Aquamation

Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, resomation, or water cremation, is a method of final disposition for human and animal remains that uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to accelerate natural decomposition. In the process, the body is placed in a sealed processing chamber with an alkaline solution (typically potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) and water. The mixture is heated and kept under controlled pressure for several hours, causing soft tissues to dissolve and the body to hydrolyze into a sterile liquid and a skeletal residue.

The resulting bone fragment remains are cleaned, dried, and finely ground to produce a powder that resembles cremated remains and is returned to the family. The liquid effluent, composed mainly of water, salts, and dissolved organic matter, is treated and disposed of according to local regulations, often via sewer systems after appropriate processing.

Advocates describe aquamation as environmentally favorable compared with flame-based cremation, noting lower energy use and the absence of combustion emissions. Critics point to significant water and chemical requirements and to concerns about the management of the effluent and any dissolved metals or implants. In practice, facilities typically remove non-dissolvable implants prior to processing, and regulatory controls govern effluent discharge and facility operations.

Regulatory status varies widely by country and region. Some jurisdictions authorize aquamation as an alternative to cremation or burial, with specific guidelines; others ban or restrict the procedure. The method is used for both human and, in some cases, animal remains, and is marketed under several names to reflect different aspects of the process.