Positioning your practice as an environmentally conscious leader
By Judith Samson-French, DVM MSc
Extending compassion beyond a lifetime
Veterinarians are in the business of care—care that spans prevention, healing, and often, helping clients say goodbye. Increasingly, pet owners are asking a new question: Can my pet’s final care be as gentle on the planet as it was on their life?
This shift reflects a broader societal trend—one where environmental values are no longer an afterthought but an expectation. In response, aquamation—also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation—is emerging as a sustainable, respectful alternative to traditional cremation.
For veterinary practices, this isn’t just an aftercare decision—it’s an opportunity to lead.
What Is Aquamation?
Aquamation is a water-based process that accelerates natural decomposition. Using warm water, alkaline salts (typically potassium hydroxide), and a gentle flow, the body breaks down into its basic elements over 6–8 hours.
What remains is sterile liquid and bone minerals, which are processed into a fine, white powder similar in appearance to cremated ashes. Unlike fire cremation, aquamation operates at lower temperatures (200–300°F vs. 1,400–2,100°F) and emits no harmful substances.
Why it matters: Environmental impact
Lower carbon emissions
Aquamation produces up to 90% fewer carbon emissions than fire cremation – the reduction is significant—especially for clients trying to leave a lighter footprint.
Energy efficiency
Because it runs at lower temperatures, aquamation uses about one-eighth the energy of fire cremation.
No air pollutants
There are no harmful emissions, mercury vapors, or particulate matter—making this option attractive to those concerned about air quality and community health.
Water cycle friendly
The sterile liquid byproduct is nutrient-rich and safely processed to enrich farmers’ fields. No fossil fuels. No smoke. Just a clean return to the earth.
Benefits for pet owners
A gentler goodbye
Many clients appreciate the natural, water-based process, which feels more peaceful than combustion. For those who view pets as family, this gentle alternative provides emotional comfort.
More ashes returned
Aquamation typically returns 20–30% more remains than fire cremation—something clients often find meaningful when choosing how to memorialize their companion.
Safe and sterile
The highpH environment eliminates all pathogens. Clients can feel assured that the process is both dignified and safe.
A familiar end product
The resulting remains look and feel like traditional cremation ashes, making the transition seamless for families already familiar with that ritual.
Why it matters for your practice
Attract eco-conscious clients
Offering aquamation signals that your practice shares today’s environmental values. This resonates deeply with a growing group of pet owners seeking services that align with their beliefs.
Differentiate your brand
In a competitive veterinary landscape, early adoption of aquamation positions your clinic as innovative, forward-thinking, and values driven.
Boost team morale
Staff often feel proud to offer services that align with sustainability and compassion. This can enhance morale and reinforce your clinic’s culture of care.
Future-proof your services
Sustainability is no longer a niche concern. It’s a market force. Embracing aquamation now positions your practice ahead of the curve—not behind it.
The future of pet aftercare
Aquamation isn’t just the new environmental standard:it’s a new ethos. It extends the compassion at the heart of veterinary medicine into the environmental sphere.
As more clients ask, “What happens next?” after a pet’s passing, offering a sustainable, gentle option becomes not just good practice—but good leadership.
In a profession built on empathy, aquamation allows us to care for animals and the earth they called home.
Dr. Judith Samson-French is an OVC’89 graduate with a background in mixed and exotic animal practice. She founded Banded Peak Veterinary Hospital and served Bragg Creek, Alberta, for 25 years. Today, she serves as Veterinary Advisor for Gentle Waters Pet Memorial Services.
