THIS INFORMATION IS OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH:
Rutherford Cremation and Funeral Services
804 Ontario St., Stratford, Ontario N5A 3K1
Email: [email protected] Website: www.jarfh.com
Phone: 519-271-5062
AQUAMATION (What is it?)
There is a lot of conjecture out there with folks who think they know what AQUAMATION is and questions from those who do not. It’s not a secret with people who know me and my zeal for giving information, that I love questions! I have posted information about this environmentally clean and non-damaging process before, but I would like to put it into terms that are perhaps more easily understood.
The result of having an aquamation done is the same as the result of having a cremation done. Aquamation utilizes water. Cremation utilizes fire. From both, there are human remains that may be buried, kept or scattered. It is just the process that is different.
The process of aquamation is more gentle, does not burn fossil fuels, is non-toxic and there is no emission of green-house gases or mercury. It has been around quite some time.
Aquamation mimics what would happen if a human body is buried in the soil without a casket. The soil beneath our feet contains alkali, and alkali combined with water – breaks down organic matter. And, of course, a human being is organic!
A body, rather than being placed in a “retort” for cremation, is instead placed in a kind of stainless steel “sensory deprivation tank” similar to a tank people spend a lot of money to float, relax and listen to music in. The tank contains predominantly water and alkali. The water is then warmed with a gentle flowing motion and after the process is complete, what is left is exactly the same thing that is left after a cremation is complete – our bones. The bones from a cremation or an aquamation are then broken down further into the remains that are returned to the family for burial or scattering.
After a cremation is complete, the remains are like coarse sand. Beige because the body has been in fire. After an aquamation, the remains are like talcum powder and white. In addition, because aquamation is a gentler process, there are perhaps 15% to 20% more remains than there would be through a cremation.
Like a cremation, the remains may be placed in an urn if desired, or an heirloom, or personally meaningful container from home. It is not a necessity to purchase an urn unless desired, as it is perfectly acceptable to bury remains in a cemetery in the container in which they come. Urns are options, not necessities.
We have been offering aquamation across Southwestern Ontario for over a year now. It is a safe and clean option to consider and should be available to those who wish to exit this world in a manner that doesn’t leave it worse for wear.
Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services is a "teaching" funeral home. For more easily understood information about all end-of-life matters please click on the link.
