aquamation information
Aquamation uses significantly less energy than flame cremation
Aquamation uses significantly less energy than flame cremation, but more importantly – our process does not rely on fossil fuels. Because Aquamation uses electricity, it will move into the future as our society improves infrastructure for cleaner energy sources – like wind, water, and solar energy.
There are no emissions of harmful greenhouse gases as in flame cremation. There is no production of methane gas or leakage of harmful chemicals into the soil as with ground burial.
The Aquamation process does not burn any fossil fuels, has greater than 90% energy savings compared to flame-based pet cremation and has only 1/10th of the carbon footprint.
To understand why Aquamation is considered more environmentally-friendly than cremation, one needs to understand a bit about the cremation process. crematories use intense heat, between 1400 and 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, to break down the body’s tissues. It takes a significant amount of energy to raise temperatures that high. The process also releases harmful emissions into the environment. Aquamation uses one-seventh of the energy of traditional cremation, and no toxic gases are released into the environment. Because the process is completed at a lower heat, there is no toxic gases released into the air, but they are during the traditional cremation process.
Distinguished Institutions use Aquamation
For over 20 years, trusted institutions have chosen this process for the dignified and environmentally conscious disposition of bodies donated to medical science. The MAYO Clinic, UCLA Medical School, Duke University, and UTSW Medical School have chosen this process for their distinguished willed body programs. Human Aquamation is approved for use in the funeral industry in more than 20 states.
Aquamation versus fire cremation
Differences to know
Even though it has been a long time coming, suddenly it seems as if the world has another burial alternative. You may have heard it described as “water cremation” or the more-scientific sounding name of “alkaline hydrolysis.” For this article’s purposes, we will refer to the process of a liquid cremation at “Aquamation.”
Aquamation is a gentle process of breaking down the body’s tissues using water, heat, and alkaline chemicals. This process is based on the natural decay that a body undergoes when buried in the ground. Instead of taking numerous years, the body will decompose in less than a day.
During Aquamation, the body is placed in a watertight chamber. Almost 100 gallons of water are added as well as the alkaline chemicals. The chamber is slightly heated and sometimes agitated. The result is that all of the body’s soft tissue goes into the water. The bone fragments that remain are pulverized into a white, sand-like material.
Aquamation Ashes Look Different Than Cremation Ashes
Cremation cremains are often described as gray, coarse sand. After the aquamation process is completed, the family will receive a clean white, uniform powder.
The family will also receive approximately 20% more remains with the aquamation process than the cremation process.
