this practice.

Catholic perspectives include some concerns, with Donald Cardinal Wuerl describing water cremation as "unnecessarily disrespectful of the human body." However, individual dioceses may take different positions, and many Catholic families have found ways to incorporate this option into meaningful funeral rituals.

Traditional Jewish and Islamic practices generally favor burial over any form of cremation, including water cremation. These traditions emphasize the integrity of the body and its return to the earth in its natural state.

Hindu and Buddhist communities, already comfortable with flame cremation, have generally been open to water cremation as a gentler alternative. One Hindu priest told me he sees it as "returning to the elements in a different way, but with the same spiritual meaning."

Interestingly, some Native Hawaiian traditions include practices similar to water cremation, suggesting cultural precedent for this method. As one cultural practitioner explained, "Our ancestors understood the purifying nature of water in transition rituals."

It's worth remembering that religious views on end-of-life practices have evolved over time. Many denominations that once strictly forbade cremation now accept it, and similar evolution may occur regarding water cremation as it becomes more familiar.

Environmental Scorecard

For those who lived environmentally conscious lives, the ecological benefits of how do you get cremated by water often become the deciding factor. The numbers tell a compelling story:

Water cremation uses approximately 90 kWh of electricity per process—just one-quarter of flame cremation's 360 kWh. While it does require about 1,300 liters (343 gallons) of water, that's equivalent to what a household of four uses in a single day.

The carbon footprint reduction is significant, with approximately 75% fewer emissions than flame cremation. Plus, there are no airborne mercury or dioxin emissions to worry about. Since no casket is required for the process itself, wood consumption is reduced as well.

"My mother was an environmental scientist," one family member shared with me. "She would have loved knowing her final act continued her lifelong commitment to treading lightly on the earth."

These environmental benefits have made water cremation particularly meaningful for those who wish their final arrangements to reflect the values they championed throughout their lives.

How to Arrange a Water Cremation Service

Planning a water cremation service for yourself or a loved one may feel overwhelming at first, but the process is quite similar to arranging a traditional funeral. Let me walk you through how to make these arrangements with compassion and care.

First, you'll want to find a provider in your area. Not all funeral homes offer how do you get cremated by water services yet, so some research is necessary. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) maintains a helpful member directory that can point you toward qualified providers. A quick phone call to local funeral homes can also tell you who offers this service nearby.

Before making arrangements, double-check that water cremation is legal in your state or region. As we mentioned earlier, about 24-27 states currently permit this process, but regulations continue to evolve. Your funeral director will know the current legal status in your area.

When you find a provider, schedule a consultation to discuss specifics. During this meeting, you'll talk about:

Timing and availability - Some facilities may have limited capacity for water cremation Complete pricing - Ask for a detailed breakdown of all costs Transportation options - Especially important if the nearest provider isn't local Urn selection - You'll need a slightly larger container than for flame cremation

Many people find comfort in pre-planning. Arranging your own water cremation in advance ensures your wishes are followed and often locks in current pricing. Most providers offer pre-planning options with flexible payment plans.

"Pre-planning gave me peace of mind knowing my final arrangements would be exactly as I wanted them," shared Martha, a client who pre-arranged her water cremation. "Plus, it was one less burden for my children to handle during a difficult time."

For the memorial service, you have the same flexibility as with traditional cremation. You can hold a viewing before the process, wait until afterward to receive the remains for a memorial service, or plan something entirely unique. Water cremation doesn't limit your memorial options in any way.

At American Mortuary Coolers, we partner with funeral homes nationwide to provide the equipment and expertise needed for water cremation. Our team is happy to connect you with providers in your area who offer this gentle alternative.

For more detailed guidance, our article on How to Understand the Water Cremation Process in 5 Simple Steps walks you through everything you need to know.

Common Misconceptions About How Do You Get Cremated by Water

There's quite a bit of misinformation floating around about water cremation. Let's clear up some of the most common misconceptions with facts.

Many people worry that how do you get cremated by water means "pouring Granny down the drain." This couldn't be further from the truth. The liquid byproduct is a sterile solution containing simple organic compounds—not recognizable human remains. The actual remains returned to the family are processed bone fragments, just like with flame cremation. These are the meaningful remains that families treasure.

Some have concerns about safety, wondering if water cremation effectively destroys pathogens or prions (proteins responsible for diseases like CJD). Rest assured, scientific studies have confirmed that alkaline hydrolysis, when performed correctly, effectively destroys all known pathogens and prions. The combination of high pH and temperature creates an environment where these cannot survive.

"The process is remarkably thorough," explains Dr. James Symington, a researcher who has studied alkaline hydrolysis. "The conditions inside the vessel are incompatible with the survival of any biological pathogens."

Another common worry is that the process must be noisy and industrial. In reality, water cremation equipment operates very quietly—about as loud as your home dishwasher. The process is gentle and peaceful, not the industrial cacophony some imagine.

Water usage concerns are valid but often exaggerated. While water cremation does use about 343 gallons of water, this is equivalent to what a household of four uses in just one day—a relatively small amount compared to many other industrial processes we rarely think twice about.

Finally, some people mistakenly believe that water cremation is like being "dissolved in acid." This couldn't be more incorrect. The process uses an alkaline solution (the chemical opposite of acid) and works through hydrolysis, not dissolution. It simply accelerates the same natural processes that would occur during earth burial, but in a controlled, dignified environment.

Understanding these facts can help families make informed decisions about whether water cremation aligns with their values and wishes for a final farewell.

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Cremation

Does water cremation use too much water?

One of the most common questions I hear from families considering aquamation is about water usage. It's a valid concern in our increasingly water-conscious world.

How do you get cremated by water does require about 1,300 liters (343 gallons) of water per process – which sounds like a lot until you put it in perspective. This is roughly what a family of four uses in a single day for their showers, dishes, laundry, and other activities.

When we compare this to traditional burial, which requires ongoing irrigation of cemetery grounds for decades or centuries, the one-time water use of aquamation actually represents a smaller water footprint over time. Many of our funeral home partners find this helps families understand the relative impact.

What's particularly interesting is that in some areas, the sterile effluent can be repurposed for agricultural use. One of our clients in Oregon works with local farms to use the nutrient-rich solution as fertilizer for non-food crops, creating a beautiful full-circle moment where the water isn't "used up" but rather contributes to new life.

What remains do families receive?

After the water cremation process completes, families receive remains that look quite similar to what they'd expect from flame cremation, with a few meaningful differences.

First, there's simply more of them – typically 20-30% more by volume than flame cremation provides. This happens because the gentler water process preserves more of the bone mineral structure that would otherwise be lost during high-temperature incineration.

Many families tell us they appreciate receiving these additional remains, especially when they're planning to divide ashes among family members or create multiple memorial items.

The remains themselves have a distinctive appearance – they're usually whiter in color and finer in texture than flame cremation ashes. This purity reflects their composition as clean bone mineral, free from the carbon and other contaminants sometimes found in flame cremation ashes.

"The remains we received were so beautifully white," one family member shared with us. "It felt somehow more peaceful, more pure."

These remains can be treated exactly like traditional cremation ashes – kept in an urn, scattered in a meaningful place, buried in a cemetery plot, or transformed into memorial jewelry, glass art, or other keepsakes.

Can I still hold a traditional funeral service?

Absolutely! I'm always happy to reassure families that choosing how do you get cremated by water doesn't mean sacrificing any traditional funeral elements that bring comfort during grief.

Water cremation integrates seamlessly into funeral arrangements just like traditional cremation. You can still hold a viewing or visitation before the cremation process if that's important to your family. Many funeral homes offer refrigeration or temporary preservation methods that don't require traditional embalming, making them perfectly compatible with the water cremation process.

Memorial services work exactly the same way – whether you prefer a formal religious ceremony, a celebration of life, or an intimate gathering of close family. The cremated remains can be present in an urn if desired, just as with flame cremation.

If burial of the remains is important to your family traditions, water cremation accommodates this beautifully. The ashes can be buried in a cemetery plot, placed in a columbarium niche, or even incorporated into a living memorial like a tree planting.

One of the most touching services I witnessed was a scattering ceremony at a mountain lake where a family chose water cremation specifically because their loved one had been a lifelong environmental advocate. They felt the gentler process aligned perfectly with his values, and the scattering ceremony in nature completed that circle of care for the earth.

Our partner funeral directors are experienced in helping families create meaningful ceremonies that honor their loved ones while incorporating this gentle disposition method. The most important thing is creating a farewell that feels right for your family and honors the person you loved.

Conclusion

Water cremation stands as a gentle, eco-conscious alternative to traditional flame cremation. When people ask about how do you get cremated by water, they're finding a process that honors the natural cycle of life by simply accelerating what nature already does, but in a more environmentally responsible way.

As this option continues to expand across America and around the world, families are increasingly drawn to water cremation for several compelling reasons. Many find comfort in its gentler approach. Some appreciate how it aligns with their environmental values. Others simply prefer the idea of water over fire for their final journey.

Here at American Mortuary Coolers, we've made it our mission to support funeral homes nationwide in bringing this innovative option to their communities. From our Tennessee headquarters, we serve funeral professionals from New York to Los Angeles, and Chicago to Dallas, providing both the specialized equipment and the expertise they need to confidently offer water cremation services.

Understanding how do you get cremated by water empowers you to make choices that truly reflect your personal values or those of your loved ones. Whether you're planning ahead for yourself or making arrangements during a difficult time, having knowledge about all available options helps ensure final wishes align with the life that was lived.

For funeral directors looking to expand their service offerings, we invite you to explore our American Mortuary Coolers Aquamation Equipment guide to learn about the essential supplies and ongoing support we provide. Our team understands the unique challenges of introducing new services, and we're here to help every step of the way.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's choice of water cremation for his own farewell sent a powerful message to the world. His final act wasn't just about how he wished to be remembered, but represented a meaningful statement about our relationship with the natural world and our responsibility to it.

As more people learn about water cremation, they often find it represents not just an end-of-life choice, but a final opportunity to express what mattered most to them throughout their lives. It's a thoughtful farewell that leaves behind a gentler footprint – something many of us hope will be our lasting legacy.