Why are Green Cremations so Taboo?

As more of us think about our impact on the planet, a greener alternative to flame cremation is gaining attention: water cremation, also called alkaline hydrolysis. It is gentler on the environment, yet still widely misunderstood. This guide explains what it is, its benefits, and why it remains a little taboo.

Quick answer: A green or water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis, also called aquamation, resomation or bio cremation) uses a heated water-and-alkaline solution instead of fire to gently break a body down to bone, which is then processed into ash. It uses far less energy than flame cremation and produces a fraction of the carbon footprint. It is established in much of the US and Canada and is slowly emerging elsewhere. The taboo comes mostly from misconceptions, not the process itself.

What is a green (water) cremation?

The technical name is alkaline hydrolysis. It mimics natural decomposition but takes only a few hours, using a solution of about 95% water and 5% alkaline compound, with gentle heat and pressure instead of flame. What remains is bone, which is processed into a fine ash and returned to the family, just as with flame cremation.

Why it is greener

• Far less energy. It runs at around 150°C rather than the roughly 1000°C of flame cremation, using a fraction of the energy.
• Lower carbon footprint. It produces only a small fraction of the emissions of a traditional cremation.
• No mercury emissions. Flame cremation can release mercury vapour from dental fillings; water cremation does not, and implants can even be recovered and recycled.
• More ashes returned. Because gentler conditions preserve more bone, families often receive noticeably more ash, helpful if you wish to share it among relatives.

So why is it still taboo?

Much of the unease comes from misconception rather than fact. Dramatised film and TV storylines about acids dissolving evidence have wrongly colored how people picture the process, yet alkalis and acids sit at opposite ends of the scale and work very differently. The resulting sterile liquid is composed of water and natural proteins, with no DNA, and is safely processed, but the idea can still feel unfamiliar. As with flame cremation, which the Catholic Church resisted until the 1960s, attitudes tend to soften over time.

Cost and availability

Where it is offered, water cremation typically costs about the same as flame cremation. It is well established across a growing number of US states, as well as Canada, having first been developed for human use by a Scottish biochemist. In the UK and parts of Europe it is emerging more slowly, partly because it needs specialist facilities and approval for how the liquid is processed. Availability is changing, so it is worth checking what is offered locally.

Whichever cremation you choose, the ashes are returned to you to keep, scatter, bury or share. For ideas, see our hub on what to do with ashes after cremation, or keep a portion close in a keepsake urn.

Frequently asked questions

What is a green cremation?

A green or water cremation, technically alkaline hydrolysis, uses a heated water-and-alkaline solution instead of fire to gently reduce a body to bone, which is then processed into ash. It is also called aquamation, resomation or bio cremation.

Is water cremation better for the environment than flame cremation?

Yes. It uses far less energy, runs at a much lower temperature, produces a fraction of the carbon footprint, and avoids the mercury emissions that flame cremation can release. It is widely considered the greener option.

Do you still get ashes from a water cremation?

Yes, and often more than with flame cremation, because the gentler process preserves more bone. The ashes are returned to the family to keep, scatter, bury or share, just as with a traditional cremation.

Is water cremation available everywhere?

Not yet. It is well established in a growing number of US states and in Canada, and is emerging more slowly in the UK and Europe as facilities and regulations develop. Check what is offered in your area.