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Aquamation: Frequently Asked Questions
- Water-based cremation (aquamation) is 100% environmentally-friendly – the kindest, gentlest way to return your pet’s unconditional love.
- You receive a larger amount of your pet’s cherished remains.
- Rates are comparable to conventional pet cremation.
With alkaline hydrolysis, your pet’s body is gently placed in a container that is then placed in a clean, stainless steel vessel. A combination of water flow, temperature and alkalinity (the chemical opposite of an acid) are used to accelerate the natural process of tissue hydrolysis. At the end of the process, the body has been returned to its natural form, dissolved in the water (our bodies are approximately 65% water to begin with). The only solid remains are the mineral bone remains.
Yes. The water-based process is 95% water and 5% alkali. A combination of alkalis (sodium and potassium hydroxide) are used in the process to dissolve the body. The alkalis used in this process are the same alkalis used in common cosmetic products, body washes, shaving creams, and even in food preparation. At the end of the process, the chemical has been completely used and no longer remains in the water solution.
The water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility, just as all funeral homes in the United States do during the embalming process. The alkaline hydrolysis process produces a completely sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soap in a water solution. These are the byproducts of natural decomposition.
Yes, the remains are 100% safe, pathogen and disease free. The ash that is returned to the family is simply bone mineral, or calcium phosphate. The ashes will keep in an urn, or may be buried or scattered in a special place as some families choose to do.
Click here to download our brochure, or visit our Services page to learn more about Aquamation options for your pet.