Aquamation vs Cremation: Differences, Costs and Availability

Aquamation and flame cremation both reduce a body to bone and return a fine powder to the family. The difference is the method: flame cremation uses fire, while aquamation (also called water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis) uses water, alkaline chemicals and gentle heat. In a 2024 Washington price survey aquamation averaged more than direct cremation. It returns about 32% more remains, and is legal in 26 US states as of March 2026.

How do the two processes differ?

Flame cremation. The body is placed in a rigid, combustible container and heated in a cremation chamber. CANA says this usually happens between 1,400 and 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and takes from under an hour to over two hours, depending on body size. The bone fragments that remain are ground into the powder families receive. CANA puts the average weight of adult cremated remains at four to six pounds.

Aquamation. The body is placed in a sealed stainless-steel vessel with water and alkaline chemicals and gently heated. CANA gives a range of 199 to 302 degrees Fahrenheit and three to sixteen hours. The Funeral Consumers Alliance describes the solution as about 95 percent water and 5 percent sodium hydroxide. What is left is soft, white bone, which is dried and ground, and a sterile liquid.

Despite the nickname, nothing is boiled, and the solution is alkaline, not acid. CANA says the liquid contains salts, sugars, amino acids and peptides and is released through a drain to the local wastewater authority under federal, state and local rules.

Side-by-side comparison

Is aquamation better for the environment?

Probably, though the evidence available to families is general rather than precise. CANA says aquamation uses significantly less fuel and has a lower overall carbon footprint than both flame cremation and burial. The Green Burial Council notes that flame cremation burns fossil fuels and emits mercury from dental fillings.

You may see figures such as "90% less energy" online. CANA and the Green Burial Council do not publish a single exact number, so treat any specific percentage with caution. If the environment is your main concern, natural burial and eco-friendly cremation options are worth comparing too.

What will you receive, and what size urn do you need?

With both methods you receive bone that has been processed into a powder. After aquamation it is white and there is more of it, about 32% more according to CANA. A standard urn may be too small, so ask the provider for the expected volume before you buy. Our cremation urn size guide explains how capacity is measured.

The FTC says a funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought elsewhere, or charge you a fee to do it.

How much does aquamation cost?

There is no reliable national average. The most recent published survey data is from People's Memorial Association, a Washington nonprofit, which surveyed 250 funeral homes in 2024.

In this survey aquamation cost about $890 more on average than direct cremation, though the ranges overlap. Prices in your state may be higher or lower, so use these numbers as a benchmark and get local quotes. For more detail, see our aquamation cost guide.

Where is aquamation legal and available?

As of March 2026, CANA lists these 26 states where alkaline hydrolysis is legal: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. CANA also lists several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Quebec.

Legal does not mean nearby. Even in a listed state, the closest machine may be a long drive away, and a funeral home without its own equipment may send your loved one elsewhere and pass on a transfer fee. Our guide to aquamation by state goes deeper.

In England and Wales, the Law Commission says alkaline hydrolysis is not covered by any specific legal framework and its lawfulness is unclear. It published a final report and two draft bills (one for England, one for Wales) on 4 June 2026, recommending a way for ministers to approve new methods, and the government is reviewing them.

How do you choose between them?

Some questions that help families decide:

• Budget. Flame cremation is usually cheaper, and direct cremation is the lowest-cost option.
• Distance. If the nearest aquamation provider is far away, transport can add cost and delay.
• Values. Some people prefer a process that uses less fuel, or one that feels gentler to them.
• Faith and family. Some traditions have a view on alkaline hydrolysis. Speak with your clergy or community leader if that matters to you.
• Timing. Aquamation takes longer in the chamber, so ask the provider how long until the remains are returned.

Both methods allow a viewing or service beforehand. If you are still undecided, compare the options in our cremation vs burial cost guide, or look at human composting if you want to go further than aquamation in a greener direction.

What to ask before you book

1. Ask for the General Price List. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you prices by phone and a written list in person.
2. Ask where the aquamation takes place and who transports your loved one.
3. Ask what the price includes: container or shroud, urn, refrigeration, permits and certified death certificates.
4. Ask how large an urn you will need.
5. Get an itemized total in writing.

If you are planning ahead, write your choice in your funeral wishes so your family knows. Our guide to alternatives to burial and cremation covers the other options.