What Actually Happens During Aquamation: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

For many pet owners, aquamation is still an unfamiliar process, and it's natural to want to understand exactly what happens to your pet once they're in our care. We believe transparency matters, especially during such a difficult time. Here is an honest, step-by-step walkthrough of how the aquamation process works from start to finish.

Step 1: Your Pet Arrives With Care

Whether your pet is brought to us directly or picked up from your home or veterinarian, they are treated with the same gentleness and respect from the moment they arrive. Our team handles every pet personally, never as a routine task, and we keep families informed throughout the process.

Step 2: Each Pet Gets Their Own Private Compartment

Every pet is assigned a unique identification tag that stays with them throughout the entire process, from arrival to the return of their ashes. For a private service, your pet is placed in their own individual compartment, separate from any other animal, so the ashes returned to you are theirs alone. For families who choose a communal service, pets are processed together as a more affordable option for those who don't need ashes returned.

Step 3: The Alkaline Hydrolysis Process Begins

Aquamation uses a combination of gently flowing water, a mild alkaline solution, and controlled temperature to accelerate what is essentially a natural process. The water is heated to a precise 200°F, far below the extreme heat used in flame-based cremation. There is no open flame at any point in the process, which is part of what makes aquamation such a gentle alternative.

Step 4: Gentle Processing Over 20 to 24 Hours

The full process takes between 20 and 24 hours to complete. Throughout this time, the water and gentle agitation work together to carry out what would otherwise occur naturally over a much longer period. Because the process is slow and low-temperature compared to flame cremation, it is particularly gentle on bone structure, which is part of why aquamation tends to yield more ash than traditional methods.

Step 5: The Remains Are Carefully Prepared

Once the process is complete, what remains is bone, which is then gently dried and processed into the fine, ash-like substance that families receive. Just as with traditional cremation, these are commonly referred to as ashes, though they are technically cremated bone remains. The sterile water byproduct from the process is safely returned to the water treatment system, free of DNA and completely safe. You can read more in our post on what happens to the water after aquamation.

Step 6: Your Pet's Ashes Are Returned to You

For private services, your pet's ashes are placed in an urn or container of your choosing and returned to you, often along with a paw print or other keepsake if you've requested one. We proudly publish our pricing for full transparency, and we're always available to answer questions before, during, or after the process.

Why Families Choose to Understand Every Step

Knowing exactly what happens during aquamation brings many families peace of mind during an already emotional time. Whether you're planning ahead or navigating a recent loss, understanding the process can make the decision feel less uncertain. This holds true no matter what kind of companion you've lost, including exotic and small pets, who go through the same careful, individualized process.

If you have questions about any part of this process, our FAQ page covers many of the questions we hear most often, and our team is always happy to walk you through anything that isn't covered there. Please don't hesitate to reach out whenever you're ready.