Alkaline hydrolysis (sometimes called water cremation) is an environmentally friendly alternative to burial or traditional flame cremation. You may also hear the term Aquamation, which is a brand name used by one company that manufactures the equipment for this process.
Alkaline hydrolysis uses an alkaline solution, gentle heat, and sometimes mild pressure or agitation, depending on the equipment used, to gently dissolve the soft tissues of the body over several hours.
At the end of the process, what remains is:
- Soft bone fragments, which are dried and processed into a fine powder, similar to cremated remains from flame cremation.
- A sterile liquid solution composed of amino acids, sugars, peptides, and salts which can be safely released to the municipal sewage system.
People choose alkaline hydrolysis because of its environmental advantages. Compared with flame cremation , the process uses far less energy, and does not release pollutants into the air. Compared with traditional burial, no metal or concrete is consumed, and no toxic chemicals such as those used in embalming are leached into the soil.
How the Process Works
The alkaline compounds used in this process are common substances that are also used to make everyday products such as soap, household cleaners, fertilizers, and some foods.
They include potassium or sodium hydroxide, and sometimes ethanol. The alkaline solution is caustic in concentrated form, but is rendered fairly neutral during the process and before it leaves the facility its pH level is carefully balanced to make it safe for wastewater treatment systems.
The alkaline hydrolysis process usually takes 4–8 hours, although it may be longer depending on the equipment and chemicals used, and the size of the body. Embalmed bodies can undergo water cremation, but it takes longer to complete. During the process, the toxic compunds used for embalming are broken down and rendered harmless.
Alkaline hydrolysis does not require any sort of container for the body. But a simple shroud made of wool or silk can be used if the family wishes.
Availability
Although many people are unfamiliar with alkaline hydrolysis, the technology was originally developed in the 1880s for use with large animals in agricultural settings. It has been employed in some medical facilites for cadavers used for medical education since the 1990s, and more recently for pet remains.
Over the last few years, it has been legalized for human use in a growing number of states, including Maryland. As of 2026, Maryland has one operational facility, located in Baltimore, where the cost is between $4,000 and $5,000.
Because alkaline hydrolysis facilities are still relatively rare, some accept bodies from outside their region or from other states, although transporting a body long distances can add significant cost.