Tracker: Where Is Aquamation Legal In The US?

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Team Earth

Green Funeral Practice

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October 30, 2023

Note: This page is updated to retain accuracy as a guide to where aquamation is legal in the US. Legislative changes are monitored and updates are reflected in the table below.

As people have become more concerned about the impact of their lives on the planet, attention has turned to environmental impacts at the end of life. As a result, green funeral options are available to more US citizens than ever before.

One of these options is aquamation, an eco-friendly funeral option that was first legalized in a US state at the beginning of the century. While processes like human composting have proved more popular and appealing, aquamation has been legalized in quite a number of states, details of which can be found below.

What is aquamation?

Aquamation is an alternative to burial and cremation which is friendlier to the planet. The process breaks down a body using pressure, heat, water and lye. At the end of the process there is a benign liquid called hydrolysate as well as bone remains.

The process is sometimes known as ‘water cremation’ due to the large volumes of water used, or 'alkaline hydrolysis’ because of the lye (an alkaline solution). Aquamation is sometimes also referred to as ‘resomation’, 'flameless cremation’ or 'biocremation’.

You can read about the process in greater depth in our aquamation overview.

Where is aquamation legal?

Aquamation is legal in about 28 US states, having been first legalized in Minnesota in 2003.

While the process is legal in plenty of states, it is still difficult for most US citizens to choose aquamation as there are so few facilities. Many of the states that have legalized alkaline hydrolysis are yet to see providers who offer the process.

US State Legal Status Notes
Alabama Legal Aquamation has been legal in Alabama since 2017
Alaska No law yet
Arizona Legal Aquamation has been legal in Arizona since 2023
Arkansas No law yet
California Legal Aquamation has been legal in California since 2017. Natural organic reduction is also legal in California
Colorado Legal Aquamation has been legal in Colorado since 2011. Natural organic reduction is also legal in Colorado
Connecticut Legal Aquamation is legal in Connecticut as per the Substitute Senate Bill No. 142
Delaware No law yet
Florida Legal Aquamation has been legal in Florida since 2010
Georgia Legal Aquamation has been legal in Georgia since 2012
Hawaii Legal Aquamation has been legal in Hawaii since 2022
Idaho Legal Aquamation has been legal in Idaho since 2014
Illinois Legal Aquamation has been legal in Illinois since 2012
Indiana No law yet
Iowa No law yet
Kansas Legal Aquamation has been legal in Kansas since 2010
Kentucky No law yet
Louisiana No law yet
Maine Legal Aquamation has been legal in Maine since 2009
Maryland Legal Aquamation has been legal in Maryland since 2011
Massachusetts No law yet
Michigan Legal While not currently regulated, aquamation appears to be available in Michigan
Minnesota Legal Aquamation has been legal in Minnesota since 2003
Mississippi No law yet
Missouri Legal Aquamation is legal in Missouri, with the term 'cremation' interpreted to include aquamation
Montana No law yet
Nebraska No law yet
Nevada Legal

About Earth

At Earth, we provide soil transformation services. Like aquamation, this is an environmentally-friendly alternative to cremation and traditional burial.

Sometimes known as human composting or natural organic reduction, soil transformation gently transforms a body into nutrient-rich soil. Families choose how much soil they'd like returned - to scatter or plant - with the remainder sent to local conservation sites for land restoration purposes.

Our process is appealing to nature lovers and those concerned about the future of the planet. If you’re interested in exploring sustainable funeral options, you can read more about our services and get an instant online quote.

We have plenty of green funeral resources on our website, including another legislation table showing the legal status of soil transformation and the progress of relevant bills across the US.

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