Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) is a new, innovative form of burial that reverses the process by which humans and animals are formed (condensation) in order to bury them. In practice, alkaline hydrolysis is often referred to as aquamation or resomation. Lavation is a novel, particularly gentle and efficient form of alkaline hydrolysis.

Just as the ‘Dank & Treu’ animal crematorium established Germany’s first horse crematorium in 2017, it also acted as a trailblazer and pioneer by being the first in Europe to introduce aquamation or resomation for horses and pets. The approval under EU law was likewise preceded by a research project lasting several years.

TNO has determined and compared the environmental impacts of various burial methods using a life-cycle analysis. According to TNO’s life-cycle assessment (2014), the aggregate environmental impact of alkaline hydrolysis, at a shadow price of €2.59 per deceased person, is around 95 per cent lower than that of cremation, which stands at €48.47. These figures are based on Dutch facilities using data from 2014, calculated using the ReCiPe method; the analysis focuses on the burial process itself, excluding buildings and infrastructure (Keijzer, E. E., & van Klink, H. A. M. (2017). The environmental impact of activities after life: life cycle assessment of funerals (TNO-Bericht Nr. TNO 2017 R10237)). Alkaline hydrolysis operates without fire and, consequently, without any exhaust emissions. The Lutz Systems systems do not produce any direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

The remaining ‘ashes’ following an aquamation can be handed over to the family, pet owner or place of burial in the same way as after a cremation. However, the ‘ashes’ from an aquamation are lighter in colour than those from a cremation, as they lack the carbon discolouration produced during cremation. The ashes from aquamation, just like those from cremation, can be used for many forms of remembrance, e.g. cremation jewellery, mementoes, clay memorials, tree urns, etc. If you have any questions of this nature, please contact the Dank & Treu animal crematorium, who are highly knowledgeable about all aspects of aquamation.

In aquamation or resomation, the animal’s body is broken down in a sealed container through natural alkaline hydrolysis, so that once the process is complete, only the bones (calcium phosphate) and any prostheses or metal implants remain. These are then dried and ground, and, as with cremation, returned to the owners in an urn (or similar container). The treatment solution consists of 95 per cent water and 5 per cent electrolytes (usually KOH). When heated to the appropriate temperature, this accelerates the natural biochemical decomposition process of hydrolysis in the animal’s body. The animal’s organic ‘body’ is thus transformed back into its most basic components.

At the end of the process, no DNA or RNA remains. The microbiologically sterile process water is released for recovery, and the inorganic bone minerals (calcium phosphate) remain. These are then dried, ground and placed in the urn, which is subsequently handed over to the pet owner.

Find out more about the latest and most innovative form of alkaline hydrolysis from Lutz Systems.

The new process no longer relies on immersion, but instead envelops the body in a fine mist. This offers numerous advantages and revolutionises alkaline hydrolysis in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and dignity. Click here to visit the Lutz Systems GmbH website. There you will find an overview of systems and processes for alkaline hydrolysis for the burial of humans and animals, as well as for other sectors.

The first facility in Europe to be approved for aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis/resomation) in animals in accordance with EU Regulation 1069/2009 is located at the Dank & Treu animal crematorium in Schwäbisch Hall (Germany).