Water cremation, also called aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, has been legal in California since July 1, 2020, and a growing number of licensed providers offer it, including Better Place.
What Is Aquamation?
Also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, aquamation is an environmentally-friendly, water-based process that uses alkali to accelerate the natural decomposition of the body.
How Aquamation Works
Aquamation is a flameless cremation process that employs an alkaline hydrolysis machine to replicate the natural degradation process of the body, but at a faster pace.
Your loved one is placed in a stainless steel vessel with a measured solution of water and alkali. Warm, circulating water breaks down soft tissue over several hours, leaving bone fragments that are dried and processed into ash. The remaining sterile liquid is disposed of under the facility’s permits. For every step, see how aquamation works.
Is water cremation legal in California?
Yes. Water cremation, legally called alkaline hydrolysis and often referred to as aquamation, has been legal in California since July 1, 2020. Assembly Bill 967, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on October 15, 2017, directed the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to license and regulate hydrolysis facilities from that date, under rules similar to those for crematories.
What that means for your family:
– Only a hydrolysis facility licensed by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau can perform it.
– Each facility must hold permits and contracts for disposing of the remaining liquid, and must use a chamber approved by the California Department of Public Health.
– The ashes returned to you can be kept, scattered or buried, just like ashes from flame cremation.
Rules differ from state to state. See where else aquamation is legal.
California Providers
There are a few providers that offer aquamation for humans in California. There are also several that specialize in pet aquamation.
Better Place
Better Place offers a Complete Cremation Package with carbon-neutral aquamation that includes everything you need and nothing you don’t for $4,950. Plus you have the option to add a living memorial where you can return the aquamation ashes to the earth in a Natural Memorial Ceremony. Find cremation near you in California
Pacific Interment
Pacific Interment is a small, Northern California business with three locations in San Francisco, Oakland and Emeryville that provides cremation, direct aquamation and burial services in the Greater Bay Area. Direct aquamation prices start at $3750.
Ethos
Located near Sacramento, Ethos offers cremation, aquamation, and burial services with packages starting at $4,995.
Natural Grace
Serving Southern California, Natural Grace is a full-service, female-owned and operated provider that offers aquamation packages starting at $4995.
White Rose Cremation
Operating in San Diego County, White Rose Aqua Cremation specializes in aquamation with packages from $3,750 for direct aquamation to $9,950 for Memorial Tree aquamation packages.
Peaceful Pets Aquamation
Peaceful Pets Aquamation provides pet cremation services in California in partnership with veterinary hospitals.
How to arrange water cremation near you in California
You need a licensed funeral provider to bring your loved one into care and file the permits, and a licensed hydrolysis facility to perform the aquamation. Many providers coordinate both.
With Better Place, you can handle every end of life step in one place, online. Easily preplan or arrange carbon-neutral aquamation including transportation, permits, three certified death certificates, and the return of ashes in a sustainable urn. The Complete Cremation Package with aquamation is $4,950, everything included.
How Much Does Aquamation Cost in California?
Direct aquamation in California typically costs $3,750 to $5,000, with a median of about $3,950 (Occasional Sage). That’s higher than the national average of about $2,500, because only a few California facilities are licensed to perform it. Packages that add a memorial service, a keepsake urn or a final resting place can run up to $10,000.
For comparison, direct flame cremation in California averages about $2,000 and usually ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. A simple burial costs around $8,000, according to Funeralocity, and a more elaborate one can exceed $20,000. So aquamation typically costs more than flame cremation but much less than burial.
What you pay depends on what’s included, especially transportation, death certificates, the urn and any memorial service. Always ask for an itemized General Price List.
At Better Place, our Complete Cremation Package with aquamation is $4,950. It includes transportation, permits, three certified death certificates and the return of ashes in a sustainable urn, so you get everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Comparing Aquamation to Other Methods
Aquamation vs. Cremation
- Environmental Impact: Aquamation produces no greenhouse gases and uses 90% less energy.
- Ash Quality: Aquamation yields whiter, smoother ashes compared to the grayish ash from traditional cremation.
- Volume of Ashes: Aquamation produces 20-30% more ashes than flame-based cremation.
Aquamation vs. Burial
- Space Efficiency: Aquamation doesn’t require land, whereas traditional burial uses significant land space.
- Less Contamination: Aquamation eliminates the risk of soil and water contamination associated with burials.
- Less Toxicity: Unlike embalming, which uses harmful chemicals, aquamation is a non-toxic process.
- Less Material Usage: Traditional burials require materials like wood for caskets, which aquamation does not.
Sustainable Alternative to Aquamation California
Natural Organic Reduction
Also called terramation, human composting transforms human remains into soil through natural organic reduction. It offers a greener path to rest in peace than traditional burial.
Memorial Tree
Instead of a tombstone, you can choose a Memorial Tree and spread ashes around it in a protected forest. This sustainable alternative aids reforestation and conservation efforts, providing a lasting tribute to the natural cycle of life.
Is Aquamation Right for Me?
Aquamation may be a good choice for you if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly end of life alternative. It’s one of many sustainable alternatives to traditional burial that are gaining appeal because they minimize the human footprint and leave a legacy of nurturing the Earth.
