What is Aquamation?

• Aquamation, or alkaline hydrolysis, is a method of final disposition that is available for both our human and pet loved ones. The scientific name for this water-based process is alkaline hydrolysis. It is the same process that occurs as part of nature’s course when a body is laid to rest in the soil. A combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity are used to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials.

What’s up with “hydrolysis”?

• A hydrolysis reaction is any type of reaction where bonds are cleaved by the insertion of water molecules. With alkaline hydrolysis, a base is added to water to create an alkaline environment. This changes the behavior of the water molecules, causing them to dissociate into hydrogen and hydroxide ions. The solution is only 5% alkali (Eternal Tides uses KOH); 95% is water. Equally important to the process are the physical characteristics of the system (design), the continuous flow of the solution, and the heat. This all relates to collision theory and the rate and completeness of a reaction. Human bodies are 65% water to being with, along with fat, protein, minerals, and carbohydrates. During the process, fats are reduced to salts, protein to amino acids and small peptides (which are groups of a few amino acids) and carbohydrates are reduced to sugars. The process breaks down all organic materials into their most basic building blocks, so small that no trace of protein or nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) remain. The organics are dissolved into the water, which consists of 96% water and 4% amino acids, sugars, and salts by weigh

Where is Aquamation approved in the US?

• Aquamation for pets is currently approved for everywhere in the United States and Canada. As of February 2020, Aquamation for Humans is approved in 20 states 4 provinces, as well as other parts of the world. As of February 2020, Aquamation is legal for humans in: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa.

Are there “ashes” returned?

• Yes, usually 20-30% more ashes than one would receive from a flame cremation. At the end of the process, the inorganic remains of the body (the calcium phosphate of the bones) resemble skeletal remains. In North America and other parts of the world, it is customary to process the minerals into a powder for placement in an urn. This is the same processing step that is performed for the remains that result from flame cremation. Some cultures wish to keep the mineral remains as whole as possible for ceremonial burial, and because Aquamation is so gentle to the remains, it is the ideal process for this purpose.

Are the remains safe to handle?

• Yes, the ash remains are 100% safe to handle. Alkaline hydrolysis is a proven sterilization process that results in pathogen and disease free remains.

Are the remains different than those from flame cremation?

• The ashes from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone but can also be anything on or in the body at the time of cremation. The ashes from Aquamation are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the ash. The color of ash from a flame process is typically gray in color, from the carbon discoloration from burning. The color of ash from Aquamation is anywhere from white to a tan color. With both processes, there can be slight variations in color from individual to individual. The consistency of the ash is also different. The ash from flame cremation can be described as “chippy” bone fragments. The ash from Aquamation is a homogenous (consistent) powder. With Aquamation, there is 20-30% more ash remains returned to the family.

Does the process emit mercury to the air?

• No. With flame cremation (which operates above 1600°F) mercury contained in the amalgam of teeth becomes vaporized and released to the air. A 2015 study by a collaboration of researchers from University of Minnesota Dental School and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was the first to quantify how much mercury we actually have in our teeth. Their study yielded a result of 2.3 grams per subject. According to a podcast with Dr. Sandra Myers, at the US’s current cremation rate of 50%, baby boomers alone will contribute 190,148.7 pounds of mercury to the atmosphere. Mercury vaporizes at 674.1°F, and alkaline hydrolysis uses much lower temperatures of 200-300°F. The mercury remains intact and bound in the teeth.

How long does it take?

• The process takes 18-20 hours depending on the operating temperature of the equipment (around 200°F). A flame cremation, for comparison, takes 1-3 hours and takes place at 1600-1800°F.

What actually happens with Aquamation?

• When it’s time for the process, the individual body is respectfully placed in a stainless steel vessel. Alkali is added to the process and the vessel fills with water. The solution of 95% water and 5% alkali is heated to around 200°F; it is gently circulated for the entire length of the process. At the end of the process, all material is broken down to the smallest building blocks; there is no DNA or RNA remaining. The sterile process water is released for recycling (our bodies are approximately 65% water to begin with), and the vessel performs a fresh water rinse for the equipment and remains. When the operator opens the door, only the inorganic bone minerals remain. These minerals are processed into powder and returned to the family in an urn. This final processing step is the same process that is followed with flame cremation.

Are the ashes toxic to the environment or plants?

• Absolutely not. As with anything, toxicity of a substance is a function of concentration. Miracle grow is a fertilizer, but if over-applied, it can kill a plant. A daily multivitamin is not toxic when taken as directed, but it would be toxic (and likely deadly) if the whole bottle were to be taken. When spreading or scattering ashes, we need to pay mind to where we are scattering them. A cremation garden that allows the scattering of ashes from hundreds of individuals can be a tough environment for growing plants. In extreme cases, poor practices could result in contamination of the water table. For families wanting to use the ashes from Aquamation or flame cremation as part of a potting soil, allowing their loved one to live on through the plant, the ashes are certainly not toxic if the soil is properly prepared. Significantly diluting the calcium phosphate ashes with potting soil and a pH balancer to match your region and specific plant type makes the ashes beneficial to the plant instead of potentially toxic.

Are you serious about a pet funeral home?

• Absolutely. The human-animal bond is often as strong as, or stronger than, human-human bonds. Providing a dedicated space for memorializing a pet acknowledges the significance of this bond and supports healthy grief processing. Losing a pet can trigger symptoms of depression and anxiety. A pet funeral space offers a supportive environment for expressing grief, which can mitigate these mental health challenges. Rituals, including funerals, play a crucial role in helping individuals process grief and provide a sense of closure after the loss of a pet. Rituals offer a structured way to express emotions and can significantly reduce the intensity of grief. Grieving the loss of a pet is often a lonely process. A funeral space allows for communal support, where friends and family can gather, share memories, and support one another in their grief. Pet funerals are gaining cultural significance as they allow pet owners to honor their pets in a manner similar to human funerals, validating the grief process.