Environmental Commitment References

Citations & Sources for the Benefits of Water Cremation

The environmental and qualitative benefits of water cremation are supported by the following studies and resources:

Energy Efficiency

  • 1. Dying to Go Green: The Introduction of Resomation in the United Kingdom
    Discusses how water cremation (resomation) uses significantly less energy compared to traditional cremation methods.
    Read here
  • 2. Green Funerals: Eco-Friendly Advancements in Body Disposition
    Notes that water cremation uses five times less energy than flame-based cremation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by around 35%.
    Read here

Emissions Reduction

  • 3. Green Burial, Alkaline Hydrolysis, and Human Composting
    Discusses the environmental benefits of alkaline hydrolysis, including the avoidance of harmful emissions and reduced energy use.
    Read here
  • 4. The High Environmental Cost of Dying
    Highlights the reduction in CO₂ emissions and other pollutants through the use of alkaline hydrolysis.
    Read here

Ash Quality

  • 5. Analysis of the Effect of Alkaline Hydrolysis Cremation on Minerals in Bone
    Investigates the changes in bone minerals during the alkaline hydrolysis process, resulting in clean, white crystalline remains.
    Read here
  • 6. Bone Transformation in Alkaline Hydrolysis
    Provides detailed chemical analysis of how the alkaline hydrolysis process preserves the skeletal structure, producing pure, white crystalline remains.
    Read here

Increased Ash Volume

  • 7. Alkaline Hydrolysis - Cremation Association of North America
    States that the process results in approximately 32% more cremated remains than flame-based cremation and may require a larger urn.
    Read here

Process Duration

  • 8. Water Cremation - Wikipedia
    Provides details on the duration of the water cremation process, which can take approximately four to six hours at higher temperatures or 14 to 16 hours at lower temperatures.
    Read here

General Environmental Benefits

  • 9. Sustainable Body Disposition - Durham University
    Research from Durham University highlights that alkaline hydrolysis avoids harmful emissions and reduces land use compared to traditional methods.
    Read here

Note: These sources provide evidence supporting the environmental and qualitative benefits of water cremation. Variations may exist depending on local regulations and equipment used.