What is green cremation?

What are the eco-friendly alternatives to cremation? Let's learn more about green cremation options.

What is green cremation?

Green cremation goes by many names. It's also called "biocremation", "alkaline hydrolysis", "resomation", "flameless cremation", "aquamation" and "water cremation".


It's an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremations and coffin burials. It involves dissolving a person's body in a container filled with potassium hydroxide and water.



At the time of writing, green cremation is unavailable from any providers.

A black arrow pointing down on a white background.

What green cremation options are available?

At the time of writing, green cremation isn't available in the UK. It is, however, carried out in parts of New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and Ireland.



The body is placed in a pressurised steel container filled with water and a small amount of potassium hydroxide (a type of alkali also known as caustic potash). 


This process breaks the body down. The remains are then processed into a white ash-like powder, which is returned to loved ones in an urn.

Is cremation environmentally friendly?

Traditional cremation methods are not especially environmentally friendly. They involve carbon-intensive fossil fuels. On top of this, chemicals used during embalming and present in dental fillings can be harmful to plant life and wildlife.


Advocates of green cremation say it has "more than 90% energy savings compared to flame cremation, and with just one tenth of the carbon footprint." It doesn't release any chemicals or greenhouse gases into the air. What's more, the water left over can be processed and recycled.

Eco-friendly cremation FAQs

  • How does green cremation work?

    Green cremation consists of putting a person's body into a pressurised steel container filled with water and a small amount of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash). This solution breaks the body down. The remains are then processed into an ash-like powder.

  • How much does green cremation cost?

    Green cremation isn't yet available in the UK. Co-op Funeralcare, which has announced plans to introduce aquamation, says it expects the process to cost roughly the same as a regular cremation.

  • How long does green cremation take?

    Green cremation takes between four and fourteen hours to break the body down. These remains are then processed into an ash-like powder.

  • What is the environmental impact of cremation vs burial?

    Flame cremation generally has a higher carbon footprint than natural burial. However, traditional burial methods such as embalming can also have an environmental impact.


    Aquamation is an eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation. It doesn't produce any greenhouse gases and the water used can be processed and reused.

  • Where is aquamation available in the UK?

    At the time of writing, aquamation is unavailable in the UK. However, it was reported in June 2025 that a Law Commission consultation was proposing legal approval of the process.


    This was welcomed by Co-op Funeralcare, which backed out of introducing the process in 2023 because of regulatory concerns.

  • Where is aquamation available?

    Aquamation is available in:

    • Christchurch, New Zealand
    • Manitoba, Canada
    • Baja California, Mexico
    • Parts of Ireland
    • South Africa.

    In December 2021, aquamation made the news when Archbishop Desmond Tutu's body was aquamated in South Africa. It was, said the Very Rev Michael Weeder, "what he aspired to as an eco-warrior".

  • How old is biocremation?

    The process of biocremation was first patented by Amos Herbert Hobson in 1888. At this stage, it was intended to turn dead animals into plant food.


    In 2005, an alkaline hydrolysis machine was installed at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA.


    In 2007, a Scottish biochemist named Sandy Sullivan founded Resomation, a company which produces biocremation machines called "Resomators". 

  • Can you have a funeral to accompany a green cremation?

    If green cremations become available in the UK, it seems likely they'll be carried out in a similar way to traditional cremations.


    With traditional cremations, you can have a ceremony at the crematorium. This could be just for close friends and family, or it could be open to the public.


    Alternatively, people hold direct cremations. This is where the cremation is carried out without a ceremony and without anyone present. This can then be followed with a wake or other kind of memorial service.

  • Is acid used in aquamation?

    No. Potassium hydroxide (also known as caustic potash) is an alkali, not an acid.

Arrange the funeral you want with AFD

At Akshardham Funeral Directors, we work with people from all walks of life, faiths and backgrounds. We lend a listening ear and compassionate guidance at all stages of the process. Get in touch via our webpage or on our 24/7 phone line on 020 8355 7876.