When a pet is nearing the end of its life, many individuals turn to their veterinarian for support. In addition to providing medical care, veterinarians often assist with end-of-life arrangements, such as arranging for the cremation of the pet’s body. This process involves the veterinarian passing the remains to a local crematorium that accepts animal remains. The owner pays a fee to the veterinarian for these arrangements, and the crematorium may return the ashes to the owner in a small urn as a memorial.
Pet cremation has been a common practice in the United States for several decades. Dedicated facilities for pet cremation began to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s, gradually gaining popularity among pet owners. Over time, cremation has become the default option for both pets and humans, and many owners are unaware that there are alternative choices available. Donna Shugart-Bethune, the executive director of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, explained this phenomenon to me. However, when it comes to end-of-life care, animals are at the forefront. Techniques initially used for handling the remains of livestock and lab animals have become more prevalent for beloved pets. One such technique, called alkaline hydrolysis or “aquamation,” involves rapidly decomposing the body in a stream of water.
Aquamation offers pet owners a futuristic and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation or burial. Although sustainability may not be the first thing on someone’s mind when their beloved pet passes away, the cumulative impact of these decisions is significant. While individual burials or cremations do not cause severe environmental harm, the collective remains of pets and humans have a substantial effect.
Cremation, for instance, releases carbon dioxide from the chambers used to incinerate the bodies. Burial may appear more environmentally friendly on the surface, but it has its drawbacks. If pets are buried in containers made of metal or plastic, those materials can take decades to decompose. Furthermore, maintaining burial sites often requires the use of water, pesticides, and other resources, which may be detrimental to the environment. Additionally, not everyone has access to land for a backyard burial or lives in an area where it is permitted.
In contrast, aquamation is a compact and efficient process that emits no direct emissions, making it one of the most environmentally friendly methods of final disposition. This technique involves alkalized water decomposing the body’s proteins and fats over a 20-hour cycle. The water then drains into the local wastewater system. Once the process is complete, only the bones remain, which can be pulverized as in traditional cremation. The operator may return the pulverized remains to the owner. Aquamation has been estimated to have approximately one-tenth of the environmental impact of flame cremation or even less if renewable energy sources power the machines.
Resting Waters, a pet funeral home in West Seattle, offers aquamation services. They utilize machines from Bio-Response Solutions, with different capacities depending on the size of the animals being processed. The cost of aquamation varies depending on the size of the pet, but generally surpasses the cost of traditional cremation. There are approximately 400 animal-aquamation machines worldwide, including larger systems for horses. Many regions in the U.S. have dedicated pet aquamation companies with competitive prices. In the future, veterinarians may potentially offer this service directly, eliminating the need for a middleman.
Regardless of the chosen method, pet owners have various options for memorialization. Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, for instance, offers large stone headstones similar to those found in human cemeteries but with more expressive designs. Engraved silhouettes, enameled photos, personalized nicknames, and religious symbols are common elements in these memorials. Pet urns are another customizable option, with paw prints or nose prints as potential additions.
However, there are more sustainable and cost-effective ways to honor a beloved pet. Resting Waters, for example, provides services such as cleaning and preparation for viewing before the aquamation process. Some owners also request fur or whisker clippings, and in some cases, whole bones instead of pulverized remains. In-person or virtual funerals attended by close friends and family can help owners through the grieving process. The funeral industry continually adapts to meet consumer needs, offering a wide range of options. Unlike traditional human deathcare, pet owners have the freedom to choose different approaches to memorialization.
Currently, alkaline hydrolysis is an option for animals nationwide and is legal for human use in 28 states, although availability may vary. This method is just one example of how the death of animals allows us to explore new ways of coping with grief and contemplate our own mortality.
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