What is liquid cremation?

Alkaline hydrolysis (also called biocremation, resomation, flameless cremation, aquamation or water cremation) is a process for the disposal of human and pet remains using lye and heat, and is an alternative to burial or cremation.

What happens to the liquid after water cremation?

The effluent is sterile, and contains salts, sugars, amino acids and peptides. There is no tissue and no DNA left after the process completes. This effluent is discharged with all other wastewater, and is a welcome addition to the water systems.

What chemical are used in liquid cremation?

Such machines break down tissue using lye (water mixed with a small quantity of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide), which snaps the chemical bonds that hold together proteins, fats, DNA and other bodily building blocks.

What is done with the liquid after aquamation?

So, all that remains at the end of an aquamation is water, bones and dust. Others wonder that can be done with aquamation remains. Aquamation ashes are very similar to remains left after a standard cremation, so they can be treated like standard cremation ashes.

What do aquamation remains look like?

The ashes from Aquamation are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the ash. The color of ash from a flame process is typically gray in color, from the carbon discoloration from burning. The color of ash from Aquamation is anywhere from white to a tan color.

Bodies dissolve in water in this cremation alternative wanted in B.C.

What is the difference between cremation and aquamation?

The Cremation's process is based on the natural decay that a body undergoes when buried. With this procedure, the body decomposes in less than a day. During aquamation, the body is placed inside a watertight chamber. It has almost 100 gallons of water added along with some alkaline chemicals.

Does a body get drained before cremation?

Is a body drained before cremation? Draining a body of fluids does not happen before cremation. If a body is embalmed before cremation, the bodily fluids are exchanged (drained, and then replaced) with chemicals during the embalming process. These chemicals are also fluid.

Is there DNA in cremation ashes?

The actual ashes are thus useless as they will not contain DNA. It is the bones and teeth that could potentially hold some DNA viable for analysis. However, after the cremation, the bones and teeth left behind are turned into a find powder (a process known as pulverization).

Is aquamation cheaper than cremation?

Although you may be able to pay as little as $800 for a direct cremation, the average cremation cost is still $1,600. The cost of aquamation may be as low as $2,000, but may not reach much higher than $3,000.

Does the body feel pain during cremation?

When someone dies, they don't feel things anymore, so they don't feel any pain at all.” If they ask what cremation means, you can explain that they are put in a very warm room where their body is turned into soft ashes—and again, emphasize that it is a peaceful, painless process.

Why is a grave 6 feet deep?

People may have also buried bodies 6 feet deep to help prevent theft. There was also concern that animals might disturb graves. Burying a body 6 feet deep may have been a way to stop animals from smelling the decomposing bodies. A body buried 6 feet deep would also be safe from accidental disturbances like plowing.

Do bones melt in cremation?

As the corpse is placed in a casket or container (preferably prepared from a combustible material), the container burns down. Next, the heat dries the body, burns the skin and hair, contracts and chars the muscles, vaporizes the soft tissues, and calcifies the bones so that they eventually crumble.

How long does it take to cremate a body?

The process takes anywhere between three to four hours depending on the power of the retort and the mass of the body inserted. After this step is completed, the cremated bones will come out of the retort and then be processed.

What is the alternative to cremation?

Alkaline hydrolysis (also called biocremation, resomation, flameless cremation, aquamation or water cremation) is a process for the disposal of human and pet remains using lye and heat, and is an alternative to burial or cremation.

Which part of human body does not burn in fire?

Quite often the peripheral bones of the hands and feet will not be burned to such a high intensity as those at the centre of the body, where most fat is located.

Do human ashes smell?

Most people who keep the ashes of a departed human or pet loved one at home say they detect no odor from the cremains. A few respondents indicated a very slight metallic odor or a very slight scent of incense. Your experience of keeping cremains at home may vary, depending on the type of container you choose.

Can an autopsy be done after cremation?

Yes, we offer cremains (ashes) testing to detect DNA, toxins, poisons test, heavy metals, forensic toxicology, organic or inorganic materials, and drug materials.

Why do they cover the legs in a casket?

Tradition, Region and Culture

Many people choose a casket that covers their loved one's legs simply because that's how it's usually done in their country.

Do bodies sit up during cremation?

Does the body sit up during cremation? Yes, this can happen. Due to the heat and the muscle tissue, the body can move as the body is broken down, although this does happen inside the coffin, so it won't be visible.

Is the brain removed during embalming?

Most bodies in funeral homes tend to be prepared the same way, even if they're going to be cremated rather than buried. The body is injected with the preservative formaldehyde in a hidden place, either under the armpit or in the groin. The formaldehyde is then pumped into all areas of the body, including the brain.

What remains after aquamation?

So, all that remains at the end of an aquamation is water, bones and dust. What Can be Done with the Remains - Aquamation ashes are very similar to remains left after a standard cremation, so they can be treated like standard cremation ashes.

How much does an aquamation machine cost?

There are no restrictions on who can buy an aquamation machine, which at Bio-Response are priced from $60,000 (sized to accommodate a single pet) to $200,000 (able to hold bodies weighing 4,000 pounds in total).

How is aquamation carried out?

Aquamation employs a process called alkaline hydrolysis, in which a body is placed in a stainless-steel vat containing a 200°F (93°C) potassium-hydroxide-and-water solution for four hours until all that remains is the skeleton.

How long does the aquamation process take?

The process takes 6-8 hours, or 18-20 hours depending on the operating temperature of the equipment. The 6-8 hour process takes place at 300°F, and the 18-20 hour process takes places at 200°F. A flame cremation, for comparison, takes 1-3 hours and takes place at 1600-1800°F.