The Environmental Benefits of Aquamation

For many families, caring for the environment is part of how they lived with their pet: long walks outdoors, days at the beach, time in the garden. It makes sense that they want their pet's farewell to reflect those values too. Aquamation is often described as the greener choice. Here is what that actually means.

Much lower energy use

Flame cremation relies on burning fuel to reach very high temperatures for several hours. Aquamation warms water to a much lower temperature. Estimates vary between equipment and sources, but legislative and industry reports commonly put aquamation's energy use at somewhere between one-eighth and one-tenth of flame cremation, around 90% less.

No smoke and no direct air emissions

Because nothing is burned, aquamation produces no smoke and releases no direct emissions into the air. Flame cremation, by contrast, releases carbon dioxide and other combustion gases. Studies and legislative reviews overseas have estimated that water-based cremation has a substantially smaller carbon footprint, with some putting the reduction at 75% or more.

Nothing is wasted

At the end of the process, the liquid is a sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, salts and minerals, the same natural building blocks that would return to the earth through natural decomposition. It is handled in line with environmental requirements and returned to the water cycle. The bone minerals become the ashes you take home.

What about the water?

It is fair to ask about water use, especially in Western Australia. Aquamation does use water. For a human-sized system, figures of around 1,300 litres per cycle are often quoted, and pet systems use less depending on their size. Unlike water that is used and lost, however, it is treated and returned to the water cycle rather than consumed. We think it is important to be honest about this trade-off so that you can make an informed choice.

Small choices, lasting impact

Choosing aquamation will not change the world on its own, but it is a meaningful way to honour a pet who brought so much life into yours, in a way that treads lightly on the earth you shared together.