--- title: "Alkaline Hydrolysis" id: "1895" type: "page" slug: "alkaline-hydrolysis-2" published_at: "2020-10-27T20:47:49+00:00" modified_at: "2026-06-10T10:52:26+00:00" url: "https://cremationink.com/aquamation/alkaline-hydrolysis-2/" markdown_url: "https://cremationink.com/aquamation/alkaline-hydrolysis-2.md" excerpt: "Alkaline Hydrolysis Lets explore Alkaline Hydrolysis Alkaline Hydrolysis Simplified We get asked if we can use remains with..." --- # Alkaline Hydrolysis ### Lets explore Alkaline Hydrolysis ## Alkaline Hydrolysis Simplified We get asked if we can use remains with our Cremation Inks ® that have been through the process of Alkaline Hydrolysis and the simple answer is yes, we work with clients loved ones remain that have been through the process, every week. But what is ‘AH’ and whats does it entail? Alkaline hydrolysis, sometimes referred to as water cremation, aquamation or flameless cremation, is a process used to gently break down organic remains in a heated solution of water and an alkali. The alkali used is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, which is the chemical opposite of an acid, and it is this that drives the process rather than any flame. This process mimics the natural decay of the body, only far faster, and once it is complete only the bone fragments remain. These are then dried and crushed into a fine white powder. A liquid by-product of alkaline hydrolysis is a mixture of water and steam that can be disposed of in the local sewer system. Alkaline hydrolysis is a method of final disposition available for humans, pets and relatives. This low energy impact and return to nature in a more passive way for the deceased, is why the process is slowly gathering pace and is becoming a service of choice, especially with pet owners. That being said, the process is now becoming more main stream and availabe for humans, mirroring, for some, the enviromental wishes of their lost loved one. ![alkaline hydrolysis burial](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/alkaline-hydrolysis-burial.jpg) ## Alkaline Hydrolysis For your Loved one? After around three hours the process is complete, and what is left is the bones, along with a liquid by-product that is safe for standard disposal. The cost of alkaline hydrolysis is broadly similar to that of a traditional cremation. Because every part of the remains is captured, a larger urn or container is needed, so on average a 20 percent bigger urn is required. This alternative is ideal for people who do not wish to be buried but feel uneasy about flame cremation. Supporters say that this method, sometimes called [aquamation](https://cremationink.com/aquamation/) or flameless cremation, is a gentler process than incineration and is kinder to the environment. Water cremation is widely seen as less harmful to the environment, both because it uses no fossil fuels and because its main input is water. The soft tissue, organs and other matter are gently broken down into a liquid that is treated like wastewater and returned safely to the water system. One way to think of it is as a far faster version of the body’s ordinary, natural decay, using less energy and producing less carbon dioxide than combustion. Unlike with flame cremation, alkaline hydrolysis leaves only the bones behind, which are then ground down before the remains are placed in an urn. ![alkaline hydrolysis burial](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/alkaline-hydrolysis-burial.jpg) ## Alklaline Hydrolysis Near Me The alkaline hydrolysis process has existed in various forms since the late 1800s, but surprisingly not many people have heard of it, and even fewer understand how it works. It is a water-based process that uses an alkaline solution, heat and movement to accelerate natural decomposition, reducing remains to bone fragments, as an alternative to the flame-based equivalent. Although the procedure can be used for both humans and pets, it is currently more common for dogs and cats than for humans, though it is becoming more widely available for people too. A brief look around the internet, using related words such as [aquamation](https://cremationink.com/aquamation/) , water cremation and resomation, should easily help you find a provider of this service for your loved one. Providers around the world often note that people who have been given a terminal diagnosis, or who plan ahead for how they want to leave this earth, are among the most likely to choose the service. When returning to nature, some people prefer the idea of a lighter environmental footprint for their remains. With that in mind, and an ever-growing population, this passive form of caring for the deceased looks set to keep expanding year on year. ![alkaline hydrolysis](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/alkaline-hydrolysis.jpg) ## Reflecting on Alkaline Hydrolysis Here at Cremation Ink ®, where we infuse your loved ones remains into tattoo ink, for you to go to your local tattoo studio to get a memorial tattoo, we have noticed over the past couple of years a much larger volume of remains that have been through the alakine hydrolysis process. The clear visual difference is the visual purity to the remains. The standard cremation remains have a grey bespeckled look to them and the Aquamation remains have an overall cream – white, consitent look to them. When we are using our processes to make your infused tattoo ink, they are handled and treated the same, as they are the exactly the same as cremation ashes, the remains of your loved one. Search our site to find out more about the Cremation Ink ® process and what we offer, or feel free to look below and read more on the fascinating Alkaline Hydrolysis. ![Alkaline Hydrolysis questions and answers](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ashes-tattoo-facts.jpg)Alkaline Hydrolysis Q & A’s #### What is alkaline hydrolysis? Alkaline hydrolysis is a water-based method of laying a body to rest that gently dissolves the soft tissue using water, heat and an alkaline solution, leaving only the bone behind. It mimics the body’s natural decay, but speeds it up from years into a matter of hours. It is also known as aquamation, water cremation or flameless cremation. #### Can Cremation Ink use remains from alkaline hydrolysis? Yes. We work with remains that have been through the alkaline hydrolysis process every week. They are handled and treated exactly the same as standard cremation ashes, because they are the same thing, the remains of your loved one, ready to be infused into your memorial tattoo ink. #### How long does alkaline hydrolysis take? The process is usually completed in around three hours. Once finished, the soft tissue has broken down and only the bone remains, which is then ground into a fine white powder, much like the ashes from a flame cremation. #### What is left at the end of the process? Only the bones remain, and these are ground into a fine, white powder. This powder can be kept, scattered or buried in the same way as ashes from a traditional cremation. The liquid by-product is safely returned to the water system. #### How much does alkaline hydrolysis cost? For most families the cost is broadly similar to a traditional cremation. One thing worth knowing is that because all of the remains are captured, you receive more back, so a larger urn is needed, usually around 20 percent bigger than for a flame cremation. #### Is alkaline hydrolysis better for the environment? It is widely seen as a greener choice. It uses no fossil fuels and produces less carbon dioxide than flame cremation, giving it a lighter environmental footprint. For many people, choosing a gentle, passive return to nature reflects the wishes of the loved one they have lost. #### Who chooses alkaline hydrolysis? It suits people who do not wish to be buried but feel uneasy about flame cremation. It is especially popular with pet owners, and is becoming more widely available for humans too. Providers often note that those planning ahead, including people with a terminal diagnosis, are among the most likely to choose it. #### How long has alkaline hydrolysis been around? The process has existed in various forms since the late 1800s, though many people have still never heard of it. In more recent years it has been formally defined as a water-based process using an alkaline solution, heat and movement to speed up natural decomposition down to bone fragments. #### Is it used for pets as well as people? Yes. It can be used for both, and at the moment it is more common for dogs and cats than for humans, though it is steadily becoming more available for people as awareness grows. #### How do alkaline hydrolysis remains look compared to cremation ashes? There is a clear visual difference. Standard cremation remains tend to have a grey, speckled look, while alkaline hydrolysis remains are a more consistent cream-white colour. At Cremation Ink ® we treat both in exactly the same way when making your infused tattoo ink. ![resomation cremation](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resomation-cremation.jpg)[Resomation](https://cremationink.com/aquamation/resomation-2) ![aquamation near me](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/aquamation-near-me.jpg)[Aquamation](https://cremationink.com/aquamation/alkaline-hydrolysis-2) ![water cremations near me](http://cremationink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/water-cremations-near-me.jpg)[Water Cremation](https://cremationink.com/aquamation/water-cremations-2)