Aquamation vs. Cremation: Understanding Your Options

When planning end-of-life arrangements, deciding between aquamation and cremation is an important choice that reflects personal values, environmental concerns, and financial considerations. Both options provide respectful ways to care for human remains, yet they differ significantly in their processes, outcomes, and legal availability. For many, understanding these distinctions is essential to making a decision that aligns with their priorities and beliefs.

In This Article

In this post, we’ll explore the processes, environmental impacts, costs, and legalities of aquamation and cremation. By the end, you’ll have the clarity needed to choose the option that’s best for you or your loved one.

The Process: Aquamation vs. Cremation

Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, uses a combination of water, alkali, heat, and pressure to break down organic materials. This process closely mimics natural decomposition, but it occurs in just a few hours rather than months or years. After the process is complete, the remaining bones are dried and processed into ashes, similar to traditional cremation.

Cremation relies on intense heat to reduce the body to ash and bone fragments. The body is placed in a chamber where temperatures of up to 1,800°F break it down over a period of one to three hours. The remaining bones are processed into fine ash and returned to the family.

While both methods achieve similar end results, the environmental impact, energy usage, and amount of ash produced differ significantly.

Is Aquamation More Eco-Friendly Than Cremation?

Aquamation is often praised for its reduced environmental impact compared to traditional cremation. It requires less energy and does not release greenhouse gases or pollutants like mercury from dental fillings, which are emitted during cremation.

Cremation, although widely used, contributes to carbon emissions due to the high temperatures required. The process also produces airborne pollutants, which have raised concerns among environmental advocates.

For those seeking a greener option, aquamation offers a more sustainable choice, as it minimizes environmental harm while providing a respectful disposition of the body.

Aquamation vs. Cremation Costs: Which Is Better?

Cost is a significant factor when deciding between aquamation and cremation.

Aquamation Costs: Aquamation is often slightly more expensive than traditional cremation due to the specialized equipment and limited availability of facilities. Prices can range from $2,000 to $3,500, depending on location and services included.
Cremation Costs: Cremation is typically more affordable, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for direct cremation. Services like memorial ceremonies or urn upgrades may add to the overall expense.

While aquamation may have a higher upfront cost, some families view its environmental benefits as a worthwhile investment.

Why Does Aquamation Produce More Ash Than Cremation?

One of the unique differences between aquamation and cremation is the amount of ash produced. Aquamation typically results in more ash because the process preserves more of the bone structure. In cremation, intense heat reduces some bone material to vapor, which decreases the final volume of ash.

For families who wish to divide ashes among loved ones or incorporate them into keepsakes, the higher volume of ashes from aquamation may be an advantage.

Where Is Aquamation Legal in the U.S. and Canada?

The legality of aquamation varies by region, with laws evolving as the practice gains acceptance.

United States: Aquamation is legal in many states, including California, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado. However, availability depends on local providers and regulations.
Canada: Aquamation is legal and available in most provinces, including British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The service is expanding as awareness grows.

If you’re considering aquamation, it’s important to confirm its legality and availability in your area.

Steps to Planning an Aquamation

Planning an aquamation involves several key steps:

Research Providers: Locate a licensed provider offering aquamation services in your area.
Understand Costs: Request a breakdown of fees to understand the total cost.
Choose an Urn or Memorial: Decide how you’d like to preserve or memorialize the ashes.
Check Legal Requirements: Ensure all necessary permits and paperwork are completed.
Personalize the Service: Plan a memorial or celebration of life event that aligns with your loved one’s wishes.

With proper planning, aquamation can be a meaningful and environmentally conscious choice for end-of-life care.

Aquamation vs Cremation: Summary Table

Here’s a suggested comparative table for aquamation vs. cremation, summarizing key differences:

Feature	Aquamation	Cremation
Process	Uses water, alkali, heat, and pressure to break down the body.	Uses intense heat to reduce the body to ash.
Energy Usage	Lower energy usage compared to cremation.	High energy usage due to extreme heat.
Environmental Impact	No greenhouse gas emissions; minimal pollution.	Emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Handling of Implants	Pacemakers and metal implants remain intact and can be recycled.	Pacemakers must be removed beforehand; metals may not be recyclable.
Ash Quantity	Produces more ash because it preserves more bone material. See also: Aquamation ash.	Produces less ash due to partial vaporization of bone. See also: Cremation ashes.
Cost	Typically $2,000–$3,500, depending on location.	Typically $1,000–$2,500 for direct cremation.
Time Required	Typically 6–8 hours (can extend to 12–16 hours in low-temperature systems).	1–3 hours depending on the body size and equipment.
Legal Availability	Legal in select U.S. states and most Canadian provinces.	Widely available in most regions worldwide.
Cultural Acceptance	Increasing awareness but less widely accepted culturally. See religions.	Long-standing cultural and religious acceptance. See religions.
Ash Appearance	Finer and lighter-colored ashes.	Coarser and darker-colored ashes.