What is Water Cremation?
Water cremation - also known as Alkaline Hydrolysis, water reduction, green cremation, and flame-less cremation - is a gentle, more sustainable, and more eco-friendly end-of-life alternative to flame cremation or burial.
Why water cremation is a better solution than flame-based cremation.
Flame-based cremation, including the cremation of pet bodies, has some environmental impacts that raise concerns about its eco-friendliness:
Carbon Emissions
Greenhouse Gases: The process releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Energy Consumption: Flame-based cremation requires significant energy to reach the high temperatures necessary for combustion, typically around 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 982 degrees Celsius).
Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter: The burning process emits particulate matter, which can contribute to air pollution and respiratory issues.
Mercury and Dioxins: Trace amounts of mercury and dioxins can be released, which are harmful pollutants.
Resource Use
Fossil Fuels: Traditional cremation relies on fossil fuels like diesel, natural gas or propane, which are non-renewable resources.
Ash Disposal
Non-Biodegradable: The resulting ash is non-biodegradable, although it can be safely stored or scattered, it doesn’t provide any ecological benefits.
For a more environmentally friendly option, consider alternatives like water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), which has significantly lower environmental impacts.
An increasingly popular end of life choice.
While water cremation services have been around for decades, more and more pet owners are turning to water cremation as their preferred end of life choice because it is a gentler, more environmentally friendly option that uses water instead of flames.
Water Cremation Benefits:
Gentle, dignified, and respectful process
Natural and sustainable
Zero emissions so no harmful greenhouse gases
Low energy consumption (1/20th of energy of flame cremation services)
1/10th the carbon footprint of flame based cremation
20% more ashes (calcium phosphate) returned to families
Cost is similar to a flame based cremation
Water cremation is becoming the preferred end of life choice for pet owners in the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK and so we are very excited to provide New Zealand pet owners with this natural, eco-friendly option.
How does it work?
The warm water and alkali work together to rapidly break down all the tissue (protein) except for the bones. Just like mother nature does, through oxidation, just a lot faster.
Water cremation does not destroy the bone matter. After the process is complete, bones are dried, then placed into a cremulator and turned into a white granule and powder (ash) which can then be scattered, kept in an urn or used in memorial jewellery and other keepsakes. Private chambers reside within the machine providing a complete barrier among individual pets.
Why is Water Cremation Eco-friendly?
The process uses a naturally abundant alkali known as KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, caustic Potash or Potash Lye). KOH is commonly used in the making of soap (both hard and liquid) and lipstick, among other products. The by product is called Hydrolysate which serves as an excellent fertiliser for grass and trees because it is rich in proteins, sugars, and nutrients.
Any phosphorus (P) derived from the Alkaline Hydrolysis process (from the residual bone) also acts as an essential nutrient for plants.
Eco-friendly Alternative to Fossil Fuel Cremation.
Water cremation is the newest, safest and most natural end-of-life process that you can choose for your pet.
The Eco-facts about traditional cremation services:
Requires very high temperatures and energy consumption which are driven off fossil fuels.
Releases toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
The Eco-facts about water cremation services:
Uses 1/20th of the energy of the traditional cremation process
Has zero toxic emissions.