Pet Aquamation
Aquamation, also called alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, uses a heated alkaline water solution rather than flame. Availability is genuinely limited and market-specific — we only list it for a market when a verified local provider offers it, and we do not publish aquamation pages for markets where none does.
How it works, step by step
- 1
Intake and identification
Same chain-of-custody expectations as flame cremation.
- 2
Hydrolysis cycle
A gentle, water-based process running over a number of hours.
- 3
Processing and return
Remaining mineral content is dried and returned; volume returned is typically greater than with flame cremation.
What affects the price
- Pet weight band
- Local availability — fewer facilities means less price competition
- Pickup and transport distance
- Urn and memorial selections
We do not publish national averages. Where we hold enough verified provider prices for a market, the range appears on that city page; where we don't, the page says so.
Related options
- Private cremation
Widely available flame-based alternative.
- Aquamation cost factors
How aquamation pricing is structured.
Common questions
- Is aquamation available everywhere?
- No. It requires specific equipment and permitting, so availability is limited to markets where a provider has invested in it.
- Are ashes returned?
- Yes, when you choose an individual aquamation. Ask the provider whether communal aquamation is also offered.
- How is it different from cremation?
- The disposition method differs — water and alkalinity instead of flame — but identification, documentation and return of remains follow the same expectations.