How Much Does Aquamation Cost?

Aquamation, or water cremation, for humans costs between $995 and $5,095 in the USA in 2023. Most facilities charge between $1,500 and $3,200. The average price for aquamation is around $2,500. The cost varies between states. The cheapest states for aquamation are Missouri and Washington where costs can be less than $1,000. The most expensive states for aquamation are California and Vermont, where services cost $3,500-$4,600.

Aquamation typically costs more than the most affordable direct cremation options and the difference varies widely by state. 

What is Aquamation / Alkaline Hydrolysis?

The scientific name for aquamation is alkaline hydrolysis. It is a process to decompose bodies rapidly using water, alkaline chemicals, heat and pressure in a stainless steel chamber, leaving behind bone fragments. The process is known by a variety of other names including water cremation, flameless cremation, resomation, liquid cremation, hydro cremation, chemical cremation, chemical decomposition, wet cremation, water based cremation, hydromation and body liquefaction.

Availability of Aquamation Across States

Although aquamation is legal in 25 states, only 17 currently have facilities. Aquamation facilities are available in the following states:

You will still be able to access water cremation from outside of these states, but transport arrangements will need to be made and can add considerably to the cost.

Cost of Aquamation Across States

The average cost of aquamation across US states is $2,593, the median price is $2,371. This is based on a review by OccasionalSage.com of published pricing across 16 states taking into account 100 different providers in June 2023.

Alabama Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Alabama is $1,795. There is currently only one operator in the state, Miller Funeral Home based in Oxford, AL.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Alabama is 24% below the national median.

California Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in California is $3,950. There is currently just one aquamation facility in the state, in San Diego. There are at least five providers offering the service, with some sending bodies to Seattle, WA.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in California is 67% above the national median.

The lowest cost provider of aquamation in California is Still Waters Funeral Service based in San Diego, who charges $3,597 and uses a partner in Seattle for the aquamation.

Colorado Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in Colorado is $3,600. There are at least four providers although not all of these have their own facilities.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Colorado is 52% above the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Colorado costs $3,180, through Goes Funeral Care based in Fort Collins, CO. Goes have their own water cremation facilities.

Georgia Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Georgia is $1,895. There is currently only one operator in the state, Miller Funeral Home based in Tallapoosa, GA.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Georgia is 20% below the national median.

Idaho Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Idaho is $2,595. There is currently only one operator in the state, English Funeral Chapel based in North Idaho and also serving Eastern Washington.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Idaho is 9% above the national median.

Illinois Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in Illinois is $1,497. There are at least five providers although not all of these have their own facilities.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Illinois is 37% below the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Illinois costs $1,449, through Chicagoland Cremation Options based in Schiller Park, IL.

Maine Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Maine is $1,495. There is currently only one operator in the state, Direct Cremation of Maine based in Belfast, ME.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Maine is 37% below the national median.

Minnesota Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in Minnesota is $3,400. There are at least five providers although not all of these have their own facilities.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Minnesota is 43% above the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Minnesota costs $1,885, through Inspired Journeys based in St Paul, MN.

Missouri Aquamation Costs

The average cost of water cremation in Missouri is $2,095. Although this is across just two providers, one significantly cheaper than the other.

The average cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Missouri is 12% below the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Missouri costs $995, through Hughes Funeral Alternatives based in St Louis, MO. Hughes offers services to many other funeral homes in the area and across the country.

Nevada Aquamation Costs

The average cost of water cremation in Nevada is $2,928. Although this is across just two providers.

The average cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Nevada is 23% above the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Nevada costs $2,850, through Green Farewells based in Las Vegas, NV. Green Farewells was scheduled to open in June 2023.

North Carolina Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in North Carolina is $2,248. There are at least four providers and two actual facilities.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in North Carolina is 5% below the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in North Carolina costs $1,995, through Clay-Barnette and its partner Tranquility Cremation based at various locations in Shelby, Kings Mountain, Asheville and Wilmington, NC.

Ohio Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Ohio is $2,495. Although aquamation is no longer legal in Ohio, Edwards Funeral Service offers an arrangement with a partner based in Missouri.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Ohio is 5% above the national median.

Oregon Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in Oregon is $2,185. There are at least six providers although not all of these have their own facilities.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Oregon is 8% below the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Oregon costs $1,275, through Cascade Cremations based in Klamath Falls, OR. Cascade Cremations have their own facility.

Texas Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Texas is $2,724. Although aquamation is not legal in Texas, Cremation.Green offers an arrangement with a partner based in Missouri.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Texas is 15% above the national median.

Vermont Aquamation Costs

The cost of water cremation in Vermont is $4,616. There is currently only one operator in the state, Heald Funeral Home based in Saint Albans.

The cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Vermont is 95% above the national median.

Washington Aquamation Costs

The median cost of water cremation in Washington is $2,075. There are at least 60 providers offering aquamation although none of these have their own facility. One wholesale facility serves all of the state as well as out-of-state funeral service operators.

The median cost of alkaline hydrolysis in Washington is 12% below the national median.

The most affordable aquamation in Washington costs $995, through Chapel of the Resurrection based in Bothell, WA.

Aquamation vs Direct Cremation Costs

In most cases aquamation costs more than direct cremation with the difference varying by state. Water cremation is typically at least $500 to $900 more than direct cremation, or 35% to 100% more expensive.

Direct cremation refers to the lowest cost cremation option, without additional services.

In some states the difference is even greater. For example, in California the cheapest aquamation is $3,597 compared to direct cremation which can commonly be had for under $1,000. In California aquamation is at least 3x more expensive than direct cremation.

A review of pricing for 100 aquamation and cremation providers in Washington State by OccasionalSage.com found that the median price of aquamation was $2,705 compared to $1,505 for direct cremation. The median aquamation was $570 more expensive than direct cremation, or 38%. The cheapest aquamation was $995, $500 more than the cheapest direct cremation of $495.

Aquamation and Direct Cremation Inclusions

Aquamation costs are generally quoted to be comparable to the same level of services as direct cremation. Both services typically include:

• Pickup and transfer of the body to the crematorium / alkaline hydrolysis facility
• Flame or water based cremation procedure
• Associated paperwork 
• Return of ashes in basic container

Direct cremation and basic aquamation do not typically include:

• Funeral or memorial services
• Viewing or visitation with the body prior to cremation
• Urns
• Extras such as copies of death certificate

Why is Aquamation so Expensive?

The main reason water cremation is so expensive is that it is a relatively new practice with limited demand. Lower demand means that it takes longer for operators to recover their cost of investing in the alkaline hydrolysis machine. Although with prices as low as $995, some providers have shown they can still cover their costs at a relatively affordable level.

Other reasons why water cremation is expensive:

• Funeral directors don’t want to cut their profits on other services
  • Most directors that offer alkaline hydrolysis don’t own the equipment themselves so they have to pay a third party. If they own their own flame cremation equipment, they would make more from selling a traditional cremation.
  • Traditional funerals and burials are much more profitable for funeral directors, where they earn a good margin of caskets and other services.
• Limited competition
  • In many states there are just one or two operators. For example, California, Washington, Georgia, Alabama and Maine all have just one facility, limiting price competition.
• Expensive equipment
  • An alkaline hydrolysis machine costs between $180,000 to $270,000 or more. If demand is low, prices need to be high to cover the cost of the investment in the machine.
  • A flame cremation machine costs around $130,000 installed but also has higher running costs due to the energy requirement.
• Marketed to less price sensitive customers
  • Many providers target customers more focussed on being eco-friendly, and they are willing to pay a higher price to meet their objectives.