We've heard a lot about water cremation in the news recently with reports that Co-op Funeralcare is preparing to offer water cremation as an alternative to cremation or traditional burial.
Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, flameless cremation, bio-cremation, resomation, or aquamation, is the process of disposing of a person's body using water, chemicals and heat. Water cremation is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a more sustainable option for the future.
The concept is new to the UK and it has lots of people talking about it. To understand more about what water cremation is, we've done a little research. It's never nice talking about what happens after we die, and some of the language used can feel a little distressing. There are lots of choices you have to make in planning a funeral, for yourself or a loved one, so we try and explore new concepts in funeral care to help educate and make talking about death and dying a little easier.
The process works by mixing water with potassium hydroxide, heated to 160 degrees Celsius. The person's body is placed in a pressure vessel, with the water mix added. The water does not boil due to the pressure in the vessel, rather it works to break down the contents. At the end of the process, you are left with soft bones which are dried and can be given to the family as ashes, much like with a traditional cremation.
According to a story on
BirminghamLive:
"Co-op Funeralcare has a new type of burial practice on offer for its customers that is thought to be more sustainable. Resomation - water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis - is being offered as an alternative to cremation or a traditional burial.
"It is considered a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable funeral practice. On Sunday, the funeral director announced it would be introducing water cremations later this year to certain pilot locations across the UK - with the possibility of expanding in the future."
BirminghamLive adds: "While many of us in the UK may've not ever heard of it before, it's reportedly becoming 'increasingly popular in the USA, Canada and South Africa'. Co-op also notes the practice could also be made available in Ireland this year."
Water cremation is already legal in a number of countries, including South Africa.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu received a water cremation following his death in 2021.
Nothing is known yet about how much a water cremation will cost.
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