Aquamation, or alkaline hydrolysis, has gained attention as a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. This process uses water, heat, and alkali to accelerate the natural decomposition of a body, leaving behind only bone fragments and a sterile liquid byproduct. It is heralded for its lower environmental impact, using less energy and emitting fewer pollutants compared to flame-based cremation. Despite these benefits, aquamation remains illegal in certain regions of the United States and Canada. This post will explore the reasons behind the legal hurdles aquamation faces and examine the challenges of widespread acceptance.
1. Lack of Legislative Framework
One of the primary reasons aquamation is not yet legal in all areas is the absence of a comprehensive legislative framework. Many provinces and states have not yet established laws that specifically address or regulate the process. In the absence of existing regulations, lawmakers often hesitate to authorize a new and unfamiliar method of body disposition.
This situation is not unique to aquamation. The introduction of any new technology—especially one related to death care—tends to move slowly through governmental bodies. Without laws on the books, there’s simply no clear legal pathway for funeral homes and crematories to adopt aquamation. In many places, the lack of legislation is seen as an oversight, rather than an outright prohibition. Lawmakers and regulatory agencies must draft, discuss, and pass laws before aquamation can be legally offered.
2. Concerns Over Wastewater Disposal
One of the most contentious issues regarding aquamation is what to do with the liquid byproduct, often called “effluent,” which remains after the body has decomposed. The effluent, while sterile and containing no human tissue, is typically disposed of through the wastewater system. This has led to public unease in some areas.
Opponents argue that the thought of human remains, albeit in liquid form, being flushed into the sewage system feels uncomfortable or disrespectful. This concern is more emotional and cultural than scientific, but it has nonetheless played a significant role in the resistance to aquamation legalization.
In some cases, wastewater treatment facilities have voiced concerns about their ability to handle the effluent, even though aquamation facilities ensure that the liquid is neutralized and safe. Some municipalities are simply not equipped or willing to manage the outflow, which becomes a regulatory issue. Until municipalities find acceptable disposal solutions, aquamation remains in limbo.
3. Resistance from the Funeral Industry
The funeral industry is another obstacle to aquamation’s widespread legalization. Traditional funeral homes and crematoriums may see aquamation as a disruption to established business models, particularly for those heavily invested in conventional cremation and burial services.
Shifting from flame-based cremation to aquamation would require significant investments in new equipment and staff training. Funeral homes, many of which are family-owned and have long-established practices, may be reluctant to make these changes. Additionally, they may fear losing revenue from traditional services, such as embalming and caskets, which are typically bypassed in aquamation.
In regions where the funeral industry holds sway in local politics, lobbying efforts have sometimes slowed aquamation’s progress. The power of these businesses, combined with their financial interests, can contribute to legislative delays.
4. Cultural and Religious Resistance
Cultural and religious traditions play a critical role in how societies view death and how bodies are treated after death. In many regions, the concept of aquamation challenges long-standing beliefs about proper respect for the dead.
For example, certain Christian denominations emphasize the sanctity of the body and prefer traditional burial methods. While flame-based cremation has become more widely accepted among Christians, the notion of dissolving a body in a liquid solution can feel disconcerting and undignified to some religious groups.
In Jewish and Islamic traditions, burial in the earth is often required, and cremation is forbidden. While aquamation could theoretically be argued to be closer to a natural decomposition process, many religious leaders and communities are hesitant to embrace the practice. For these groups, resistance to aquamation isn’t necessarily based on scientific concerns but on deeply held cultural and religious beliefs.
5. Lack of Public Awareness and Understanding
Another significant barrier to aquamation’s legalization in some areas is a lack of public awareness. Many people simply don’t know what aquamation is or how it works. This unfamiliarity can breed skepticism or discomfort, especially when faced with a process that is seen as unconventional compared to flame cremation or burial.
When presented with something new—especially in a space as emotionally charged as death care—people often need time to understand and accept the concept. Misconceptions about the process, particularly regarding the effluent and the idea of liquefying the body, can create public opposition.
In areas where lawmakers and the general population are unfamiliar with aquamation, the lack of understanding often slows its approval. Public education and awareness campaigns will be critical to changing perceptions and generating support for legalizing the process.
6. Environmental Regulations
Despite aquamation’s eco-friendly reputation, it still faces some challenges from environmental regulators. While the process uses significantly less energy than flame cremation and produces fewer harmful emissions, its water usage can be a concern in regions where water is a precious resource. Drought-prone areas, for example, may hesitate to adopt a process that requires hundreds of gallons of water per body, even though the water is reused within the system.
Additionally, wastewater treatment facilities may raise concerns about their ability to process the effluent, despite its sterility. Environmental regulators need to ensure that the introduction of aquamation does not negatively impact local ecosystems or the infrastructure used for wastewater treatment.
7. Slow Legislative Adoption in Conservative Regions
In more conservative regions of the US and Canada, changes to death care practices are often met with greater resistance. For centuries, traditional burial has been the norm, and flame cremation has only recently gained acceptance. Introducing a third option can feel like too much too soon for communities that are more conservative in their approach to cultural and social change.
Legislators in these areas may take a more cautious approach, waiting to see how aquamation is received in other parts of the country or province before moving forward with legislation. The slow pace of change in these areas reflects broader cultural attitudes toward innovation and the disruption of long-standing traditions.
8. The Future of Aquamation
Despite the obstacles, aquamation is gaining ground. Several states and provinces have already legalized the process, and funeral homes are increasingly offering it as an option where it is legal. The environmental benefits, combined with growing public demand for greener funeral options, are slowly but surely pushing aquamation toward broader acceptance.
As public awareness grows, and as lawmakers better understand the process and its benefits, it is likely that aquamation will become legal in more regions across the US and Canada. In the meantime, addressing concerns about wastewater disposal, cultural acceptance, and religious opposition will be key to overcoming the remaining hurdles.
An Appealing Option
Aquamation’s path to legalization has been slowed by a combination of regulatory, cultural, and business-related factors. However, its environmental advantages make it an appealing option for many. Over time, as public perception shifts and legislative frameworks catch up with the technology, aquamation may become a widely accepted choice for body disposition in North America. Until then, its legality will remain a patchwork across the continent, with some regions embracing the practice and others taking a wait-and-see approach.
