Aquamation (Water Cremation) in Canada — Where It's Legal and How It Works
Aquamation — also called alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, or resomation — is the newest mainstream disposition option in Canada. It accomplishes what flame cremation does (reduces the body to bone fragments returned as 'ashes' to the family) using water and alkaline solution rather than fire. For Canadians with environmental concerns, it's increasingly chosen where available.
How it works
The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel and immersed in a solution of water and potassium hydroxide (typically about 5% alkaline concentration). The mixture is heated (around 150°C, depending on the process) and held under pressure for several hours.
During this time:
- The body's soft tissues dissolve into the solution
- Bones remain intact but become brittle and porous
- DNA is denatured (the process is fully sanitizing)
- Any artificial implants (hip replacements, pacemakers, etc.) remain intact
After the cycle, the bone fragments are removed, dried, and processed into a fine white-grey powder. This powder is the 'ashes' returned to the family in an urn.
The remaining sterile liquid (a green-brown solution) is typically released into the municipal sewer system per provincial wastewater regulations — it's sterile and has no DNA, but if it is not pretreated it can have elevated pH, organic content, nutrients, ammonia, or solids, so it is usually neutralized or diluted before discharge.
Legal status in Canada
Coverage varies by province and is changing:
- Saskatchewan — legal and available
- Ontario — legal, with licensed providers operating
- Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories — also permit it; Manitoba's first provider is reported to have begun operating around 2025 (confirm current provincial licensing)
- British Columbia and Alberta — not currently permitted for human remains; advocacy to amend the regulations is ongoing in both provinces
- Other Atlantic provinces and territories — limited or no current provider availability
Check current provincial regulations and provider availability for your specific area — this landscape is actively changing.
Environmental comparison
Aquamation vs. flame cremation:
- Energy use: Aquamation uses roughly 1/8 the energy of flame cremation
- Air emissions: Aquamation produces no direct air emissions; flame cremation produces CO2 and (problematically) mercury vapour from dental fillings
- Water: Aquamation uses water in the process — roughly a few hundred litres per cycle
- Effluent: Aquamation produces a sterile liquid requiring disposal; flame cremation produces ash particulates
- Carbon footprint: Aquamation generally substantially lower
Aquamation vs. green burial:
- Both significantly lower environmental impact than traditional flame cremation or embalmed burial
- Green burial uses no energy beyond transport; aquamation uses some
- Green burial requires land; aquamation doesn't
- Both produce no embalming chemicals
Cost
Prices vary by provider in markets where it's available; ask local providers for current prices. Slightly higher than flame cremation in many cases because of limited provider competition. Likely to become more competitive as availability spreads.
Process timeline
Similar to flame cremation:
- Day of death: Provider contacted
- Day 1-3: Death registration, coroner clearance if needed
- Day 3-5: Aquamation process (the actual cycle is 4-6 hours)
- Day 5-7: Ashes returned to family
When aquamation fits
- Family has environmental concerns about flame cremation
- Aquamation is available locally
- Family appreciates the gentler process imagery
- Religious tradition accepts cremation and its leaders are comfortable with aquamation (positions vary — ask)
When it might not fit
- Not available in your province
- Family has religious tradition specifically requiring traditional flame cremation or burial
- Family prefers established flame cremation for reasons of tradition
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Funeral Pre-Planner captures disposition preferences including aquamation as an option for Canadians in provinces where it's available.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]CBC News (June 21, 2016) — Sask. funeral home dissolves bodies with water and potash, instead of flames - CBC News
- [2]National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health — Alternative disposition services: green burial, alkaline hydrolysis and human composting - National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health
- [3]Bereavement Authority of Ontario — Consumer Information Guide (July 2025): alkaline hydrolysis as a regulated disposition option in Ontario - Bereavement Authority of Ontario
- [4]Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Episcopal Commission for Doctrine — Statement on Alkaline Hydrolysis (July 31, 2018) - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (published by the Archdiocese of Regina)
Frequently asked questions
How does aquamation actually work?
The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel filled with water and approximately 5% potassium hydroxide (a strong alkaline solution). The mixture is heated (typically to about 150°C) and pressurized. Over 4-6 hours, the body's tissues dissolve. What remains is bone fragments and a sterile liquid effluent. The bone fragments are dried and processed into a fine powder ('ashes') returned to the family. The liquid is sterile and is usually neutralized or diluted to lower its pH before it is released into the municipal sewer system per provincial wastewater regulations.
Where is aquamation legal in Canada?
Coverage varies and is changing. Saskatchewan permits human aquamation. Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories also permit it — reports indicate Manitoba's first provider began operating around 2025, though the licensing detail should be confirmed against a current Manitoba source. British Columbia and Alberta do not currently permit it for human remains, though advocacy to change this is ongoing in both provinces. The provider landscape is small even where it's legal — check current provincial regulations and provider availability for your area.
Is it more environmentally friendly than flame cremation?
Studies generally support yes. Aquamation uses roughly 1/8 the energy of flame cremation, produces no direct air emissions, and doesn't release mercury vapour from dental fillings (a real issue with flame cremation). The trade-offs are that the process uses water — roughly a few hundred litres per cycle — and produces a sterile liquid effluent that requires disposal.
What's the cost?
Similar to or slightly more than flame cremation in Canadian markets where it's available; ask local providers for current prices. Limited provider availability keeps prices from dropping below flame cremation in most areas.
Do families get back the 'ashes' the same way?
Yes — bone fragments dried and processed into a fine white-grey powder, returned to the family in an urn. Often whiter than flame cremation ashes (no incineration discolouration). Otherwise treated the same — kept, scattered, interred per family wishes.
What religious traditions accept aquamation?
Positions are still developing. Many traditions that accept flame cremation are open to aquamation by similar reasoning, but acceptance is not automatic — some Catholic authorities, for example, have expressed reservations about alkaline hydrolysis even though cremation is permitted. If religious practice matters to your family, consult your own religious leader before choosing.