Environmental Benefits of Aquamation

My friend chose aquamation for her cat partly because she drives a hybrid and composts religiously. She wanted her pet's final act to match how they'd lived together. That's a valid reason—but I also know people who chose cremation and shouldn't feel bad about it.

Here's the environmental picture, honestly.

How much energy does aquamation actually save?

The numbers are significant: aquamation uses about 90% less energy than flame cremation. A traditional cremation requires heating a chamber to 1400-1800°F for 1-3 hours. Aquamation uses much lower temperatures (200-300°F) and relies more on chemistry than heat.

To put it in perspective: one pet cremation uses roughly the same energy as driving 50-80 miles in a standard car. One aquamation uses about the equivalent of driving 5-8 miles. Over thousands of pets, this adds up.

What about emissions?

Flame cremation releases carbon dioxide, and if your pet had any metal in their body (like a microchip, surgical pins, or dental work), trace amounts of those metals enter the air too. Mercury from old dental fillings in humans is a known issue; for pets, it's less common but possible.

Aquamation releases no airborne emissions. Zero. The process is contained in a closed system. Any metals are simply removed afterward, not vaporized.

What happens to the water?

This is where some people get squeamish, but here's the reality: the liquid byproduct is completely sterile. It's basically water with dissolved amino acids, sugars, salts, and nutrients—the same building blocks that would return to the earth through natural decomposition, just faster.

Most facilities send this liquid to the municipal water treatment system, where it's processed like any other wastewater. Some facilities in agricultural areas use it as fertilizer. Neither option is harmful; both return nutrients to the cycle.

Is aquamation the "right" choice environmentally?

Here's my honest take: if environmental impact is a priority for you, aquamation is measurably better. But if it's not available in your area, costs more than you can afford, or just doesn't feel right to you—cremation is still a reasonable choice.

Don't let anyone guilt you about this decision. Your pet loved you, not your carbon footprint.

If you do choose aquamation for environmental reasons

Make sure the facility actually follows through:

Your next steps