What is ‘aquamation’? The eco-friendly way in which Desmond Tutu was cremated

Late South African bishop and human rights activist Desmond Tutu. Photo: AFP

South African bishop and human rights activist Desmond Tutu passed away last week at the age of 90 on December 26. Being the influential personality that he was, he stuck to his values even at the time of his death. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was cremated on January 2, was laid to rest using the eco-friendly method of aquamation and a cheap coffin.

Known to be an environmentalist, Tutu had requested for the method, according to a CNN report. The process is unlike any other usually used by people who follow Christianity around the world. While different cultures have unique burial traditions due to their own rich diversity, burning the body to ashes or burial are still some of the commonly known methods used to lay a person to rest. However, aquamation seems to be here to stay.

Here's what you need to know about the cremation method:

What is aquamation?
Aquamation is a process of alkaline hydrolysis, which is an accelerated version of the body's decomposition process. According to the website of US-based Bio-Response Solutions, a company that specialises in sustainable, non-burn technologies, the water-based cremation is a combination of gentle water flow, temperature and alkalinity, which are used to break down organic materials.

Why is it unique?
The process, which is also called flameless cremation, is considered an eco-friendly alternative to the usual cremation or burial process. According to the website of UK-based Resomation, which promotes the idea of natural water cremation, the process reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases by approximately 35 per cent.

How is it done?
According to Bio-Response Solutions, the process of aquamation is done by placing the body of the dead in a stainless steel vessel after the last respects before cremation. The vessel is then filled with alkali based on the different characteristics of the body, and it is filled with water. "The solution of 95 per cent water and 5 per cent alkali is heated to 200-300°F, and gently circulated for the entire length of the process," according to the company based out of Danville, Indiana.

What are the other eco-friendly methods of burial?
Apart from aquamation, Green burial is another method known to be used around the world. The process makes use of a biodegradable coffin or shroud placed in the ground. The idea is to let the body decompose by itself and return back to the mud. According to the information available on the website of US-based Funeral Consumers Alliance, a non-profit organisation that deals with funerals, the process is not only sustainable but also cost-effective and highlights the use of lesser resources in the burial process.

In Japan, tree burials are becoming popular because of the lack of space. While the bodies are cremated and the ashes are placed in the ground, a tree is also planted over it to mark the grave of the person.