Aquamation (water cremation): what it is, what it costs, and how to arrange it

Aquamation is a method of body disposition that uses water and an alkaline solution to dissolve soft tissue, leaving only bones behind. It produces no air emissions, uses a fraction of the energy of flame cremation, and is increasingly available as a legal option across the United States.

If you are comparing disposition options — or pre-planning for yourself — here is what you need to know about how aquamation works, what it costs, where it is available, and how to arrange it.

How aquamation works

Aquamation — technically called alkaline hydrolysis — uses a solution of approximately 95% water and 5% alkali (typically potassium hydroxide) to accelerate the natural decomposition process. The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel, submerged in the solution, and subjected to heat (between 200 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit) and gentle pressure or circulation.

The process takes approximately six to eight hours for an accelerated cycle, or up to 18 hours for a gentler, low-temperature process used by some providers. At the end of the process, soft tissue has been broken down into a sterile liquid. What remains are the bones — which are then dried and processed into a fine powder, just as in flame cremation.

The liquid byproduct — sometimes called effluent or bio-cremation liquid — is sterile and environmentally benign. It is typically discharged into the municipal water system under permit, the same way water from medical facilities is handled. It does not contain formaldehyde or other embalming chemicals (aquamation is generally performed without embalming).

The resulting bone ash is returned to the family. Aquamation typically produces about 20 to 30 percent more ash than flame cremation because the water process is gentler on the bone structure. The remains are typically white or pale cream in color, compared to the gray tone common with flame cremation.

Why people choose aquamation

Environmental impact

This is the primary reason most families and individuals choose aquamation. Compared to traditional flame cremation:

• Carbon footprint: Aquamation produces roughly one-tenth the carbon emissions of flame cremation. A typical flame cremation generates approximately 400–500 pounds of CO2. Aquamation produces less than 50 pounds.
• Energy use: Aquamation uses about one-eighth the energy of flame cremation.
• Air emissions: No air emissions — no mercury released from dental amalgam fillings (a significant issue with flame cremation), no dioxins, no particulates.
• No direct contribution to air quality concerns in communities near crematoria.

For people who are already conscious of their environmental footprint, aquamation is often the most consistent choice available.

The process itself

Some families find the idea of fire distressing. Aquamation's chemistry — essentially an accelerated version of what happens in the ground — feels more natural to them. Others simply want a gentler alternative.

More bone ash returned

Aquamation returns more of the bone structure than flame cremation. Some families find this meaningful. The ash is typically lighter in color — white or cream — which many describe as more peaceful in appearance.

What you receive

After aquamation, you receive:

• The processed bone ash (cremated remains) in a temporary container or an urn you provide or purchase
• A certificate of cremation or alkaline hydrolysis from the provider
• Any personal items such as a pacemaker (which is removed before the process, as in flame cremation)

Jewelry and metal implants are not affected by the alkaline hydrolysis process in the same way as organic tissue. Pacemakers and certain implants must be removed beforehand. Metal implants such as hip replacements are typically separated from the remains and may be recycled.

Aquamation vs. flame cremation vs. green burial

| | Aquamation | Flame Cremation | Green Burial | |---|---|---|---| | Process | Water + alkali solution | High-temperature fire | Natural decomposition in ground | | Duration | 6–18 hours | 2–3 hours | Months to years | | Remains returned | Yes (ash) | Yes (ash) | No | | Carbon footprint | Very low | Moderate-high | Very low | | Air emissions | None | Yes | None | | Legal in all states | No (20+ states as of 2026) | Yes | Varies by state | | Typical cost | $1,500–$3,500 | $1,000–$4,000 | $1,000–$5,000+ | | Religious considerations | Varies | Widely accepted | Widely accepted |

Where aquamation is legal: state availability as of 2026

Aquamation is legal as a method of human disposition in more than 20 states. Several states have legalized it in recent years, and legislation is pending in others.

States where aquamation is currently legal: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and several others.

States where aquamation is currently not legal or pending: Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee.

Laws change regularly. If your state is not on the legal list, check with a local funeral provider or your state funeral regulatory board for the most current status. Some families travel to a neighboring state where aquamation is legal and have the remains returned.

What aquamation costs

Pricing varies by provider and region, but as of 2026:

• Direct aquamation (no service): $1,500–$2,500 in most markets
• Aquamation with a memorial service: $2,500–$4,500
• Comparison to direct flame cremation: $1,000–$3,000 in most markets

Aquamation is typically priced somewhat higher than direct flame cremation at the same provider, primarily because there are fewer aquamation-equipped facilities and the equipment itself is more expensive. As the process becomes more widely available, pricing is expected to become more competitive.

Under the FTC Funeral Rule, providers are required to give you an itemized price list on request. Always ask for a General Price List before committing to any provider.

How to arrange aquamation

Finding a provider

Not every funeral home or cremation provider offers aquamation. To find one:

1. Use the Passings marketplace to search for aquamation providers in your area. Passings lists vetted providers who offer alkaline hydrolysis services.
2. Check the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) provider directory at nfda.org — some members list aquamation services.
3. Search "alkaline hydrolysis near me" or "aquamation [your city]" — many providers have added this service in recent years and may not yet appear in all directories.

When you contact a provider, ask:

• Is aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) currently offered at your facility?
• What is the total price, itemized?
• How long does the process take, and when will the remains be ready?
• What container options are available for the remains?
• Can I tour the facility?

What to ask providers

A few questions specific to aquamation:

• Do you perform the process on-site, or do you transport the body to another facility? (Some funeral homes contract with a central aquamation facility.)
• What happens to the liquid byproduct?
• Is the process licensed and inspected by the state?
• Can family members be present for any part of the process?

Pre-planning aquamation

If you want aquamation for yourself, document your preference clearly and specifically in your advance funeral planning documents. Stating "I want cremation" may not be interpreted as aquamation unless you use the specific terms — alkaline hydrolysis, aquamation, or water cremation.

Pre-planning with a specific provider (and potentially pre-paying) locks in your wishes and can protect your family from having to locate a provider under time pressure. If you pre-plan and then move to a state where aquamation is not legal, verify that your plan can be transferred or fulfilled in your new location.

For broader guidance on pre-planning, see How to pre-plan a funeral.

Religious perspectives on aquamation

Catholic Church: The Catholic Church has not formally approved aquamation as an acceptable method of disposition. The Church's guidance on cremation (2016) requires that cremated remains be kept together and buried in a cemetery or columbarium — but aquamation itself has not received explicit permission from the Vatican. Practicing Catholics should consult their diocese before choosing aquamation.

Judaism: Traditional Orthodox Jewish law requires burial of the body in the earth without cremation or chemical dissolution. Conservative and Reform movements generally defer to personal conscience. Observant Jews should consult their rabbi.

Islam: Traditional Islamic practice requires burial of the intact body, and most scholars consider any form of cremation or dissolution impermissible. Observant Muslims should consult their imam.

Most Protestant Christian denominations: Generally neutral on disposition method, as is Hinduism, Buddhism, and most other traditions that already accept cremation.

No religious affiliation: No restrictions apply.

If religious considerations are important to you, confirm the position of your faith tradition with a religious leader before making arrangements.

Aquamation and green burial: how they compare

Both aquamation and green burial are chosen primarily for environmental reasons, but they are very different experiences:

• Aquamation returns remains to the family and allows for a traditional urn, memorial service, and scattering or placement in a columbarium.
• Green burial involves the natural decomposition of the body in a conservation burial ground, without embalming, without a concrete vault, and often in a biodegradable shroud or casket. No remains are returned.

Many families who want an environmentally responsible choice prefer aquamation because it retains the tradition of keeping or scattering the remains. Others prefer green burial for a completely natural return to the earth.

For a full comparison of green burial options, see Green burial guide: options, costs, and how to plan. For a broader cost comparison across all disposition methods, see Cremation vs. burial: costs and considerations.

Frequently asked questions

Is aquamation sanitary?

Yes. The alkaline hydrolysis process is extremely effective at breaking down pathogens. The liquid byproduct is sterile. Aquamation facilities are regulated and inspected by state agencies in states where the process is legal. Many academic and medical institutions use alkaline hydrolysis for donated bodies.

Can I scatter the ashes after aquamation?

Yes. The remains from aquamation behave identically to remains from flame cremation for purposes of scattering. The same legal requirements apply — many public lands, beaches, and waterways allow scattering with or without a permit, depending on jurisdiction.

Is the process different for babies and children?

Aquamation facilities that accept decedents of all ages process infants and children using appropriately sized vessels and adjusted parameters. The process is the same in principle. Some families find the gentler nature of water cremation particularly appropriate for young children.

Do funeral homes perform aquamation on-site?

Some do; many do not. A funeral home may offer aquamation as a service while contracting with a regional facility that has the equipment. This is legal and common, similar to how some funeral homes contract out for flame cremation. Ask specifically whether the process is performed on-site or transported elsewhere.

What if aquamation is not available in my state?

If aquamation is not legal in your state, you have two options: transport the body to a neighboring state where it is legal (some families do this; there are logistics and costs involved), or wait and monitor your state's legislation. Several states have considered or passed aquamation legislation in recent years. If this is your preferred option, document your wishes and revisit the legal status closer to the time arrangements need to be made.

What Passings Can Help With

Passings makes it easier to find aquamation providers and to document your wishes before arrangements need to be made.

The Passings marketplace includes aquamation and alkaline hydrolysis providers where they are available. You can review providers, compare services, and connect directly — without the time pressure that makes these decisions harder.

If you are pre-planning for yourself, the Passings planner gives you a place to document your disposition preferences specifically and completely, so your family knows exactly what you want and can act on it quickly.

Disclaimer — For informational purposes only

This article is compiled from publicly available resources and is provided solely for general informational purposes. It does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, psychological, or other professional advice. Passings is a planning and organizational platform, not a licensed advisory service, and no attorney-client, financial advisor-client, or other professional relationship is created by reading this content.

Laws, regulations, financial products, and professional standards vary by state and change over time. Passings makes no representations or warranties — express or implied — regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of any information contained herein. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Passings disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from your use of or reliance on this content. Always consult a qualified, licensed professional — including an attorney, financial advisor, CPA, or licensed counselor — before making decisions specific to your situation.

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