A Gentle Alternative

What Is Water Cremation?

Family playing on beach after funeral service in San Francisco after water cremation 
Post Life Options

Rethinking End of Life Traditions

For generations, families have faced only two main choices after death: traditional burial or fire cremation. But both carry hidden costs, not only for families, but for our communities and our planet. In life’s most tender moments, we search for choices that reflect our values, respect our loved ones, and care for the world we leave behind.

Water Cremation

How it Works

Aquamation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation) is a respectful and eco-conscious way to return a life’s vessel back to nature. This gentle method mirrors the natural decomposition process that occurs when a body returns to the earth, but much more efficiently. By carefully combining water, mild alkalinity, heat, and sometimes pressure, aquamation accelerates how your body would naturally break down in soil, achieving in a few hours what might otherwise take months or even years.

Diagram of a water cremation chamber for how water cremation works

Creating the Right Environment

The process takes place inside a sealed stainless‑steel chamber, where the body is placed in a warm, pressurized bath of water mixed with a mild alkaline solution. This controlled setting boosts the body’s natural return to the earth by encouraging molecular breakdown.

Breaking Down the Body with Care

Over 3 to 6 hours, depending on body mass and bone density, the combined action of heat, alkalinity, and pressure dissolves everything but the bones. Our team carefully oversees this process, and upon request, plays the music of your choice to honor your loved one.

What remains, and what’s returned

The bones, mostly mineral, are gently dried and processed into a smooth, white powder (not ash). The sterile liquid, called effluent, is rich in natural nutrients such as amino acids, peptides, salts, and sugars. This liquid contains no DNA or tissue and is returned safely to the earth. 

A Meaningful, Positive Outcome

Families receive the finely processed bone powder in an urn, offering a tangible way to remember a loved one. The nutrient-rich effluent supports ecological balance and continues to nourish the planet, becoming part of a cycle that promotes renewal and honors life’s continuity.

Protecting Our Planet

The Hidden Costs of Burial and Fire Cremation

1.5 Million Tons of Concrete Used Annually

Traditional burials consume 1.5 million tons of concrete and 30 million board feet of wood every year in the United States, along with embalming chemicals that seep into the earth. Cemeteries also occupy vast land.

534 Pounds of CO₂ Released per Fire Cremation

Each fire cremation emits about 534 pounds of CO₂, the same as driving a car roughly 600 miles. Multiply this by thousands of services each year, and the environmental footprint becomes staggering.

90% Less Energy Used with Water Cremation

Water cremation uses 90% less energy than flame-based methods and eliminates harmful emissions like mercury. Each process uses only 150–250 gallons of water, which is filtered and safely returned to the environment, far less water used to maintain traditional burial grounds.

Two people holding hands after memorial funeral service in Redding, CA offering cremation
Bamboo urn with water cremation remains alternative to traditional burial

Get Started

Start planning with Aquaterra today and explore a gentler, more sustainable alternative to a traditional burial or fire cremation. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the water cremation process with care and clarity.

Water Cremation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle, water-based process used to return a body to its natural elements. It is an alternative to traditional cremation and burial.

  • Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle and eco-friendly alternative to traditional flame-based cremation or burial. Here’s how it works:

    1. The Process: The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel filled with a solution of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. This solution is heated and circulated gently.

    2️. Natural Decomposition: Over several hours, the water and alkaline solution mimic the natural decomposition process, breaking down soft tissues into their natural elements.

    3️. Eco-Friendly Outcome: At the end of the process, only two things remain: the mineralized bones, which are processed into fine ashes and returned to the family, and a sterile, nutrient-rich liquid, which can be safely returned to the Earth.

    Compared to traditional cremation, water cremation uses 90% less energy and produces no harmful emissions, making it a truly sustainable choice.

  • The soft tissues are gently dissolved into the water, while the bones are softened, dried, and reduced to a fine, white powder. This powder is then returned to the family, much like ashes from traditional cremation.

  • Yes, water cremation is often considered a more environmentally friendly choice. It uses less energy and doesn’t produce harmful emissions, making it a more sustainable option for families looking to reduce their environmental impact.

  • Generally, water cremation can take anywhere from 3 to 16 hours, depending on the equipment and the size of the individual. At Aquaterra, our process typically takes 4-6 hours.

  • Yes, the liquid left behind is sterile and safe. It contains natural elements like salts and amino acids, and it’s treated and can be disposed of through regular wastewater systems.

  • Instead of using fire, water cremation uses a gentle, water-based process to break down the body. It is often seen as a softer, more natural alternative to traditional cremation.

  • Yes, just like with traditional cremation, the remains from water cremation can be placed in an urn and kept by the family as a meaningful keepsake.

  • Many people choose water cremation because it is seen as a more natural and environmentally friendly process. It is also a gentler alternative for families who prefer something less intense than traditional cremation by fire.

  • Yes, water cremation is designed to be a respectful, gentle process. The body is handled with care throughout, and the breakdown occurs in a peaceful, controlled environment.

  • Absolutely. Families can still hold traditional services, such as viewings or memorials, before or after the water cremation process, just like with traditional burial or cremation.

  • After water cremation, the bones are dried, reduced to a fine powder, and returned to the family in an urn or container, similar to traditional cremation.

  • Yes, the remains (also called "cremains") can be scattered, buried, or kept in an urn, depending on the family’s wishes. Water cremation provides the same flexibility as traditional cremation.

  • Some religions accept water cremation as a respectful alternative to traditional methods, while others may not. It’s important for individuals to check with their religious leaders or traditions to ensure this choice aligns with their beliefs.

  • Yes, the process is completely safe. The liquid produced is sterile and harmless, and it is treated and disposed of in a way that meets health and safety regulations.

  • Not necessarily. Just like with traditional cremation or burial, the body can be prepared, and the family can choose when the process will take place, allowing time for memorial services if desired.

  • Many people consider it to be more sustainable than burial because it doesn’t involve embalming chemicals, large amounts of land, or heavy caskets. It leaves a lighter environmental footprint.

  • No, water cremation uses a small amount of potassium hydroxide (lye), which is a common chemical used in many everyday products. The process is safe and the resulting liquid is non-toxic and sterile.

  • Any medical implants, like pacemakers or metal joints, remain intact after the process. They are safely removed from the remains and can often be recycled.

  • Choosing water cremation is a personal decision. It may be the right choice for families looking for a gentle, eco-friendly option, or for those who feel it aligns with their values or beliefs. It can help to talk with a funeral director or counselor to explore all options.