When faced with the death of a loved one, British Columbians can only choose between burial and fire cremation. There is another alternative, already offered in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland/Labrador and the Northwest Territories, and that is alkaline hydrolysis, aka aquamation.
What is alkaline hydrolysis aka aquamation?
It is a method of final disposition that is available in only a few provinces as an alternative for cremation.
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.
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.
Why is Aquamation important?
It is important for a few reasons.
Not only do the residence of BC deserve more diverse options for final disposition that can better reflect the vales that we hold in life, but is is also important for our planet. When compared to any other form of disposition available, Aquamation has a staggeringly smaller carbon footprint, both in the process, and its ability to save valuable implants and recycle Medical Implants. And that's just the beginning!
Not only do the residence of BC deserve more diverse options for final disposition that can better reflect the vales that we hold in life, but is is also important for our planet. When compared to any other form of disposition available, Aquamation has a staggeringly smaller carbon footprint, both in the process, and its ability to save valuable implants and recycle Medical Implants. And that's just the beginning!
What is the Environmental Impact of aquamation?
With Aquamation, there are no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases or mercury to the atmosphere. This process does not burn any fossil fuels. It is very energy efficient – greater than 90% energy savings compared to flame cremation, with 1/10th of the carbon footprint.
The Aquamation process uses less water than a single household uses in one day. This includes all of the water used for the process, along with the clean water rinsing of the final remains and vessel.
The water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility. The Aquamation 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.
With flame cremation, mercury contained in the amalgam of teeth becomes vaporized and released to the air. A 2015 study by on how much mercury we actually have in our teeth, yielded a result of 2.3 grams per subject. As USA’s current cremation rate of 50%, baby boomers alone will contribute 190,148.7 pounds of mercury to the atmosphere. Though alkaline hydrolysis the mercury remains intact, bound in the teeth, and these teeth are recycled through an EPA-approved dental amalgam handler. Release of mercury from fillings to the environment is completely prevented.
Medical implants are not destroyed in this process. The metals are clean, sterilized, and look brand new after the process. These metals are recycled through a metal refiner to be made into new materials.
Click Here for a Deeper Look!
The Aquamation process uses less water than a single household uses in one day. This includes all of the water used for the process, along with the clean water rinsing of the final remains and vessel.
The water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility. The Aquamation 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.
With flame cremation, mercury contained in the amalgam of teeth becomes vaporized and released to the air. A 2015 study by on how much mercury we actually have in our teeth, yielded a result of 2.3 grams per subject. As USA’s current cremation rate of 50%, baby boomers alone will contribute 190,148.7 pounds of mercury to the atmosphere. Though alkaline hydrolysis the mercury remains intact, bound in the teeth, and these teeth are recycled through an EPA-approved dental amalgam handler. Release of mercury from fillings to the environment is completely prevented.
Medical implants are not destroyed in this process. The metals are clean, sterilized, and look brand new after the process. These metals are recycled through a metal refiner to be made into new materials.
Click Here for a Deeper Look!
What can you do to help?
Since 2012, several funeral directors and supporters have been meeting with Consumer Protection BC, as they regulate the cemetery and funeral services in the province, known as the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act.
Presentations were made, meetings were held, information was submitted and 10 years later, we are still waiting for our province to finally approve this alternative to burial and fire cremation.
Presentations were made, meetings were held, information was submitted and 10 years later, we are still waiting for our province to finally approve this alternative to burial and fire cremation.
We compiled a few videos for you to watch and learn about this technology.
If you prefer a written version of alkaline hydrolysis, and the history behind it, you can download a printable version here.
If you prefer a written version of alkaline hydrolysis, and the history behind it, you can download a printable version here.
What is alkaline hydrolysis?An excellent 4 minute video from the Mayo Clinic, one of the first installations of alkaline hydrolysis in 2006.
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CBC interview 2020Interview with a B.C. citizen about aquamation and a funeral director.
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Desmond TutuLong known as not only an anti-apartheid activist and theologian, but also a champion of environmental causes, Desmond Tutu chose aquamation.
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