What is a water cremation?
Water cremation offers an alternative method of final disposition, to the more widely used method of flame cremations. Scientifically known as ‘alkaline hydrolysis’, the process simply accelerates the process that occurs when a body is buried in the earth. A combination of gentle water flow, temperature and alkalinity break down the organic material of the body.
Where do Alluvium Water Cremations currently operate in Australia?
Hobart, Tasmania only at this stage.
How does a water cremation work?
The team at Alluvium will respectfully place the body in the stainless steel water cremator. A chemical called alkali is then added, based on the weight, sex and other factors. The vessel is filled with water and the temperature is brought to approximately 90°C, and gently circulated throughout the water cremator.
Once complete, only the inorganic bone shadow is left. These minerals are processed into a powder in the same way that follows a flame cremation. The ashes are returned to the family in a sustainable urn.
Why is water cremation a more sustainable option?
Because water cremation does not emit harmful greenhouse gases or mercury to the atmosphere it is significantly more sustainable compared to a flame cremation. The process does not burn fossil fuel and is overall more energy efficient. In fact, there is greater than a 90% energy saving compared to flame cremation, with just 10% of the carbon footprint.
Do I need to purchase a coffin for a water cremation?
No. Unlike flame cremation, a coffin is not used in the process of a water cremation. This is because the materials that make up a coffin do not break down in the water cremation process. Neither will items of clothing, unless they are protein-based (silk, wool or leather).
What do the ashes look like compared to flame based cremation?
The ashes from water cremation are simply the mineral remains from the bone. There are no other materials in the ash. Whereas the ashes from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, plus some ash from the coffin, clothing, and anything else that may have been placed into the cremator with the body.
Ashes produced by water cremation tend to be light in colour, and more finely powdered than those produced with more widely used flame cremation.
What can be done with the ashes?
Absolutely anything that can be done with flame cremation ashes can also be done with water cremation ashes. However, the ashes are less toxic than those produced by flame cremation.
How does Tomorrow Funerals work with Alluvium to deliver greener funerals?
At Tomorrow Funerals, we offer one simple, fixed price funeral option that includes a standard flame cremation. To book a water cremation in Tasmania, we add a sustainability levy to cover the additional cost of a water cremation. Enquire here about the cost of this levy.
The sustainability levy for water cremation is dependent on where the body needs to be transported from. At the time of writing, water cremations with Alluvium Water Cremations are only available in Tasmania. A person’s body can be transported from another state, however it would increase the cost, and also the carbon footprint.
Similar to any other ‘add on’ you might choose, at Tomorrow we do not take any additional profit for extras like a water cremation. The sustainability levy simply covers the cost to our business of this more expensive option. We do not make any margin on that additional fee.