Resomation

Can you use remains from the resomation process with our tattoo ink?

Yes we work with this type of remains every week. We infuse your loved ones ashes into our high quality tattoo ink, so you can choose a local tattoo studio to get your memorial tattoo infused with your beloved. But what is Resomation?

Resomation, also known as biological cremation and also referred to as alkaline hydrolysis, is a final disposition process in which the human body is transformed into a liquid using an alkaline solution.

Cremation is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial, as it eliminates the use of embalming chemicals and other harmful chemicals in the burial process. It is believed that Resomation, (biological cremation) will further reduce the environmental impact of final burial by reducing energy consumption and emissions from the cremation process and as an alternative to the use of embalming chemicals and other harmful chemicals in the burial process.

As with all new technologies, resomation is not yet part of widespread practice, but this will change as more people embrace this environmentally responsible alternative to traditional practices.

Traditional burials pose an environmental threat, because chemicals such as formaldehyde are used in embalming fluids. Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical that eventually leaks out of the soil as the body decays. On the other hand, nothing toxic or harmful to the environment is used in biological cremation and resomation.

Resomation – The Process

Water is used instead of fire, mixed with an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to gently break the body down to bone. The body is placed in a special chamber where it is exposed to water, heat, gentle pressure and the alkaline solution. This whole process recreates the body’s natural decomposition, using a balanced combination of warm water flow and alkalinity to speed it up.

Resomation, also known as biological cremation, aquamation or water cremation, is an alternative to flame cremation and one of the gentler methods for laying human and animal remains to rest. It was first used in the early 2000s within medical settings, and there is now a strong push to make this kind of green option available to everyone.

We have written before about how cremation has grown more popular over the years, and resomation, bio-cremation and flameless cremation are just some of the terms you will come across. The scientific name for the process is alkaline hydrolysis, or AH, which uses a strong alkali rather than any acid to do its work.

In simple terms, resomation is a water-based process that uses a strong alkaline solution to gently and quickly break the body down to bone fragments. There are several reasons people prefer alkaline hydrolysis to flame cremation. It uses significantly less fuel, has a much lower running cost per kilowatt hour than conventional cremation, and leaves a lighter environmental footprint overall.

Resomation For Your Loved One

Some people are afraid of fire and still want their bodies disposed of via cremation, seeing it as a good alternative or want it because they want it for other reasons, such as health or medical reasons.

Alkaline hydrolysis follows the standard cremation procedure, whereby the deceased is transported to a facility, the body is properly stored for cremation and the cremated remains are returned to the authorized agent at the end. After three hours, the process is completed and the machine is opened, which, similar to cremation, shows that the liquid remains no longer contain DNA, but that the remains can be disposed of as standard.

Resomation clients have, in addition to the lowered environmental impact, a general aversion to fire and much prefer the gentler methods of organic cremation. Water resomation have been shown to be less harmful to the environment because the process does not use fossil fuels.

Reflecting on Resomation

There will always be alternatives that compete against traditional concepts in every field. But the cremation field has strong, up and coming opposition when it comes to Resomation, (Aquamation), as the result is still the same at the end, albeit with a much more uniformed coloured powder at the end when the body is processed with a water cremation.

The staff at Cremation Ink ® are used to handling this type of remains, as we have seem them being sent to us from all over the world, especially over the last two years. We still process them the same way and our clients get a high quality tattoo ink infused with their loved one. Getting their local tattoo studio to use the Cremation Ink ®, makes them feel more re-connected to the loved one they have loved.

If our infused tattoo inks interests you, then look around this site to find out more about Cremation Ink ®, or look below for more information on Aquamation.

What is resomation?

Resomation is a water-based, eco friendly alternative to flame cremation, also known as biological cremation, water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. Instead of fire, it uses water and an alkaline solution to gently break the body down to bone, which is then processed into a soft powder and returned to the family.

Can Cremation Ink use remains from resomation?

Yes. We work with resomation remains every week, sent to us from all over the world. They are processed in exactly the same way as standard cremation ashes, so we can infuse your loved one into our high quality tattoo ink, ready for your local studio to use on a memorial tattoo.

How does the resomation process work?

The body is placed in a special chamber and exposed to water, heat, gentle pressure and an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide. This speeds up the body’s natural breakdown until only the bone remains. The bone is then processed into a fine powder, just as with flame cremation.

How long does resomation take?

The process is usually completed in around three hours. Once finished, the soft tissue has broken down into a sterile liquid that no longer contains any DNA and is safe for standard disposal, leaving the bone behind.

Is resomation better for the environment?

Yes. It uses no fossil fuels and produces fewer emissions than flame cremation, giving it a lighter environmental footprint. It also avoids the toxic embalming chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that can be used in traditional burial and later leak into the soil. Nothing toxic or harmful to the environment is used in the resomation process.

Why do people choose resomation?

People choose it for several reasons. Many want a gentler, greener option and like the idea of a smaller environmental footprint. Others have a personal aversion to fire and prefer a calmer, more natural method. It also uses less fuel and costs less per kilowatt hour to run than conventional cremation.

Is resomation used for pets as well as people?

Yes. It can be used for both humans and animals. It was first used in the early 2000s in medical settings, and there is now a steady push to make this kind of green option available to everyone.

How do resomation remains differ from cremation ashes?

The end result is much the same, the bone remains of your loved one, but the colour differs. Resomation produces a more uniform, cream-white powder, while standard cremation ashes tend to look greyer and more speckled. At Cremation Ink ® both are handled in exactly the same way.

Is resomation the same as aquamation and alkaline hydrolysis?

In practice, yes. Resomation, aquamation, water cremation, flameless cremation and biological cremation are all names for the same water-based process, whose scientific name is alkaline hydrolysis. The different terms simply highlight different aspects of it.

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