{"id":16,"date":"2018-09-12T18:57:20","date_gmt":"2018-09-12T18:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mitchellshlensky.com\/?page_id=16"},"modified":"2026-01-06T10:48:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:48:29","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aquamationinfo.com\/fr\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload FAQs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0is a method of final disposition that is available for both our human and pet loved ones.\u00a0 The scientific name for this water-based process is alkaline hydrolysis.\u00a0 It is the same process that occurs as part of nature\u2019s course when a body is laid to rest in the soil.\u00a0 A combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity are used to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere is Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> approved?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\"\"<\/p>

Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> for Pets is approved everywhere in the United States and Canada.<\/p>

Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> for Humans is approved in 21 states and 4 provinces, as well as other parts of the world.<\/p>

Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> is legal for humans in:
Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes the family receive an urn?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Yes, with 20-30% more ashes than one would receive from a flame cremation.\u00a0 At the end of the process, the inorganic remains of the body (the calcium phosphate of the bones) resemble skeletal remains.\u00a0 In North America and other parts of the world, it is customary to process the minerals into a powder for placement in an urn.\u00a0 This is the same processing step that is performed for the remains that result from flame cremation.\u00a0 Some cultures wish to keep the mineral remains as whole as possible for ceremonial burial, and because <\/span>Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0is so gentle to the remains, it is the ideal process for this purpose.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the family still have a viewing?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Of course, and in fact many families choose to have a full<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>service visitation for family and friends prior to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup><\/span><\/span>\u00a0process.\u00a0 There are funeral professionals who can perform a visitation service with or without traditional embalming, as the family chooses.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the body be embalmed?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, this is a choice that is in the hands of the individual or family.\u00a0 All embalming fluids are completely broken down in the process.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs a casket required for this process?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t
No.\u00a0 Unlike flame cremation, a box or casket is not used in the process.\u00a0 These materials will not break down in the <\/span>Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0process, nor will clothing unless it is protein-based (silk, wool, or leather).\u00a0 In states that require an alternative container, the body will be placed in a respectful bio-bag, made of a special material that safely biodegrades in the process.\u00a0 There are also beautiful silk and or wool shrouds<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the family can choose for this process that are<\/span><\/span>\u00a0similar in appearance to those used for natural burial<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow long does the Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> process take?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The process takes 6-8 hours, or 18-20 hours depending on the operating temperature of the equipment.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6-8 hour<\/span><\/span>\u00a0process takes place at 300<\/span><\/span>\u00b0<\/span><\/span>F, and the 18-20 hour process takes places at 200<\/span><\/span>\u00b0<\/span><\/span>F.\u00a0 A flame cremation, for comparison, takes 1-3 hours and takes place at 1600-1800<\/span><\/span>\u00b0<\/span><\/span>F.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat actually happens with Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0process is performed after any viewing or visitation services the family wishes to have.\u00a0 When it\u2019s time for the process, the individual body is respectfully placed in\u00a0a\u00a0stainless steel\u00a0vessel.\u00a0\u00a0 Alkali is added to the process based on\u00a0individual characteristics (weight, sex, embalming status), and the vessel fills with water.\u00a0 The solution of 95% water and 5% alkali is heated to 200-300\u00b0F, and gently circulated for the entire length of the process.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n\nAt the end of the process, all material is broken down to the smallest building blocks; there is no DNA or RNA remaining. The sterile process water is released for recycling (our bodies are approximately 65% water to begin with), and the vessel performs a fresh water rinse for the equipment and remains.\u00a0 When the operator opens the door, only the inorganic bone minerals remain. These minerals are processed into powder and returned to the family in an urn.\u00a0 This final processing step is the same process that is followed with flame cremation.\u00a0 Many families hold a celebration of life or gathering when the loved one\u2019s remains are returned to the family\u2019s care.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan the family still have a memorial service after the process?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes.\u00a0 Many families choose to have a memorial service or celebration of life to honor the life of their loved one and gather with friends and family.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> remains safe to handle?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, the ash remains are 100% safe to handle. Alkaline hydrolysis is a proven sterilization process that results in pathogen and disease free remains.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat can be done with the ashes?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Absolutely anything that can be done with flame cremation ashes can be done with Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> ashes.\u00a0 Some families bury the urn in a cemetery, or permanently inter the urn in a columbarium.\u00a0 There are numerous memorial products that can be made with the ashes \u2013 hand blown glass memorials, ceramic art pieces, man-made diamonds, memorial plantings for your garden, and many more.\u00a0 Many families choose to scatter some or <\/span><\/span>all of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the remains in a special place.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre there any special considerations that should be taken for spreading ashes?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Please check local regulations to make sure the scattering location is okay prior to\u00a0scattering, and\u00a0speak with your funeral professional about the best way to scatter the ashes so your experience\u00a0can be as meaningful as possible.\u00a0 Funeral professionals have great tips for making the scattering experience go\u00a0as expected.\u00a0Some special care must be taken when spreading the ashes in wind or water, as the ash is quite\u00a0fine.\u00a0Your\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> provider will provide you with guidance.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre the ashes different than those from flame cremation?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The ashes from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, along with some ash from the cremation box or casket, clothing, and anything else that may have been placed in the process with the body.\u00a0 The ashes from\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the ash.\n\nThe color of ash from a flame process is typically gray in color, from the carbon discoloration from burning.\u00a0 The color of ash from\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0is anywhere from white to a tan color.\u00a0 With both processes, there can be slight variations in color from individual to individual.\u00a0\n\nThe consistency of the ash is also different.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n\nThe ash from flame cremation can be described as \u201cchippy\u201d bone fragments.\u00a0 The ash from\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0is a homogenous (consistent) powder.\u00a0 With\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>, there is 20-30% more ash remains returned to the family.\n\n\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy do you receive more ashes than with flame cremation?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The flame cremation process occurs at 1600-1800\u00b0F with the remains in contact with direct flame.\u00a0 Some of the inorganic mineral remains are lost to the air through the stack.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span>Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0process occurs at 200-300\u00b0F\u00a0<\/span><\/span>without\u00a0<\/span><\/span>any fire at all, and the water circulation in the system is a similar flow to that of a creek or stream.\u00a0 It is very gentle to the final mineral remains, which allows more ash to be present at the end of the process. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\n\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill I need a larger urn for the ash remains?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, sometimes a larger urn is needed due to the increased volume of ashes, but this varies for each individual case.\u00a0 Because the ashes are a fine powder versus the larger fragments from flame cremation, the ashes do fit more efficiently into an urn.\u00a0 If a family chooses an urn that will not fit the entire volume of ash remains of their loved one, the funeral professional will call the family and provide options.\u00a0 Some families need to keep the remains together in one urn for interment or cultural\/religious purposes, while other families opt to have the excess remains placed in additional keepsake urns (for example, so each sibling can have an urn to bring home).<\/p>

We highly recommend\u00a0Memento Memorials (mementomemorials.com)\u00a0for specialty handmade\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0urns.\u00a0 The artist behind this company was the first to assist\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> families in need of larger urns.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre the ashes from Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> toxic to the environment or plants?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Absolutely not.\u00a0 As with anything, toxicity of a substance is a function of concentration.\u00a0 Miracle grow is a fertilizer, but if over-applied, it can kill a plant.\u00a0 A daily multivitamin is not toxic when taken as directed, but it would be toxic (and likely deadly) if the whole bottle were to be taken.\u00a0 When spreading or scattering ashes, we need to pay mind to where we are scattering them.\u00a0 A cremation garden that allows the scattering of ashes from hundreds of individuals can be a tough environment for growing plants.\u00a0 In extreme cases, poor practices could result in contamination of the water table.\u00a0For\u00a0families\u00a0wanting to use the ashes from\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0or flame cremation\u00a0as part\u00a0of a potting soil, allowing their loved one to live on through the plant, the ashes are certainly not toxic if the soil is properly prepared.\u00a0 Significantly diluting the calcium phosphate ashes with potting soil and a pH balancer to match your region and\u00a0specific\u00a0plant type makes the ashes beneficial to the plant instead of potentially toxic.\u00a0Your\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0provider can provide you with guidance for creating your living memorial.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow much does Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup> cost?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The cost of services\u00a0and what is included in the price varies\u00a0greatly by area and provider.\u00a0Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0is\u00a0comparable in price\u00a0to flame cremation.\u00a0It is significantly less costly than burial.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy do families choose Aquamation\u00ae<\/sup>?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Families have expressed:\u00a0\n