by Pet to Nature Canada
In a world where we continuously strive for greener alternatives, it's heartwarming to see even the funeral industry embracing eco-conscious options. One such beautiful innovation is aquamation, a loving departure from traditional cremation and burial methods. But what is aquamation, you might wonder? Well, it's a process that gently uses water instead of fire to return our loved ones to the Earth's embrace. In this blog post, let's explore the heartwarming specifics of how aquamation is made and why it's considered a more eco-friendly choice for our cherished farewells.
What is Aquamation?
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, is a process that uses water and alkali to cradle our loved ones, breaking them down into their most basic, natural elements. This extraordinary process mimics the gentle embrace of nature, significantly accelerating the return to the Earth's loving embrace.
The result of aquamation is a pure and sterile liquid, containing the essence of life in the form of salts and amino acids, alongside tender bone fragments. These fragments, akin to the ashes from traditional cremation, can be returned to families as a precious keepsake, carrying with them the memory of their beloved. The remaining liquid byproduct can be lovingly returned to nature, without causing harm to the environment we hold dear.
The Heartfelt Process of Aquamation
The aquamation process begins with placing our dear departed in a stainless-steel vessel, surrounded by a gentle solution of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. As the vessel envelops them, it is gently heated to approximately 350°F (177°C), all the while under tender, high-pressure care that prevents any turmoil. Over the course of about four hours, the body's tissues and organs gently dissolve, much like the tender embrace of a gentle rain shower.
Once the process is complete, all that remains are delicate bone fragments and a pure, sterile liquid, cradling the essence of life in the form of salts and amino acids. The bone fragments are carefully rinsed, dried, and lovingly transformed into ashes, ready for a heartfelt reunion with their family. The remaining liquid, containing nutrients that nurture and enrich plant life, can be safely returned to the Earth's loving embrace.
Why Choose Aquamation?
Aquamation holds a special place in many hearts for several reasons:
Environmental Love: Choosing aquamation is a declaration of love for our planet. It utilizes significantly less energy than traditional cremation, sparing the Earth from the fiery emissions and high temperatures of conventional methods.
A Gentle Farewell: Some believe that aquamation offers a gentler, more tender farewell, as it eschews the flames of cremation in favor of a natural, nurturing process.
Heartfelt Flexibility: Just like with traditional cremation, the ashes resulting from aquamation can be lovingly preserved in an urn, scattered in a cherished place, or used to create beautiful memorial items, such as jewelry or tattoos.
The Future of Aquamation
While aquamation is currently available in only about half of U.S. states and a few other countries worldwide, its compassionate embrace is spreading. As more individuals seek environmentally friendly alternatives for their final journey, and as more facilities extend this loving service, it's likely that more regions will open their hearts to legalize this profound farewell process.
In conclusion, aquamation represents a beautiful step forward in creating sustainable practices within the funeral industry. By understanding the essence of aquamation and how it's made, we can make heartfelt decisions about our farewells, choices that resonate with our values and reflect our boundless love for the environment that has embraced us throughout our lives.