Aquamation: The Gentle, Eco-Friendly Alternative to Cremation

As more people explore environmentally friendly funerals conscious end-of-life choices, interest is growing in alternatives to traditional burial and flame cremation. One option that is increasingly discussed is aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis.

Aquamation is often described as a gentler, lower-impact process than conventional cremation. While it is not yet widely available in the UK, many families want to understand what it is, how it works, and whether it aligns with values around sustainability, simplicity, and care for the environment.

This guide explains aquamation clearly and compassionately — what it involves, how it compares to cremation and natural burial, its environmental considerations, and its current legal status in the UK.

What is Aquamation is a method of body disposition that uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to accelerate the natural decomposition process. Instead of using flames, as in traditional cremation, aquamation relies on a water-based system.

The process is sometimes referred to as:

• Water cremation

• Alkaline hydrolysis

• Bio-cremation

All these terms describe the same core method.

At the end of the process, the body is broken down into its basic components, leaving behind bone material and a sterile liquid. The bone material is processed into a fine powder, similar in appearance to cremated ashes, and can be returned to the family.

It is scientifically known as alkaline hydrolysis, and it has been used for over 25 years in medical and scientific fields before becoming available for human funerals. Archbishop Desmond Tutu famously chose aquamation for his own farewell, bringing global attention to the process.

The aquamation process mimics the natural decomposition that happens in the soil, but speeds it up.

The process generally involves the following steps:

1. The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel with a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali (usually potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide).

2. Gentle heat (not boiling) and movement help the natural breakdown of tissues, leaving only bone material after. The water is heated to around 150°C. Unlike cremation, there is no flame or combustion.

3. Natural decomposition occurs
   Over several hours (6–8 hours), soft tissues break down into their basic chemical components.

4. The remaining bones are dried and reduced to ashes—similar to cremation—then returned to the family in an urn.

5. The remaining liquid is treated: The water solution, containing amino acids, peptides, and nutrients, is sterilised and safely returned to the water system or used for environmental purposes.

People choose aquamation for many reasons, but the most common are environmental care and gentleness of the process.

Lower Carbon Footprint

• Uses 90% less energy than flame cremation

• Produces no direct emissions of greenhouse gases or mercury

• Avoids the need for large amounts of land and long-term maintenance

Gentle and Respectful

• Uses warm water and natural chemistry, not fire

• Returns remains in a soft, natural ash form

Safe and Sustainable

• The water solution is sterile and environmentally safe

• No burning of coffins, plastics, or synthetic materials

 

People researching aquamation are often also interested in natural burial, as both reflect a desire for gentler, more environmentally conscious choices.

Aquamation:

• Technological process

• No burial land required

• Produces ashes

• Limited availability in the UK

Natural burial:

• Body returns directly to the soil

• Supports biodiversity and conservation

• Often takes place in woodland or meadow settings

• Widely available across the UK

Natural burial grounds may allow ashes from cremation or aquamation to be scattered or buried, but many people who value simplicity and connection to land choose natural burial from the outset.

If this is of interest, you may find it helpful to explore:

• What is a natural burial?

• Natural burial grounds near me Map

The remains returned after aquamation are similar in appearance to cremated ashes, though they are often lighter in colour.

Families can usually choose to:

• Keep the ashes in an urn

• Scatter them in a meaningful place (where permitted)

• Bury them in a natural burial ground

• Incorporate them into a memorial

Each burial ground has its own rules, so it is always best to check what is permitted locally.

Aquamation may appeal to people who:

• Prefer cremation but want a lower-impact option

• Are open to newer funeral technologies

• Value gentleness and simplicity

However, it may not suit those who:

• Want a fully nature-based return to the land

• Prefer established UK practices

• Wish to be buried in a specific natural landscape

Exploring all options — including woodland burial, green burial, and eco-friendly coffins — can help families make informed choices.

The legal status of aquamation (also called water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis) in the UK is evolving, and there are important differences between the nations of the UK.

England & Wales

Under current funeral law, water cremation is not yet a fully established, widely available option in England and Wales. The existing legal framework — built around the Cremation Act 1902 and burial regulations — does not explicitly cover new body-disposal technologies like aquamation, even though there is no law that strictly prohibits the method itself. This creates a situation where funeral providers cannot routinely offer aquamation until clear regulations are adopted. The UK Law Commission has been reviewing new funerary methods (including aquamation and human composting) with the aim of recommending a modern regulatory framework, but formal legal change is still in progress.

Scotland

Scotland is ahead of the rest of the UK when it comes to aquamation law. Thanks to the more flexible regulatory powers in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, the Scottish Government has been actively consulting on how to introduce alkaline hydrolysis as a regulated alternative to burial and flame cremation. Draft regulations have now been laid before the Scottish Parliament that would formally allow water cremation as a funeral option once approved.

A public consultation in 2023 found very strong support (around 84%) for introducing water cremation in Scotland, and officials expect the new rules to pass into law soon, making Scotland the first part of the UK to legally permit this eco-friendly method.

However, even with regulation in place, no facility in Scotland is yet operational — so while the legal framework is being put in place, practical availability will follow only after facilities are built and licensed.

Aquamation offers a gentle, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional cremation or burial. While not yet widely available for human funerals in the UK, it represents a step forward in sustainable funeral practices.

For families who value environmental stewardship, aquamation may one day be as common as flame cremation—offering a farewell that treads lightly on the Earth while honouring life with dignity.

Aquamation: legal nail in burial and cremation's coffin? 

Watery Grave: One of the death care industrys greenest options is still illegal in 31 states and that needs to change

 

UK

Water cremation: sustainable body disposal is coming to Scotland – here are the benefits - A UK academic overview of aquamation, its environmental claims, and the Scottish legal position.

GovScot: Scottish Government – Sustainable Alternative to Cremation (Water Cremation Consultation). First new option since 1902 introduced. Scottish Government announcement and consultation on introducing water cremation.

Law Commission: New funerary methods: A comprehensive review of outdated burial and cremation law in England and Wales, including aquamation, human composting and other emerging methods.

Scottish Legal News: Draft regulations laid for water cremation. Public consultation showing strong support for introducing aquamation as a regulated funeral option in Scotland.

Law Commission: Burial and cremation. The Law Commission is seeking to reform the law of burial in England and Wales

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