What are water cremations and how do they work?

Co-op Funeralcare has announced plans to offer a new sustainable method of burial known as a water cremation.

The practice, also known as resomation or alkaline hydrolysis, will be available later this year, according to the funeral provider.

Here's everything we know so far:

How does it work?

Water cremations consist of the body being enclosed in a biodegradable pouch before being placed in a container filled with pressurised water and a small amount of potassium hydroxide.

This converts tissue and cells into a watery solution of micromolecules, with one cycle taking approximately four hours.

Soft bones remain, and these are dried and then reduced to a white powder, which can then be returned to relatives in an urn.

Is it better for the environment?

Research suggests that the practice is a more sustainable option as it does not release toxic gases, air pollutants or polluting fluids.

Cremating a body leads to the release of carbon dioxide and potentially toxic gases, while burials can lead to the risk of groundwater contamination.

The Co-op, which arranges more than 93,000 funerals every year, said it would be working with sustainability experts and academia to further validate existing research during its initial regional pilot.

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Professor Douglas Davies, an anthropologist, theologian and death rites expert at Durham University, said: “The rise in ecological and sustainability concerns over the past decade combined with a desire to be part of nature or laid to rest in a natural setting, means more people are considering the environmental impact of their body once they die.

“The reduced carbon footprint that may come with Resomation compared with other forms of body disposal means it will no doubt be of interest to many people as the practice is increasingly made available in the UK.”

When will it be available?

The Co-op said pilot locations are to be announced later this year with the intention to expand the service to all Co-op clients.

It has also updated the Government on its plans to make the process available in the UK and said that questions on new burial methods were raised at the Synod of the Church of England earlier this year.

A YouGov poll commissioned by Co-op Funeralcare found that 89 per cent of UK adults had not heard of resomation but once explained, almost a third said they would choose it for their own funeral if available.

Furthermore, nearly a fifth of adults who have arranged a funeral in the last five years said they would have considered resomation for their loved one’s funeral had it been an option at the time.

Is it used elsewhere?

The practice is growing in popularity in the majority of the US, Canada and South Africa, but burials or gas cremations remain the two options for UK families.

Anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died in 2021, is the most high-profile figure to choose resomation for his own funeral.

Its introduction in the UK will mark the first time in more than 120 years that a new alternative to burial or cremation will be widely available for funerals since the introduction of the Cremation Act in 1902.

It is understood that resomation is not illegal but will be subject to compliance with relevant health, safety and environmental regulations.

Meanwhile, the Law Commission is currently reviewing existing laws to see how they can accommodate new burial methods.

Gill Stewart, managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, said introducing “innovative and sustainable options” for clients is “an absolute priority”.

“Up until now choice has been limited to burial or cremation,” she said.

“We’ve seen from the rapid uptake of newer funeral options, such as direct cremation, that when choice in the funeral market is broadened, this is only a positive thing both for the bereaved and for those planning ahead for their own farewell.”

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