About the Pet Aquamation Process
What is Pet Aquamtion?
Classified as a “green cremation,” aquamation offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly choice for pet aftercare. More pet parents are switching to aquamation as popularity grows due to its zero-emissions profile.
Join the families who choose pet aquamation as a dignified, respectful farewell for their cherished companions. After all, pets are family members, faithful friends, and constant sources of joy. Choosing aquamation honors their memory while protecting the natural world they loved to play in.
At Tranquil Tides, we understand your desire to preserve that special bond. We provide an aftercare option that is gentle on your pet, gentle on the planet, and gentle on your heavy heart. End-of-life decisions are never easy. That is why our family is dedicated to caring for your pet in a compassionate manner that mimics Mother Nature’s natural process.
Below, we explain the benefits of gentle pet aquamation compared to traditional flame-based pet cremation so you can make the best choice for your family.
About the Aquatic Cremation Process
Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, or Aqua Cremation, the process is the most gentle way to return your beloved pet to the Earth. Aquamation is simply an acceleration of the natural process using a peaceful flow of water, low temperature, and alkali, usually lasting around 20 hours. After the aquamation process, only the pure inorganic materials of the bones remain. The mineral remains are processed into a powder, which is identical to the flame cremation process. The ash is a light sage or white color because it retains more minerals, is clean, and without carbon discoloration. Then, the nutrient-rich, environmentally safe effluent will be returned to the environment.
Once you have received your loved one’s ashes, there are many ways to continue your journey. Anything you can do with fire cremation ashes, you can also do with Aquamation ashes. Our hope is that we have made this difficult aspect easier so you can focus on healing.
See our FAQ Page for more information, or feel free to give us a call at 417-830-4794.
The video below explains more about the process of Pet Aquamation.
The History of Aquamation
The Initiation of an Alternative to Traditional Cremation
The process of aquamation was first developed and patented in 1888 by Amos Herbert Hanson. Amos was a farmer in the United States who was looking for a way to produce fertilizer and gelatine from animals who had passed away.
In 1993, the Albany Medical College first used Aquamation to dispose of animal remains.
In 2006, the process was first used on human remains.
CANA Recognition
In 2010, the Cremation Association of North America’s (CANA) Board of Directors voted to expand the association’s definition of cremation to include processes like alkaline hydrolysis. Their definition covers a variety of technologies that may be applied in order to achieve a reduction of bone fragments, including traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, and alkaline hydrolysis.
Rising Interest
In the last 15 years, aquamation has been used on hundreds of thousands of departed U.S. pets. Studies and surveys have shown that Americans under the age of 40 are much more likely to act on environmental and climate issues than their older counterparts. This leads to an increased interest in the energy and emissions that are utilized in traditional, fire-based cremation processes.
What is the End Result?
In short, bone fragments and a sterile liquid are all that remain after the process is completed. The bone fragments, now called cremated remains or hydrolyzed remains, appear pure white or slightly sage in color. Because the process uses water, the remains are allowed to dry before reduction. The process results in approximately 32% more cremated remains than flame-based cremation and may require a larger urn.
Just like flame cremation, fat and tissues are converted to basic organic compounds. In flame cremation, these compounds, mainly carbon dioxide and water vapor, are released into the air. In alkaline hydrolysis, the harmless compounds formed include salts and amino acids, which are released with the water. This effluent is far cleaner than most wastewater and can be released through a standard drainage system to finally arrive at the local municipality’s water treatment system.