Is Alkaline Hydrolysis Legal In Australia?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Melted down. If there was an option to have your body dissolved down to liquid and poured on plants when you die, would you be interested? A handful of people have already chosen alkaline hydrolysis, as it’s known, for their mortal remains in New South Wales —

the only state where it’s currently available

.

Is alkaline hydrolysis available in Australia?


Water Cremation

, by Aquamation is available to families from Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland, and South Australia. Water Cremation uses a process that is technically known as Alkaline Hydrolysis, to water cremate a loved one who has ‘passed over’.

Is alkaline hydrolysis legal?

Alkaline hydrolysis was

legalized in California in October 2017 by explicit statute

. The law is set to go into effect July 1, 2020. (Section 7611.9 of the California Business and Professions Code). … Several local funeral homes offer alkaline hydrolysis for human remains.

Why is alkaline hydrolysis illegal?

One of the biggest roadblocks to the acceptance of alkaline hydrolysis technology is the issue of wastewater. Because of its association with death,

the liquid is perceived as too unsanitary to be processed normally

.

Is Aquamation legal for humans?

In California, Aquamation for both Pets and

Humans is legal as of July of 2020

.

Is aquamation cheaper than cremation?

Because funeral homes are a business, they have to charge enough to pay for the equipment they use. For this reason, you may find that aquamation is more expensive than cremation.

What happens to the water after alkaline hydrolysis?

An Overview. Alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation, to

accelerate natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments and a neutral liquid called effluent

. … This effluent is discharged with all other wastewater, and is a welcome addition to the water systems.

What states aquamation legal?

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Florida.
  • Georgia.
  • Idaho.
  • Illinois.
  • Kansas.
  • Maine.

What is the cost of alkaline hydrolysis?

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis varies by funeral home and geography, but it is usually at a similar price point to a direct cremation

(usually between $1,000 and $2,500)

.

What does Lye do to dead bodies?

A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. After a matter of hours, everything but the bones dissolve into a liquid made up of water, salt and other

components

safe enough to go down the drain. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization.

Where is Promession legal?

As far as official support for the legality of promession, that’s still on the way. It is currently legal in

Sweden, the United Kingdom, and South Korea

.

Does a microchip survive cremation?


Your pet’s steel ID tag will stay with them throughout the cremation process

(including in the crematorium). After cremation, the tag will be cleaned (so that you can read the number) and attached to the bag holding your pet’s cremated remains.

How long does it take to cremate a body?

The cremation itself takes

about three to four hours

, with another one to two hours for processing. Once a body is cremated, it typically takes seven to ten days to return the ashes to the family.

Does the body sit up during cremation?


While bodies do not sit up during cremation

, something called the pugilistic stance may occur. This position is characterized as a defensive posture and has been seen to occur in bodies that have experienced extreme heat and burning.

Do you get cremated with your clothes on?

Kirkpatrick says

clothing is optional

. “If there’s been a traditional funeral, the bodies are cremated in the clothing. When there’s just a direct cremation without a service or viewing, they’re cremated in whatever they passed away in — pajamas or a hospital gown or a sheet.”

What is aquamation vs cremation?

Why is aquamation or resomation considered ‘green’?

Whereas cremation creates omissions and uses significant energy in the process

; aquamation uses a natural process called alkaline hydrolysis. In fact, Aquamation uses just 10% of the energy used during a cremation process and there are NO air emissions.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.