You’ve heard of cremation, but what about aquamation? More and more families are considering this innovative process—which uses water instead of fire—because it leaves a significantly smaller carbon footprint. Aquamation is gaining attention as a greener, more natural way to say goodbye. Here are a few things to consider when choosing this method.
TIP: Aquamation results in about 20–30% more remains than traditional cremation. To ensure there is enough space, choose an extra large urn instead of an adult-sized urn for most individuals. For children, because the increase in volume is minimal, a small- to medium-sized urn is often still appropriate.
Explore our extra large urns to find a piece that beautifully honors your loved one.
How it Works
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, uses a combination of water, alkaline solution, and heat to gently reduce the body, breaking down organic matter into its basic components. The result is a fine white powder similar to cremated remains.
Why it’s ‘Greener’
Aquamation requires only about one-tenth of the energy of flame cremation and produces no harmful emissions. The process also creates a sterile liquid byproduct, which is safely returned to the environment. Like traditional cremation, it eliminates the need for caskets or embalming chemicals. For families seeking the most eco-friendly farewell, aquamation is a significant step forward.
5 Things to Know Before Choosing Aquamation
- Do you get ashes back, just like with cremation?
Yes — though they’re not technically ashes. What you receive will be very similar to cremated remains, but slightly whiter, softer, and finer. Funeral professionals may use terms like “aquamated remains”, but families often still call them ashes. - Do I get more, or less ashes back?
You’ll receive 20–30% more remains with aquamation than with cremation. Be sure to plan ahead when purchasing an urn. - How long does it take?
The aquamation process itself usually takes a few hours, only slightly longer than flame cremation. Overall, the timeframe for families to receive the ashes is often similar, since much depends on the provider’s processes rather than the method used. - How much does it cost?
At this time, aquamation is usually more expensive than cremation — often costing about 20–50% more, depending on provider and location. - Where is it available?
Aquamation is currently legal in a growing number of U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Availability is still limited, but as regulations change, more facilities are offering it.
Is Aquamation the Right Choice for You?
As an eco-friendly option that’s gaining popularity, aquamation is becoming available in more places each year. For families, the experience is much the same as cremation, with one important difference: the process produces more ashes. That means planning ahead with a larger urn is essential. If honoring your loved one’s eco-values matters, aquamation may be the right choice.
Need help deciding which urn size is right for you when choosing aquamation? Let our staff guide you. Contact us by email or phone at (888) 872-0228.