Scotland has become the first nation in the UK to legalise hydrolysis, an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation. The move reflects a growing public interest in more sustainable options for end-of-life arrangements.
A Latest Option for Final Arrangements
Also known as water cremation or aquamation, hydrolysis is already practiced in numerous countries worldwide. Regulations approved by the Scottish parliament on Monday represent the most significant change to funeral law in Scotland since the introduction of cremation in 1902.
The process replicates natural decomposition but in a significantly reduced timeframe. It involves immersing the body in water with an alkaline solution – specifically, around 5% potassium hydroxide – within a pressurised metal cylinder, heated to approximately 150C (300F) for three to four hours.
This dissolves the body’s tissue, leaving only the bones. These bones are then dried and reduced to a white dust, which is placed in an urn for families to keep, scatter, or bury, much like traditional cremation ashes.
Public Support and Regulatory Oversight
Scottish public health minister Jenni Minto stated that choices regarding remains are “deeply personal” and that hydrolysis provides a new, environmentally conscious option responding to public demand. Minto also confirmed that the process will be subject to the same regulatory requirements as existing methods.
Kindly Earth, the exclusive manufacturer of hydrolysis equipment in the UK, anticipates it could take up to nine months for the first Scottish facility to become operational, pending planning permission and local water authority permits.
Expanding Availability
Hydrolysis is currently legal in 28 US states, as well as Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose water cremation for his funeral in 2022.
The Law Commission in England and Wales is also considering a regulatory framework for new funerary methods, including hydrolysis and human composting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hydrolysis?
Hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, is an environmentally friendly alternative to burial or cremation that uses an alkaline solution to dissolve body tissue, leaving only bones.
How long does the hydrolysis process take?
The body is immersed in water and an alkaline solution for three to four hours in a pressurised metal cylinder and heated to about 150C (300F).
What happens to the remains after hydrolysis?
The remaining bones are dried and pulverised into a white dust, which is then placed in an urn for families to keep, scatter, or bury.
As families increasingly consider the environmental impact of their choices, will options like hydrolysis become more commonplace in the UK?
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