Water Cremation Is Growing in the US – What Could This Mean for the UK?

Water cremation is still unfamiliar to many people in the UK. Internationally, however, interest in this alternative to traditional flame cremation is growing.

Also known as alkaline hydrolysis or aquamation, water cremation uses water, temperature and alkali rather than flame to accelerate the natural process that occurs when a body returns to its constituent elements.

Recent market research in the United States provides an interesting indication of how the funeral sector may be changing.

A growing market for water cremation

Research published by Coherent Market Insights estimates the US aquamation market at approximately $140.5 million in 2026 and forecasts considerable growth through 2033.

Market forecasts should always be treated as projections rather than guarantees. Nevertheless, the research highlights something potentially more important than the headline numbers: growing interest in alternatives to conventional methods of cremation and burial.

This raises an important question.

Could similar changes eventually happen in the UK?

Why are families looking at alternatives?

Funeral choices have evolved considerably over recent decades.

Traditional burial remains important to many families, while flame cremation has become the most common form of committal in Britain.

But expectations surrounding funerals are continuing to change.

Families are increasingly interested in:

• Greater choice.
• More personalised funerals.
• Environmental considerations.
• Clearer information about what happens after death.
• Alternatives to traditional funeral practices.

Water cremation potentially adds another choice.

Rather than replacing burial or flame cremation, it could sit alongside them.

Environmental awareness is influencing funeral choices

Sustainability is becoming part of many decisions people make during their lives.

It is therefore unsurprising that people are beginning to ask questions about the environmental impact of what happens after death.

These include questions about energy consumption, emissions, land use, materials and transportation.

Water cremation is frequently discussed as a potentially lower-impact alternative to flame cremation.

However, environmental comparisons need to be made carefully. Energy use and carbon impact can vary depending on technology, energy supply, transportation and how individual facilities operate.

Aquatorium® believes environmental claims should therefore be supported by credible evidence rather than marketing language alone.

Funeral professionals will be important

One of the interesting themes emerging from US market research is the importance of funeral homes in introducing families to water cremation.

This makes sense.

Most people do not spend their lives researching funeral methods. They encounter these decisions at a difficult and emotional moment.

Funeral professionals therefore have an important role in explaining the choices available.

If water cremation develops in Britain, funeral directors are likely to become one of the most important sources of information for families considering it.

Awareness comes before adoption

One of the biggest challenges facing water cremation is simply that many people have never heard of it.

Even the terminology can initially be confusing.

Water cremation may also be described as:

Alkaline hydrolysis

Aquamation

Resomation

Although these terms can be useful technically and for research, Aquatorium® generally uses water cremation because it provides families with a straightforward description of the alternative to flame cremation.

As awareness grows, education will become increasingly important.

Families will understandably want to know how the process works, what happens to the water, what happens to the mineral remains and whether they can still hold the funeral they want.

What could happen in the UK?

It would be wrong to assume that developments in America will automatically be repeated in Britain.

Funeral customs, regulations, infrastructure and consumer expectations differ between countries.

However, international developments can provide useful insight into how new funeral choices emerge.

Water cremation is moving from being an unfamiliar technology towards becoming a recognised funeral option in a growing number of places.

The question for Britain may therefore gradually change from:

“What is water cremation?”

to:

“When and where will water cremation be available?”

Creating another choice for families

Aquatorium® believes the future of funeral care should offer families greater choice.

For some people, traditional burial will remain the right decision.

For others, flame cremation will continue to be preferred.

And for some families, water cremation may offer an alternative that better reflects their personal or environmental values.

The important principle is choice supported by clear, accurate information.

As international experience develops, Aquatorium® will continue following the evidence, regulatory developments and changing attitudes towards water cremation.

Water, Not Flame.