Alternative Options
One of the latest innovations in cremation is alkaline hydrolysis, sometimes referred to as resomation. Developed in the United States in the late 1990s, the Cremation Association of North America describes this method as “a water-based dissolution process for human remains that uses alkaline chemicals, heat, and, in some cases, agitation or pressure to accelerate natural decomposition.”
Compared to traditional cremation, alkaline hydrolysis uses less energy and releases no carbon or particulate matter into the atmosphere. However, availability is currently limited, as not all regions have enacted the necessary legislation for funeral homes to offer this service, and the specialized equipment required is more costly than a conventional cremation retort.
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