Aquamation is a natural, water-based process that provides a more eco-friendly farewell. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, aquamation uses water instead of fire to return your pet to nature gently. This process uses 90% less energy than cremation, with no harmful emissions, making it a kinder choice for both your pet and the planet.
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Aquamation
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Alongside traditional cremation, we are proud to offer aquamation—a natural, water-based process that provides a more eco-friendly farewell. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, aquamation uses water instead of flames to return your pet to nature gently. This process uses 90% less energy than cremation, with no harmful emissions, making it a kinder choice for both your pet and the planet.
How aquamation works
A gentle and natural goodbye
Aquamation is a gentle, natural process that uses warm water and an alkaline solution to return your pet to nature, just as streams and soils would over time. This eco-friendly alternative to flame cremation mimics a process that has existed in nature for eons.
Benefits of aquamation
A softer, more
natural process
Aquamation uses the natural power of water to return your pet to nature in a gentle and respectful way. Without the use of fire or high heat, this soothing, environmentally conscious process provides comfort to pet owners who want a more natural option.
A thoughtful &
sustainable choice
A process that mirrors nature’s way of saying goodbye, uses significantly less energy than cremation and releases no harmful emissions. Aquamation often provides more remains than traditional cremation, allowing for a meaningful keepsake.
Keeping their
memory close
Once the process is complete, your pet’s ashes will be carefully prepared and returned to you in an urn or keepsake of your choosing. This allows you to cherish their memory in a way that feels right for you.
Frequently asked questions.
Unlike flame cremation, which uses fire and high temperatures, aquamation is a softer process that uses warm water and alkali to naturally break down remains. It is also eco-friendly, using 90% less energy and producing no harmful emissions. Additionally, aquamation returns more ashes to pet owners.
Yes. Aquamation is one of the most sustainable pet aftercare options available. It produces no air pollution, avoids the carbon emissions associated with cremation, and leaves only a sterile, nutrient-rich water solution that is safely returned to the environment.
The liquid produced is simply water and minerals. It is safely neutralised and processed through a local wastewater system.
The process typically takes around 10 hours depending on the size of the pet. We aim to get your pet returned to you within 3-5 working days.
The ashes from a flame cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, along with some ash from the cremation box or casket, clothing, and anything else that may have been placed in the process with the body. The ashes from water cremation are only the mineral remains from the bone, as there are no other materials in the ash. The ash colour from a flame process is typically grey whereas the ash colour from water cremation is anywhere from white to tan.
Letters of love
Thank you for your gentle and respectful care of our Cheyenne, we got her back today in her beautiful box. She was a special Akita and the love of our life. We miss her dearly.
L. Scott
Thank you for keeping a park for me just outside the door, for the caring ear as I talked about my dear girl before handing her over, the gentleness with which she was handled and your phone call to let me know she was on her way back to me. She my twelfth cat you have cremated for me and each time the same great caring service. Thank you for that, it makes leaving my beloved friends just that bit easier.
L. Seaton
My family and I would like thank you from the deepest part of our hearts for taking care of our beautiful big boy Zion. He is perfect. You have all done a wonderful job with him. Having him home with us has closed the void a little, but nothing could ever replace his absence. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Zion and our Family.” With our deepest appreciation, Louise, Kevin, Tama & Huney
Louise, Kevin, Tama & Huney
We recently had to have our much loved dog put down after 17 years. It was very hard on all of the family who had been through many events together. We took him to Fond Farewells and left our pet in their care where he was looked after. As part of the process with getting his urn some things outside Fond Farewells’ control did not go to plan and some processes could have been better. However, Andrea from Fond Farewells took ownership of the issue and ensured we were left as very satisfied customers. I would recommend them to any pet owners.
Rick
Our Harry was cremated here, we got his ashes back today with a lovely card and as we live in Hokitika we feel blessed our vet told us about Fond Farewells. Very positive feed back. Thank you so much.
Michele
I’m just wanting to say thank you so much for the photos of Zarnas paws, they are perfect and it means so much to me that you took the time to do this for me, thank you so much for all that you do , your service has made saying goodbye to Zarna that little bit easier ❤️
Brianna
I’d just like to say a heart felt Thank You for my fur babies you cremated. I feel so much better they are home. We are so grateful for your service and the card and packaging was so lovely, our pets were a huge part of our family. Much love to you.
The Walkers
