Water Cremation Explained
As traditional burial space becomes scarce and environmental concerns grow, water cremation emerges as an innovative solution.
This process–scientifically termed ‘alkaline hydrolysis’–is transforming our approach to the final farewell.
Fundamentals of Alkaline Hydrolysis
Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a process that uses water, alkali, and heat to break down a body after death.
The alkali used is typically a blend of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.
This method is seen as a gentle alternative to flame cremation and an eco-friendlier option for final disposition.
Process and Mechanism
During water cremation, the body is placed in a stainless steel chamber where a solution of water and alkali is heated to an elevated temperature.
However, it is not boiling; think warm bath temperatures. Hydrolysis, a chemical reaction triggered by the heat, breaks down the body’s tissues.
Over a few hours, the body is reduced to its building blocks of amino acids, peptides, and calcium phosphate.
This process is a more accelerated version of what occurs naturally when a body decomposes in soil.
Environmental Aspects
Water cremation uses fewer resources and releases no emissions into the atmosphere, unlike traditional cremation methods.
It essentially accelerates the natural decomposition process into a liquid effluent, which is safely disposed of through wastewater treatment systems.
The solid remains, primarily composed of bone materials, can be returned to the family as ash similar to traditional cremation. Bio-Response Solutions is one company that offers such technology, which ensures efficient processing while minimizing the TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) risks associated with the burial of human remains.
Water cremation is positioned as a promising sustainable practice in the context of funerary customs, respectful of the natural cycle of life and death.
Comparisons and Considerations
When exploring water cremation, one encounters several aspects that set it apart from traditional methods.
The focus here is on contrasting water cremation with conventional practices and examining the economic and legal factors surrounding it.
Water Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation
Water cremation, also known as aquamation or bio-cremation, is often lauded for its environmental benefits, using significantly less energy compared to traditional cremation.
It employs a process of alkaline hydrolysis, where the body is gently dissolved in a solution of water and potassium hydroxide.
This method results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Water Cremation vs. Burial
In comparison to burial, water cremation presents a substantial reduction in carbon footprint. Traditional burial typically involves embalming, the use of caskets, and the consumption of land space that could disrupt ecosystems.
Water cremation circumvents these issues, offering a way to return to the earth without leaving a lasting impact.
Economic Factors
Cost considerations are also crucial when comparing water cremation to other methods.
Initially, the investment in bio-response solutions can be substantial for providers, but for consumers, water cremation can often be more cost-effective due to the reduced need for resources like caskets and burial plots.
Regulatory Landscape
The legislation regarding water cremation varies throughout the United States.
States like California and Florida have taken steps to legalize and regulate the process, often referred to as green cremation.
Each state’s approach to handling this alternative practice reflects their stance on environmental conservation and public health issues.
For further insight into the environmental aspects of these methods, one can read about the environmental impact of different funeral technologies.
For a socio-historical perspective, exploring the evolution of funerary practices and their effects on culture can be done by reading about the presence of the dead and the staging of non-place.
To understand the balance between environments and human death practices, including water cremation, consider reviewing studies that examine such relationships.
Moreover, for a broad historical and economic overview of cremation, books exploring the cremation of the dead from various standpoints can be quite informative.
It’s also beneficial to consider scientific reviews on the environmental pollution caused by cemeteries and cremations to understand the broader impacts on pollution and public health.
Cultural and Practical Implications
Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is rapidly evolving as a body disposal method due to its environmental friendliness and its lessened ecological impact.
Now, let’s explore how it fits into society’s norms and what practicalities determine its use.
Societal Perception and Acceptance
Water cremation confronts traditional funeral practices, challenging the societal norms surrounding how we honor the deceased.
In various cultures across the globe, especially in places like the Catholic Church, the preservation of human remains through practices such as embalming and interment in caskets has deep historical roots.
Yet, an increased interest in eco-friendly practices has led to a rise in alternatives such as natural decomposition (or human composting) and now water cremation, which uses water and alkaline chemicals to accelerate the decomposition process, resulting in salts and ash that can be returned to the family, typically in an urn.
Availability and Accessibility
The availability of water cremation varies by region, with places like Illinois, Colorado, Kansas, and Indiana having approved the practice, while others are still in the process of legislating its use.
Admission of this method into the suite of services offered by funeral homes depends not only on public interest but also on local laws and permits that address concerns like possible pollutants and the safe handling of animal remains as well as humans.
Desmond Tutu’s endorsement of an eco-friendly disposal in South Africa speaks to its growing acceptance worldwide.
Future Trends
Looking at future trends, green alternatives like water cremation are gaining momentum in countries like Canada, Australia, and Mexico.
As concerns about environmental pollutants from traditional cremation such as mercury and other harmful chemicals mount, the shift towards more sustainable practices including water cremation—deemed ‘green cremation’ by some—is expected to accelerate.
The method’s ability to avoid embalming chemicals and provide direct cremation services is appealing both for its simplicity and its reduced environmental footprint.