Alkaline Hydrolysis: the Water-based Alternative to Cremation

More families are looking for a cremation-like option that avoids fire, or one with a lower environmental footprint. Alkaline hydrolysis, also called water cremation, aquamation, or biocremation, offers exactly that. The process produces results similar to flame cremation while using an entirely different method.

This article covers what alkaline hydrolysis involves, how it compares to traditional cremation, where it is available, and what practical steps to take if you want to pursue it.

What Alkaline Hydrolysis Is

Alkaline hydrolysis is a body disposition method that uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation to accelerate natural decomposition. A sealed chamber holds the body in a solution of roughly 95% water and 5% alkali, typically potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. When the process is complete, the family receives processed bone remains that serve the same memorial purposes as remains from flame cremation.

The Cremation Association of North America classifies alkaline hydrolysis as a form of cremation because the practical outcome for families is comparable. Depending on the provider or state, you may also see it called resomation, flameless cremation, or green cremation.

How the Process Works

Understanding what actually happens can help cut through the uncertainty. The steps below follow the general sequence, though specific equipment varies by manufacturer.

Placement in the chamber. The body is placed in a sealed stainless-steel vessel that holds roughly 100 gallons of liquid. The operator adds water and the alkaline solution, with the exact amounts determined by the individual's body mass.

Heat, pressure, and time. The vessel is heated to between 199 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit under pressure to prevent the liquid from boiling. The cycle takes anywhere from 4 to 16 hours. Higher temperatures around 350 degrees typically complete in 4 to 6 hours; lower temperatures around 208 degrees may require 14 to 16 hours.

What happens to soft tissue. The combination of water and alkali breaks down soft tissues through a process called hydrolysis. This converts tissue into a sterile liquid containing amino acids, peptides, sugars, and salts. When the process is complete, no tissue or DNA remains in the liquid.

What happens to bone. The mineral bone structure, primarily calcium phosphate, survives the process intact. Bone fragments are removed, rinsed, dried, and pulverized into a fine white powder. Because the water-based process preserves more bone structure than flame cremation, families typically receive about 32% more remains by volume, which may require a slightly larger urn.

Implants and medical devices. Unlike flame cremation, which requires removal of pacemakers and other devices due to extreme heat, alkaline hydrolysis generally does not require implant removal unless local law specifically mandates it.

What Families Receive and What Happens to the Water

Two questions come up consistently for families considering this option.

What comes back to you. You receive processed bone remains: a white or off-white powder that serves the same memorial functions as traditional cremated remains. These can be placed in an urn, scattered where legally permitted, or incorporated into jewelry and other keepsakes.

What happens to the liquid. The sterile liquid, totaling roughly 350 gallons per body, is drained after processing. It consists of water with dissolved salts, amino acids, and sugars, comparable to the natural byproducts of decomposition but in a sterile, accelerated form. Before discharge, the pH is neutralized and the effluent enters municipal wastewater treatment systems in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. Some facilities divert this nutrient-rich liquid for fertilizer use, depending on local rules and provider practices.

One misconception worth clearing up: the liquid is not returned to your family, nor does it contain tissue or DNA. It enters standard sewage treatment infrastructure, handled similarly to biodegradable waste from hospitals or households.

Why Some Families Choose Alkaline Hydrolysis

People choose this method for a range of reasons, and none of them need to dominate.

Some find the idea of water-based decomposition gentler or more aligned with how the body breaks down naturally. Others have a personal aversion to fire and appreciate having an alternative that still allows for memorialization with returned remains.

Environmental impact drives many decisions as well. Alkaline hydrolysis uses approximately 90% less energy than flame cremation and produces no direct air emissions during the process. Flame cremation in the US contributes over 360,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, along with mercury vapor from dental amalgam released into the atmosphere. Alkaline hydrolysis avoids both. For families who care about their environmental footprint, this is a meaningful distinction.

Finally, some families simply want an option beyond burial or standard cremation, and alkaline hydrolysis fills that space.

Alkaline Hydrolysis vs. Flame Cremation

Process. Flame cremation exposes the body to roughly 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit using natural gas or propane for about two hours. Alkaline hydrolysis operates at 199 to 350 degrees using heated water and alkali, taking 4 to 16 hours. Both require trained operators and licensed facilities.

Environment. Alkaline hydrolysis produces no direct air emissions and uses roughly 90% less energy than flame cremation. The primary environmental considerations are water use and wastewater management rather than atmospheric emissions.

Remains. Both methods result in processed bone remains that can be stored, scattered, or kept for memorialization. Alkaline hydrolysis typically yields about 32% more material, with remains that are often lighter in color and finer in texture than those from flame cremation. Memorial service options are essentially identical either way.

Practical differences. Implant removal is generally not required for alkaline hydrolysis, while flame cremation requires removal of devices that could damage equipment under extreme heat. Most significantly for decision-making: flame cremation is available everywhere, while alkaline hydrolysis is limited to specific regions even where legal. Access to a provider may ultimately be the deciding factor.

Is It Legal Where You Live?

As of 2026, alkaline hydrolysis is legal in approximately 28 to 30 U.S. states, with the number shifting as legislation continues to evolve. States where it is currently legal include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Washington, among others. Minnesota was the first to legalize it in 2003; Arizona followed as recently as 2023.

Legalization is not the same as availability. Even in states where the process is permitted, operating facilities may be limited or nonexistent. You may need to arrange for your loved one to be transported to a facility in a neighboring state. Regulations also vary on whether funeral homes can perform the process on-site or must use a specialized third-party facility.

Before making any plans, confirm both that the process is legal in your state and that an active provider exists within workable distance, or check whether your local funeral home can arrange out-of-state transport and the return of remains.

How to Find a Provider and What to Ask

Where to start. The Cremation Association of North America maintains a member directory where you can search for businesses listed under "Crematory, Alkaline Hydrolysis." U.S. Funerals Online also maintains directories of aquamation providers by state. If no provider operates in your area, contact local funeral homes to ask whether they coordinate transfers to out-of-state facilities. Many can arrange transportation and the return of remains, though this adds time and cost.

Questions to ask a provider:

• Is alkaline hydrolysis available through your facility directly, or do you coordinate with an out-of-state partner?
• What does the quoted price include, and what is billed separately, such as transportation, death certificates, or urns?
• How long will the full process take, including return of remains?
• Are there local legal requirements regarding implants or documentation?
• What urn size do you recommend, given the higher volume of remains?
• How is the effluent handled under your local regulations?

On cost. Pricing varies significantly by provider, state, and whether transport is involved. No standardized national pricing exists. Ask for a written, itemized quote and compare it with other local options on an equal-item basis before committing.

Is Alkaline Hydrolysis Right for You?

This option tends to work well for families who want a cremation-like outcome but prefer to avoid fire, those with a strong interest in reducing their environmental impact, and pre-planners who want to document a less common preference early while confirming provider access.

It may not be the best fit if no provider operates nearby and logistics are a concern, if family members strongly prefer a more familiar option, or if you need to move quickly and cannot yet confirm availability and pricing in your area.

Common Questions

Is this the same as cremation? From a practical standpoint, yes. Industry groups classify it as a form of cremation because the outcome for families is similar: processed remains that can be kept, scattered, or used for memorialization. The process is entirely different, but the end result for disposition planning is comparable.

Is it safe and regulated? Where legal, alkaline hydrolysis is regulated and performed by licensed professionals. The effluent is sterilized before disposal, and equipment must meet standards for pressurized vessels and chemical handling.

Does the family get ashes? You receive processed bone remains, not ash from burning. These serve identical memorial functions to traditional cremated remains and fit into a standard urn or a slightly larger one to accommodate the higher volume.

Can you still hold a service? Yes. Viewings, memorial gatherings, and celebrations of life are all compatible with alkaline hydrolysis, just as they are with flame cremation or burial. The disposition method does not limit your ceremony options.

Can you pre-plan this? Yes, but confirm the details first. Verify that providers in your area are operating, document your wishes in writing with your chosen funeral home or pre-planning service, and note that state regulations may continue to change.

What to Do Next

Alkaline hydrolysis is a legitimate, water-based alternative to flame cremation. It returns processed bone remains to your family, uses significantly less energy, and produces no direct air emissions. Whether it is right for you comes down to three things: your personal comfort with the process, your environmental priorities, and whether you can realistically access a provider.

The practical next steps are straightforward. Check your state's current legal status, confirm that an active provider exists within workable distance, and request a written itemized quote before making any final decisions. With that information, you will have what you need to make a clear, informed choice.