What is Aquamation?
Water-based Aquamation is a method of final disposition. Aquamation does in hours what nature does in months and years as part of nature’s course when a body is laid to rest. Through a combination of water flow, temperature, and alkalinity, we accelerate nature’s process of tissue hydrolysis to return the body to its natural form.
We find that many families are grateful to have a choice, and some prefer a process that does not use fire or flame. Many believe this to be a gentle option, and value the decreased carbon foot print it leaves.
With Aquamation, an individual body is gently placed in a container that is then placed in a sterile stainless steel vessel. A combination of 95% water and 5% alkali (sodium and potassium hydroxide) are used, in the process of tissue hydrolysis. These alkalis are safe for the environment and are the same alkalis that are used in many common household products.
Upon the completion of the process, the water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility. The Aquamation process produces a completely sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soaps in a water solution. These are all by-products of natural decomposition.
Aquamation preserves approximately 20% more remains of your loved one. These remains are 100% safe, pathogen and disease free, and consist simply of bone material (calcium phosphate). Families may keep the Aquamated remains in an urn, inter them in a grave or niche, or scatter them in a special place.
Aquamation Facts
- A flameless process of disposition that uses water instead of fire.
- No emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses or mercury.
- With Aquamation, the purchase of a casket is not required. This helps to reduce the total cost of Aquamation.
- The word Hydrolysis comes to us from Ancient Greek hydro-, meaning “water”, and lysis, meaning “to unbind”.
- Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which a molecule of water causes a large molecule to break into one or more smaller molecules.
- Hydrolysis is the reverse of Condensation - the process adds water to break down, whereas condensation builds up by removing water.
Aquamation FAQ's
Alkaline hydrolysis is the natural process a body undergoes after burial, which can take up to 25 years. Aquamation essentially accelerates this natural process to 2-3 hours in a very quiet, controlled environment.
The following are some of the more common questions we receive from families in regards to our Aquamation process.
Do Ashburnham Funeral Home & Community Alternative Funeral Home offer all methods of disposition?
Why choose water-based Aquamation?
Many families are grateful to now have an additional choice in regards to disposition after a death has occurred. Some prefer a process that does not involve fire and flame, and appreciate that our process leaves a very small carbon footprint with decreased environmental impact. In addition, Aquamation provides families with 20% more of their loved one's aquamated remains, and they will be white in colour - not grey or brown.
How does the Aquamation process work?
Aquamation is essentially an accelerated version of what takes place during natural decomposition. Aquamation does in hours what nature does in months and years as part of nature’s course when a body is laid to rest. Water flow, temperature, and alkalinity are used to accelerate the natural course of tissue hydrolysis. At the end of the process the body will be returned to its natural form, dissolved in the water. Remember - our bodies are 65% water to begin with! The only solid remains are the mineral remains of the bones.
Are the Aquamated remains sterile and safe to handle?
Yes, the Aquamated remains (calcium phosphate) are 100% safe, pathogen and disease free. The Aquamation system rinses and cools the remains as part of the automated process. They are safe to handle with bare hands immediately afterwards. The Aquamated remains do not require a cooling time prior to handling, but since this is a water process they will require a drying period before they can be processed for return to the family.
Do you Aquamate more than one person at a time, and how do I know I'm getting my loved one's ashes back?
By law, aquatoria are not allowed to aquamate bodies together, therefore all units are created to accommodate one individual at a time. A metal identification tag with a unique serial number is assigned to each individual arriving at the aquatorium which remains with that person throughout the entire process. We have tight controls in place to ensure that the remains you receive are those of your loved one, and only your loved one.
Is acid used in the Aquamation process?
There is absolutely no acid used during this water-based process. With Aquamation, there are only two chemicals mixed with the water. One is an alkaline called potassium hydroxide (KOH), which is a colourless solid, inorganic compound. KOH was the precursor to numerous health and beauty cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and this substance is also used in blanching olives, soft soaps, cleaning supplies, and other items you would commonly find in your home. The other is called Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). It too is commonly used in household cleaners, and water treatment. In total, 95% water and 5% alkalis are used. During the Aquamation process, the reaction of KOH and NaOH in water is exothermic, meaning they give off heat which contributes to the hydrolyzing or breakdown of the human tissue in the sealed aquamation vessel.
Does the Aquamation process boil the body?
The Aquamation process does NOT boil the body. Aquamation creates a highly controlled and sophisticated environment that uniquely combines water, alkali, heat and pressure. This process biochemically hydrolyzes the human body, leaving only bone fragments. The remaining by-product is a sterile fluid.
Do people choose Aquamation only to save money?
While some people select aquamation for economy, many choose this option for other reasons. The simplicity and dignity of aquamation, environmental concerns, and the flexibility aquamation affords in ceremony planning and final disposition all add to its increasing popularity. With Aquamation, a casket is not required. This helps in reducing the overall cost of funeral arrangments.
Is it legal to scatter the Aquamation remains of our loved one in Ontario?
You may purchase rights to scatter or bury Aquamated remains in a cemetery. Not all cemeteries provide scattering rights however. Check with your desired cemetery.
You may scatter Aquamated remains on private property with the written consent of the land owner. You may also scatter Aquamated remains on unoccupied Crown lands and Crown lands covered by water as long as there are no official signs prohibiting scattering.
You can also hire your funeral service provider to legally scatter cremated remains for you.
Do pacemakers and other medical implants need to be removed prior to Aquamation?
Medical devices and implants will not create any adverse effects in this system. Items such as titanium implants and pacemakers can be recovered for recycling at the conclusion of the process.
What are other reasons people may choose Aquamation?
- Many people believe that Aquamation is an extremely environmentally-friendly choice - because there are almost zero emissions admitted into the atmosphere during this process. Many families believe this to be a gentle process and prefer a process that offers:
- No vapourized mercury emissions and no filtration or abatement systems required. Mercury from dental amalgam is contained and recycled, not vapourized.
- Caskets are not burned, which protects our natural resources and produces a decreased carbon footprint
- By-product (effluent) is safe with no harmful chemical or microbial contamination.
- Preserves up to 20% more of your loved one's remains.
- Embalming fluid is neutralized and cytotoxic drugs are destroyed in the process.
- Pacemakers do not need to be surgically removed prior to the process.
- Medical implants are unaffected by the process and can possibly be recycled
Can I take Aquamated remains to another country for scattering or burial?
Countries have individual regulations regarding bringing both cremated and Aquamated remains into their jurisdictions. Likewise, scattering laws may also apply that may affect your wishes. Please consult with your funeral provider when you make arrangements so that they can provide you with the necessary information and documents required for your country of destination.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
will provide information on airline and security restrictions when flying with cremated and Aquamated remains.
