Learn About Our Aquamation Process

What is the Aquamation Process

The alkaline hydrolysis water dissolution process ( Aquamation Process ) was originally invented by Drs. Gordon Kaye and Peter Weber at Albany Medical College in 1992. It was initially used for the disposing of livestock to destroy disease pathogens that caused Mad Cow, Scrapie, and many other viruses. Aquamation is now a preferred method for agricultural disposal that effectively removes the risk of further disease spread. As of today’s date there are over 100 Pet 400 systems in use, 20 human units, and over 100 commercial systems in operation!

The Pet 400 system we use, is proudly made in the U.S.A. 400 is the indication of how much weight we can process. In 2006, a single body human system was installed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Out of 150 families whom were asked to choose which method of disposition they preferred, (Aquamation versus Cremation), over 98% of the 150 families (148 choose this process) served since that time have opted for the alkaline hydrolysis method! This trend continues today as the technology is gaining acceptance in the funeral industry.

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Aquamation vs Burial vs Cremation

Why Choose Aquamation?

Aquamation offers families the opportunity to contribute to a gentle, greener process. Families can make a lasting contribution to the environment on behalf of their loving pet by making a decision that saves energy and reduces pollution. The traditional funeral ceremony and returning of the ashes remains unchanged. Family members make the Aquamation choice for the environment, as a gentler alternative way, and because it is much more dignified than the traditional cremation process.

More Reasons to Choose Aquamation:

• It is truly an environmentally, gentler alternative to burial or flame based cremation.
• Aquamation Process uses 90% less energy than cremation.
• Cremation temperatures often exceed 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, our process is 199-208 Fahrenheit which explains the dramatic reduction in energy consumption between Aquamation and cremation.
• 100% pollution free, no air emissions!
• Cremation releases significant particulate and greenhouse gas pollution each time it is operated.
• Traditional burial (natural decomposition) emits methane gas that can seep out along with other toxic fluids leaking into groundwater, the Aquamation Process does not.
• Titanium implants, plastic, even clothing are not affected in the Aquamation process and can be recycled, were as the metal would be charred in flame based cremation, and lost in traditional burial.
• By using our stainless steel ID tags, identity follows your pets remains through the water cremation, reassuring you are receiving your pet only.
• If you receive a cremation tag from fire that is not burnt, it NEVER followed the body. It is considered a Fake Tag!

How does the Aquamation Process work?

Aquamation is a disposition method that is essentially accelerated, natural decomposition, without the generation of methane gas, and it is an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial. It uses water to return the pet back to nature (the process of hydrolysis), since pets and humans are already made up of 60% to 80%water. The scientific name for Aquamation is Alkaline Hydrolysis. Other names include Water Cremation, Water Reduction, Natural Green Cremation, Dissolution, Resomation (trade name of Resomation, Scotland) and Bio-Cremation (trade name of Matthews International). This is the same process that occurs in nature when a pet is buried, only it is an accelerated, sterile process. The reason it is considered a green choice is because there are no releases of greenhouse gases, particulates, carbon monoxide, mercury, etc., that occurs in flame based cremation, or traditional burial.

During Aquamation, a body is very gently placed in a custom design clean stainless steel cradle. In this warm, gentle, water based cremation process we use combination of 95% water and 5% alkalinity that slowly flows through the cradle in a completely controlled environment. The alkali that is used is a mix of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), both inorganic compounds that are used in many applications like processing drinking water, soaps, detergents, food, pharmaceuticals, paper, cosmetics, textiles, and cleaning supplies that are common to home use. Our process uses a very small amount of alkali to accelerate hydrolysis with the warm water.

At the end of the Aquamation process, all that is left behind are the bone fragments just like the cremation process. This gentle cycle takes approximately 24 hours from start to finish, by returning the proteins and fats to constituent elements of amino acids, small peptides, sugars, salts and minerals. No DNA or RNA are found in the liquid fraction of the process at any time during the processing cycle. The sterile effluent can either be used for fertilizer, or as an excellent micronutrient package that benefits wastewater treatment plants. Our water is then returned back to nature via the normal water treatment facility where it is purified, filtered and recycled back to the earth through the natural tributaries. In essence, your pet is recycled (remember no RNA or DNA left)  without causing harm to the environment!

In the cycle of life we are returned to the earth, by promoting new life and growth which occurs naturally. The bone fragments are processed into a powdered granular consistency after the Aquamation process is complete and dried for several more days, receiving remains just like the flame based cremation.

Total time of the Aquamation Process can be anywhere to 7 to 10 days. The remains of your pet are then placed into a beautiful wooden urn. Your family has the choice to select from a wide variety of upgraded urns that are reasonably priced. Then your family can take the urn home, a feather or hair clippings, and place it in a cemetery or permanent memorial location, or even scatter the remains.

Does this process Boil or use Acid?

No! This method does not use acid, nor does it boil, as some opposition groups or organizations would have families believe. It is truly a dignified, gentle method, being the most environmentally friendly manner of disposition of any pet’s remains to date.

• The warm water and alkali yields an exothermic process contributing to heating of the process, breaking down except for the bones. Just like mother nature does.
• This process leaves only the bone fragments, the same as flame based cremation.
• Due to the heat of flame based cremation you can loss up to 20 % of your pet remains. If not 100% if they are very, very small. Where with us you receive up to 20% more of ONLY your family pets remains!
• Fire cremation can not guarantee your remains are only of your loved one, only we can due to the time we take with your loved one and the redesign of the system! https://m.flsenate.gov/statutes/497.608