When Robert J Klink, a Minnesota fisherman, passed away in 2017, his widow, Mrs. Judi Olmsted, made an unconventional choice for his burial. Instead of opting for a traditional land burial or fire cremation, she decided on a water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis. This process involves decomposing a corpse in a stream of water and alkaline chemicals, resulting in only liquid and bones remaining.
The liquid, referred to as ‘effluent,’ can be disposed of down the drain like other wastewater. The bones can be ground to ash and given to the bereaved owner. Mr. Klink, who battled colon and liver cancer, passed away peacefully at the age of 68 in his home. His wife wanted his burial to reflect his life spent around lakes.
When Mrs. Olmsted approached a local funeral home in Stillwater to arrange the water cremation, she learned about this eco-friendly alternative to flame-based cremation. Initially, she wasn’t sure about it, but after careful consideration, she believed it was the best choice. She saw water cremation as a symbolic echo of baptism and decided it was a fitting way to honor her late husband.
After Mr. Klink’s water cremation, his powdered bones were placed in an urn and displayed at his memorial service in a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Water cremation has gained popularity in North America, and it is set to be introduced in the UK later this year, marking the first alternative to burial or cremation since the Cremation Act of 1902.
Water cremation, also known as ‘green cremation,’ is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional burials or flame-based cremations. The process uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation to speed up natural decomposition. It offers an eco-conscious option that avoids polluting the soil or emitting greenhouse gases.
The Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Minnesota provides water cremation services. The facility, located in the basement, houses an alkaline hydrolysis machine that was installed about a decade ago. The machine, resembling a high-security bank vault, uses water and potassium hydroxide to dissolve the tissues, leaving only the bones. The process takes approximately 90 minutes.
Water cremation has been well-received by the public due to its gentle nature and environmental benefits. It is a technological advancement that appeals to scientifically-minded individuals and those concerned about the ecological impact of traditional cremations. Although there may be aspects of alkaline hydrolysis that some people prefer not to know about, the overall perception is positive.
Water cremation is already available in nearly 30 states in the US, as well as in Canada and South Africa. Prominent figures, such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have chosen this method for their funeral arrangements, further increasing public awareness.
Compared to traditional cremations and ground burials, water cremation is seen as a more environmentally-friendly option. Traditional cremations release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Land burials can take years for the corpse to decompose and can negatively impact soil fertility. Water cremation alleviates these concerns and offers a more sustainable way to say goodbye to loved ones.
With the UK’s decision to permit water cremation, bereaved families will have another option for honoring their departed. Co-op Funeralcare, a leading funeral service provider, will offer water cremation alongside traditional burial and flame-based cremation options. This expanded choice is seen as a positive development in funeral planning.
Other alternative methods of laying the dead to rest include promession, which involves freezing the body with liquid nitrogen before fragmenting it, and aquamation, where bodies are placed in silk bags and submerged in a heated alkaline solution. These methods offer unique and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional burial and cremation practices.
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