Water Cremation: The Environmental Benefits of a Greener Goodbye

Written by Dr. Shea Cox | Sep 4, 2026, 7:00:00 AM

As pet parents, we're always looking for ways to make responsible choices - from the food we feed our companions to the toys we buy. But have you considered how these choices can extend to end-of-life care? Today, let's talk about pet aquamation, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional pet cremation that's making waves in pet aftercare.

What is Water Cremation?

Water-based cremation, also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a process that uses water and alkaline solution to gently break down a body. It's a gentler, more natural process compared to flame-based cremation, and it's gaining popularity for both people and pets for its significant environmental benefits.

The Green Perks of Choosing Water-based Cremation over Flame-based Cremation

When it comes to pet aftercare, the numbers speak volumes about aquamation's environmental advantages:

Drastically Reduced Carbon Footprint

Pet aquamation uses up to 90% less energy than traditional flame-based cremation. For context, cremating a 50-pound pet typically requires about 28 cubic feet of natural gas and 4 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The process of water cremation has a carbon footprint that is approximately one-tenth that of traditional cremation which means it releases far fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Water Usage: Less Than You Might Think

While pet aquamation does use water, it's surprisingly efficient. The process for a pet typically uses about 100-300 gallons of water, which is less than an average household uses in a single day. Moreover, this water can be safely treated and returned to the water system or to the earth, unlike the contaminated runoff sometimes associated with traditional burial.

Reduced Chemical Impact

The alkaline solution used in pet aquamation breaks down to simple salts, which are much less harmful to the environment compared to the emissions from cremation. Unlike fire cremation, water cremation does not emit harmful pollutants such as mercury and other volatile organic compounds, making it a cleaner choice for the environment.

Long-term Environmental Impact

In thinking of the number of pets cremated each year, and comparing water cremation to traditional fire-based pet cremation, the cumulative reduction in carbon emissions and energy use is substantial. A single pet crematorium switching to aquamation could reduce its carbon footprint by hundreds of tons of CO2 per year.

Beyond the Environmental Impact

While the focus here is on environmental benefits, it's worth noting that many pet parents find comfort in the gentleness of the pet aquamation process. And as we become more aware of our choices' environmental consequences, options like water cremation allow us to extend our eco-conscious decisions to all aspects of pet care - even the most difficult ones.

Why Honor Pet has Made the Decision for Water Cremation Only

When it comes to aftercare, we're proud to exclusively offer pet aquamation. Why? Because sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us—it's at the heart of our mission. We're committed to becoming the country's first carbon-neutral crematorium, proving that you can honor your pet's memory while also honoring the planet they loved. By choosing our water cremation services, you're not just giving your pet a peaceful farewell; you're also taking a stand for a greener future. It's a small comfort in a tough time, but one that can make a world of difference.For families who want to carry that same eco-conscious approach into remembering their pet, the Honor Store offers thoughtful keepsakes and memorial pieces to help keep their memory close.

If you found this post interesting, check out: Aquamation's Environmental Impact: Facts and Figures and How to Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to a Pet.

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