Aquamation: Environmentally-Friendly, Gentle, Water-Based Pet Aftercare

Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is water-based cremation; we believe it is the future of aftercare options for companion animals. Unlike traditional flame-based cremation, aquamation utilizes a gentle water-based process that returns your pet's remains to nature in a respectful and sustainable way. This innovative method uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to accelerate the natural breaking-down of organic materials, leaving behind only pure, white bone fragments that can be returned to you.

Why Choose Water-Based Cremation

Choosing aquamation with Eternal Tides means embracing an environmentally friendly method that honors the natural life cycle and offers peace-of-mind during a difficult time. We are committed to providing compassionate and professional care, ensuring that your pet’s journey is handled with the utmost respect and dignity.

We are proudly pioneering aquamation to Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, and the surrounding areas. It is a gentle and eco-friendly alternative to traditional aftercare options.

Why Choose Aquamation?

  • Eco-Conscious: Aquamation uses only about 10% of the energy required for traditional flame-based cremation and produces minimal harmful emissions, making it a sustainable choice for honoring your pet.

  • Gentle and Respectful: The process is designed to be gentle, sustainable, and meaningful to offer your pet a dignified return to nature.

  • Water: Aquamation uses less water per cycle than a single U.S. household uses daily. According to the EPA, the average US family uses about 300 gallons of water every day.

  • Safety: The process completely breaks down both RNA and DNA; it denatures proteins in all pathogens including bacteria and viruses: remains are 100% safe to handle. Alkaline hydrolysis is a proven sterilization process that results in pathogen and disease free remains.

  • Body: Aquamation accelerates the natural decomposition process: Where nature requires months to reduce an animal, aquamation only requires about 15-20 hours.

  • Remains: On average, families receive 20% more “ashes” through water-based cremation. The cremation remains, or “cremains” are a fine sand-like material and they can be returned in a variety of vessels.

For more information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Water heated to 200°F, alkaline chemicals, pressure, and time - 90% less energy and Minimal emissions of harmful pollutants - 20% more bone “ash” volume compared to cremation, with a white, sand-like texture

Aquamation Stories

WDAY (Local): 'She was family': Pet lovers now have the option of aquamation with Eternal Tides
By Kevin Wallevand, November 27, 2024

The Forum (Local): New aquamation service in Fargo is 'gentler, sustainable' way to say goodbye to your pet
By Tammy Swift, November 06, 2024

Smithsonian: Could Water Cremation Become the New American Way of Death?
By Lauren Oster, July 27, 2022

TIME: How Their Son’s Death Drove His Parents to Find an Alternative to Tradition
By Melissa Chan, March 7, 2022

American Animal Hospital Association: Aquamation: The Green Alternative to Fire Cremation
By Jen Reeder, Apr 1, 2022

Atlantic: You Don’t Have to Cremate Your Cat
By Eleanor Cummins, June 13, 2023

CNN: What is aquamation? The green alternative to cremation chosen by Desmond Tutu
By Ghazi Balkiz and Jennifer Hauser, CNN, Updated January 2, 2022

New York Times: An Alternative to Burial and Cremation Gains Popularity
By Jonah Engel Bromwich, Oct. 19, 2017

MPR: Liquid cremation provides greener alternative to traditional methods
By Phil Picardi and Lukas Levin, June 13, 2023

BBC: Desmond Tutu: Body of South African hero to be aquamated
By Natasha Booty, December 31, 2021