Alongside traditional flame cremation, some Australian providers offer aquamation, also called water cremation. Both can return your pet's ashes to you. The main practical difference is availability: flame cremation is widely available, while aquamation is offered by some providers only.
In short
Flame cremation uses heat and is widely available across Australia. Aquamation — also called water cremation — is a different process that some providers offer, but availability is limited and it isn't offered everywhere. Both can return your pet's ashes to you. If aquamation matters to you, ask providers directly whether they perform it themselves or arrange it through a partner, and confirm what's involved. Some providers present aquamation as a gentler or more eco-friendly option; treat that as their positioning and ask how the process works.
Flame cremation vs aquamation
| Flame cremation | Aquamation | |
|---|---|---|
| The process | Uses heat to cremate your pet. | Uses water and an alkaline solution. Ask the provider how their process works. |
| Also known as | Cremation, flame cremation. | Water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, resomation. |
| Ashes returned | Yes, with a private (individual) cremation. | Yes with most providers — confirm the private option returns your pet's remains. |
| Availability in Australia | Widely available nationwide. | Limited — offered by some providers, in some areas only. |
| How to arrange | Through most cremation providers, or your vet. | Ask providers directly; some perform it in-house, others through a partner. |
| Environmental positioning | The established, familiar method. | Often presented as gentler or greener — that's positioning, not a guaranteed fact. |
What flame cremation is
Flame cremation is the traditional, widely available method. As with any cremation you can usually choose private (individual) cremation, where your pet is cremated on their own and the ashes are returned to you, or communal (shared) cremation, where pets are cremated together and ashes are generally not returned. It is arranged through most cremation providers or your vet.
What aquamation (water cremation) is
Aquamation is a different process that uses water and an alkaline solution instead of flame. You may also see it called water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis or resomation. Like flame cremation, a private option returns your pet's remains to you as ashes. Providers describe their processes differently, so the best approach is to ask a provider directly how their process works and what you would receive.
Availability is limited
The biggest practical difference is availability. Flame cremation is offered almost everywhere, while aquamation is available from some providers in some areas only. Some providers perform aquamation themselves; others arrange it through a partner. If aquamation is important to you, it is worth checking who offers it near you before you decide.
How to ask a provider
- Do you perform aquamation yourselves, or arrange it through a partner?
- Is it a private (individual) process, and are my pet's remains returned to me?
- How does your process work, and how long does it take?
- What is included, and what areas do you cover?
- How do the options compare on cost for my pet?
On environmental claims
Some providers present aquamation as a gentler or more eco-friendly choice. That is how it is often described rather than a guaranteed fact, and Final Tail does not verify environmental claims. If that matters to you, ask the provider how their process works and make your own judgement, rather than treating a general environmental claim as settled fact.