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Aquamation - or alkaine hydrolysis - is a fairly new cremation process. It is legal in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Quebec and in 18 U.S. states.

The funerary process uses pressure, and heated water to reduce a human body to based elements that we call cremation ashes.

The ash that remains is a fine powder that contains the based components from a human body once decomposition is complete, and primarily consists of bone.

If this method of funeral disposition is used on a person that has died then their family may wonder if the ash that is produced by this method is the same as the ash from flame cremation.

The answer is: For the most part yes. However there are slight differences.

Did you know Eirene provides cremation and aquamation services to families?

What is in aquamation ashes?

During aquamation a body is reduced to a uniform pale to dark grey powder similar in appearance and texture to sand. It is mostly made of skeletal bone. By comparison, flame cremation produces powder that is a little more course. The ash consists of mostly calcium from bone and some carbon.

What quantity of aquamation ashes will there be?

There is about 20 per cent more ashes produced by aquamation than from flame cremation. So if a 200 lb man is flame cremated then about 200 cubic inches (3.2 Litres) of ashes is produced. After aquamation, ashes that are produced from a similar size man would have a volume of 240 cubic inches (3.9 Litres).

So if you read our human ashes calculation page, you will need to add 20 per cent to the calculations to determine aquamation ash. 

Where can I learn more about aquamation?

Click to read our definitive guide to aquamation and alkaline hydrolsis 

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