FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, is a gentle, flameless alternative to traditional flame cremation. It uses water, heat, and alkalinity to accelerate the natural decomposition process without fire.

    The process gently breaks down organic material while leaving behind the mineral structure of the bones. These mineral remains are then carefully processed and returned to the family.

  • We believe you should have choices, and choosing aftercare for your pet is a very personal decision. Many people are uncomfortable with the concept of using a flame or a fire-based method and prefer Aquamation because it simply accelerates what would have occurred in natural burial. Additionally, many appreciate the reduced environmental impact.

  • Choosing aftercare that aligns with your values can bring comfort during a difficult time. Many families appreciate knowing their pet is being cared for gently and respectfully, while also choosing an option with a lower environmental impact.

  • When it comes to after-life care, many people simply believe that there are only two options: burial or flame cremation. While Aquamation uses technology dating back to 1888, an updated system was developed in 2005, and the process became more widely used in hospitals and universities with donated body programs. In 2011, it started being used in the funeral industry.

  • Due to the gentle nature and low pressure process, our Aquamation services take slightly longer than traditional cremation. The Aquamation cycle takes 20 to 23 hours.  The mineral remains need to dry for an additional 1-2 days.

    Because we strive to be as environmentally careful as possible, we don’t run cycles every day; it can take 7-14 days to receive your pet back

  • Any pet up to 400 pounds. 

    Aquamation is very gentle, which is especially significant for smaller pets such as exotics, fish, and birds, among others.

  • There is! Though not as widely available to humans as it is pets yet, it is growing into a more popular option, along with human composting and natural burial.

    For human Aquamation in Colorado, Be A Tree Cremation in Denver offers these services.

Understanding Aquamation

  • Yes. We offer a private memorial room where families can spend time with their pet before Aquamation. We believe there's no need to rush this important goodbye. Visits are available by appointment.

  • Your pet's identity is tracked throughout the entire process. A unique stainless-steel identification tag accompanies your pet from pickup through the return of their remains and is checked multiple times along the way.

    We maintain a strict chain of custody so you can have confidence that the remains returned to you are your pet's — and only your pet's.

  • Yes, we accept animals with medical or surgical implants, such as metal screws from an injury. Our process has no effect on metal, which will be recycled or returned to you if requested.

  • Some organic items, such as certain treats or flowers, may be included in the Aquamation process. Synthetic materials such as rubber and polyester cannot.

    We're happy to keep your pet's favorite toys or blankets with them until the process is complete and return or donate them afterward. Some items can also be placed in the urn.

  • Your pet's ashes are 100% safe to handle and can be divided amongst family members, moved into a different vessel, or scattered at your discretion. The ash that is returned to the family is simply calcium phosphate (bone).

Your Pet & Their Care

  • Aquamation uses a combination of water, heat, and alkalinity to gently accelerate the natural decomposition process. Your pet is respectfully placed in a sealed stainless-steel vessel containing a water-based alkaline solution. Gentle heat and circulation help break down proteins, fats, and other organic materials, while the mineral structure of the bones remains.

    Once the process is complete, the remaining mineral bone material is thoroughly rinsed, dried, and carefully processed into a fine powder, which are then returned to your family.

  • The final solution is composed of 96% water and 4% amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soaps. There is no leftover DNA or RNA, and the solution is free of pathogens and drugs, even chemotherapeutic drugs.

  • The water used for the process and the clean rinse after is equal to about 2-3 pet baths.

  • After the process, the remaining solution is treated and discharged according to applicable wastewater requirements. It can also be collected and reused as a highly nutrient fertIlizer.

  • There are no emissions and no contribution to greenhouse gasses with Aquamation.

  • The process uses a mix of 95% water and 5% alkali (potassium hydroxide). The same alkali is also used in common cosmetic products, body washes, shaving creams and even food preparation. At the end of the process, the chemical has been completely consumed, neutralized and no longer remains in the water solution.

The Aquamation Process

  • We lovingly return to the earth all pet ashes from communal Aquamations through scattering by a member of our staff.

  • There are many meaningful ways to memorialize your pet, including:

    • Keeping their remains at home

    • Scattering or burial

    • Memorial plants or trees

    • Jewelry or glass art

    • Memorial stones or artwork

    • Incorporating remains into a meaningful keepsake

    We're happy to help you explore memorial options that feel right for you.

  • Every pet and family is unique, so we offer a variety of ways to honor and remember your pet. Optional keepsakes include:

    • Foam paw prints

    • Ink prints

    • Fur or feather clippings

    We're happy to help you choose something that feels meaningful to you and reflects the special bond you shared.

  • During flame and water cremation, one or more bones are left intact and firm enough to be preserved. However, the bones will remain delicate and must be handled and preserved with care.

    The strength of a pet's bones, as well as the likelihood of saving a bone, are heavily influenced by its age and health. Older pets' bones are far more fragile than younger ones.

    Please let us know when you finalize your order, and we will do our best to recover a bone for you before processing the remains.

  • The standard method for establishing urn size is that for every pound of your pet's total weight, one cubic inch (LxWxH) is required, plus an additional 10 cubic inches for good measure.

    For example, if your pet weighs 100 pounds, you will need an urn with a volume of 110 cubic inches or more.

    You can also wait until you receive your pet's remains to be absolutely certain.

Remains & Memorialization

  • Take your time saying goodbye. If your pet passes at home after hours, you don't have to rush. If possible, contact a friend or family member who can provide emotional support and assist you in handling your pet. If outside of our regular business hours, you can safely keep the body at home for up to 24 hours as long as it is kept cool and dry (or 48 hours in a refrigerator or freezer).

    One of the first changes you may notice is the release of body fluids. This is completely normal and occurs when a pet's body relaxes. To prepare for this, consider placing some potty pads under your pet's back end and head. If potty pads are not available, towels or paper towels will also work.

    If stiffness hasn't set in yet, we suggest adjusting them into a comfortable position similar to that of sleeping. Tuck their legs in as close to their body as possible, and gently place their head in a comfortable, neutral position. Once there, we recommend wrapping them in a towel or blanket. Wrapping them up will help keep their body in position.

    If you feel comfortable doing so, you might want to move your pet to a separate area where the odor won't affect you as much. This should be a cool, dark, and dry environment. It is not recommended to keep your pet outdoors or in a heated setting

    You can use ice packs to keep them stable and reduce odor. Ice packs can also help keep your pet stable if you wish to hold a home viewing with friends and family. When preparing them to be picked up or delivered to us, you may wrap them in a towel, their favorite blanket, or whatever is most comfortable for you.

  • Yes. We regularly coordinate with veterinary clinics throughout Boulder and surrounding areas. We can pick up your pet directly from your veterinarian and bring them into our care.

    Your pet is assigned a unique stainless-steel tracking tag at pickup and remains in our care throughout the process.

  • Yes. We can arrange pickup from your home. We understand that bringing your pet to a facility may feel difficult, so we're happy to come to you.

    Your pet will be handled with care and dignity and assigned a unique stainless-steel tracking tag at pickup. Home pickup is available for an additional fee.

  • Yes. You are welcome to bring your pet directly to our Boulder facility. We offer a private, comfortable space where you can spend time with your pet and say goodbye before they are placed in our care.

    Facility drop-off is available by appointment. Please contact us to schedule a time.

  • Absolutely!  We value transparency and encourage people to take a deeper interest in what is happening with their cherished pet. 

    To ensure the privacy of all clients, we ask that you schedule a time to visit us.

  • We would be honored to assist you. Most likely, your veterinarian is unaware of our services or has a contract with another organization that does flame cremation. Nonetheless, you have a choice, and you can inform your veterinarian that you have selected us to provide Aquamation services for your deceased loved one. Most veterinary hospitals are willing to assist you with your desired after-care arrangements, but sometimes you will need to ask if you want to know all of your options.

Arranging Aftercare

  • Congratulations on wanting to honor pets while reducing the impact on the environment. We would be pleased to add you to our network of partner providers, offering your clients another option. Please reach out to us directly for additional information.

  • We make pickup simple and seamless for your veterinary practice. Once we're notified that a pet is ready for pickup, we'll coordinate a convenient time to retrieve them directly from your clinic.

    At pickup, your pet is carefully transferred to our care and assigned a unique stainless-steel tracking tag. That identification remains with your pet throughout the entire process, providing a clear chain of custody from pickup through the return of their mineral remains.

    Veterinary partner pickup is complimentary.

  • We maintain a careful chain of custody from the moment your pet comes into our care until their mineral remains are returned to you.

    Your pet is assigned a unique stainless-steel tracking tag at pickup or drop-off. Their identification is verified and documented throughout each stage of the process, including before and after Aquamation and when their remains are prepared for return.

    Your pet never leaves our facility. All aftercare is handled in-house by our owner-operated team. This allows us to maintain direct oversight and helps ensure that the remains returned to you are your pet's.

  • Yes. We offer special pricing to our veterinary partners. We also provide complimentary pickup from partner clinics, making it easy for your practice to offer Aquamation as an aftercare option to your clients.

    Interested in becoming a veterinary partner? Contact us to learn more.

For Veterinarians