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Aquamation

General Price List

 

The gentle, eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation

Aqua cremation is a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional flame cremation or burial. Instead of fire, it uses water to return a loved one’s body back to nature in a gentle and respectful way.

  • A flameless, water-based process that is gentle and respectful
  • No emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses or mercury
  • Over 90% energy savings when compared to flame-based cremation
  • One-tenth the carbon footprint of flame-based cremation
  • Families receive up to 20% more of their loved one’s remains

 

A Flameless Process

The scientific name for this process is alkaline hydrolysis. It is the same natural process that occurs when a body is laid to rest in the soil, but accelerated using water flow, temperature, and alkalinity.

 

A Green Choice

 

Why is this considered an environmentally friendly choice?
There are no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses or mercury to the atmosphere. It is very energy efficient — greater than 90% energy savings compared to flame cremation, with one-tenth of the carbon footprint.

 

What is the impact of the water usage?
Virtually zero. The Aqua Cremation process uses less water than a single household uses in one day. This includes all of the water used for the process, as well as the rinsing of the remains and vessel.

 

The Memorial Service

Choosing Aqua Cremation does not change your memorial options.

  • Traditional Service – A funeral ceremony with the casket present, held at the funeral home, church, or other meaningful location.
  • Memorial Service – A celebration of life held with or without the urn present.
  • Graveside Service – A gathering at the burial or placement site of the cremated remains.
  • Direct Cremation – The simplest option, where cremation takes place shortly after death without any formal service.

 

Families Have Shared That They Appreciate

  • Having an additional choice for final arrangements
  • A process that avoids fire or flame
  • Receiving up to 20% more of their loved one’s cremated remains
  • A gentler alternative to flame cremation
  • The significantly reduced environmental impact

 

Who Supports It?

This process has been trusted for more than 20 years by leading medical institutions for bodies donated to science, such as Mayo Clinic, UCLA Medical School, and UT Southwestern Medical School.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What actually happens?
The individual is placed in a stainless steel vessel. A combination of water flow, temperature and alkalinity accelerate the natural process of tissue hydrolysis. The only solid remains are the mineral bone remains.

 

Is the body dissolved in acid?
No. Alkaline hydrolysis uses alkali, the opposite of an acid.

 

Are the alkalis safe for the environment?
Yes. The solution is 95% water and 5% alkali (sodium and potassium hydroxide), commonly found in cosmetic products and food preparation. By the end of the process, no alkali remains in the solution.

 

What happens to the water?
It is returned to the ecosystem via normal wastewater treatment, producing a sterile solution of natural byproducts of decomposition.

 

Are the ashes safe to handle?
Yes. The remains are pure bone mineral (calcium phosphate), pathogen-free, and safe to keep, bury, or scatter.

 

How long does the process take?
Aqua cremation generally takes 3–4 hours.

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Mt. Scott Funeral Home | (503) 771-1171
4205 SE. 59th Ave. Portland, OR 97206

 

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