Pet aquamation (water cremation), explained

Aquamation — also called water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis — is a water-based alternative to flame cremation. It uses warm water and an alkaline solution to gently return the body to its natural elements, leaving the mineral bone remains, which are processed into ashes and returned to you much like flame cremation. It's often chosen as a gentler, lower-energy option.

With a private (individual) aquamation, yes — the processed bone remains are returned to you as ashes, just as with private flame cremation. Aquamation is also offered as a communal option, where ashes are generally not returned. Confirm the type and what's included with the provider.

The end result — your pet's ashes returned to you — is similar, but the process differs: aquamation uses water and an alkaline solution rather than flame and heat. Many families choose it because it's a gentler, lower-energy process. Availability is more limited than flame cremation, and both private and communal options exist.

Pricing is broadly comparable to flame cremation and set the same way — by your pet's size and whether the aquamation is private or communal. Some providers publish a starting 'from' price. See our US pet cremation cost guide for the figures providers publish, and ask each provider for a quote.

In our directory, 75 US providers across 27 states confirm water cremation / aquamation. You can filter the directory to aquamation to see providers that offer it, then confirm availability and pricing directly.