ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS

The form of human disposition called alkaline hydrolysis — also known as eco-cremation, aquamation, water resomation, and flameless cremation — uses heat, potassium hydroxide, and water to dissolve or break down a human body into fluid and some residual bone. The gentle method of alkaline hydrolysis accelerates the body’s natural decomposition process and neutralizes any potential pathogens. Like flame cremation, aqua cremation reduces the deceased body to bones but uses water instead of fire. This form of disposition has a very light carbon impression because it catalyzes the hydrogen in water to quickly breakdown the chemical bonds between molecules in the body form.
 

How does Alkaline Hydrolysis Work?

Alkaline hydrolysis generally takes place in a large stainless-steel tank. Once the body is inside the chamber, it is filled with 95% water and 5% of the hydroxide. The machine is heated to a rate where an organic effect ensues to dissolve hair along with the body. In a few hours’ time, all that remains of the remains are any metal implants, dental fillings, and very soft and porous bone pieces. The liquid left in the machine has been named the “effluent,” and it looks like a light brown tea. This fluid is the result of the physical breakdown of the body into its most basic elements of salt, amino acids, and peptides.

The remaining bone fragments are reduced to very fine granules resembling white powder. They can be placed in an urn and returned to the family for burial, inurnment, or scattering. This form of human remains does not harm the ecosystem. Some families opt to also take home some of the effluent solution for fertilizing or watering their grass, trees and non-edible gardens. 

Picture Information:

Aquamation Vessel. Courtesy of Aquamation Info.