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Water Cremation vs Electric Cremation

Water Cremation is very eco-friendly, but what about Electric Cremation? How does Electric Cremation compare to Water Cremation?
Water Cremation vs Electric Cremation
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As cremation continues to become the preferred method of disposition for more Americans, new services are expanding the options. One of the latest services is electric cremation. All-electric cremation is highly effective, safe and efficient, but does it offer the same benefits as water cremation

Keep reading to learn the key similarities and differences between water cremation and electric cremation. 

Similarities Between Alkaline Hydrolysis and Electric Cremation

If you’ve been researching cremation services, you may have come across information on water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis. It’s a relatively new cremation option, but the concept of electric cremation is even newer. Let’s start by taking a quick look at how water cremation and electric cremation are the same. 

Powered by Electricity

The power source for electric cremation is obviously electricity, but electricity is also used in water cremation. Alkaline hydrolysis uses 90 kWh of electricity per cremation to heat the solution that’s inside the cremation chamber. Electric cremation uses roughly 15 kWh per hour. 

More Eco-Friendly Than Traditional Services

Both water cremation and electric cremation are more eco-friendly than burial and traditional gas-powered cremation because far fewer harmful byproducts are produced and less energy is used. Water cremation’s carbon footprint is only a quarter of flame cremation’s carbon footprint. However, the percentage is even lower if the electricity for cremation is generated using renewable resources. The same is true for electric cremation. 

Affordable and Convenient

Compared to traditional burial and cremation, electric cremation and water cremation are affordable. The services can be provided for less than $2,000. 

Bones Remain and Are Used to Make the Cremains

Although the cremation methods are very different in how the body is disposed, both leave behind the bones. Alkaline hydrolysis actually preserves more of the bone than traditional flame cremation, which results in more cremains.

Differences Between Water Cremation and Electric Cremation

Although water cremation and all-electric cremation are similar in key ways, they also have some clear differences that could determine which service is the best option.

Water Use

The most obvious difference between water cremation and electric cremation is the use of water. All-electric cremation doesn’t involve water to cremate, whereas alkaline hydrolysis relies on it. A typical alkaline hydrolysis cremation uses approximately 300 gallons of a solution that’s 95% water and 5% sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The solution-filled chamber is heated and the pressure is increased to naturally decompose the body in the matter of a few hours. 

Electric cremation only requires a small amount of water for treating gasses that are created inside the cremating chamber. 

Alkaline Hydrolysis Creates Effluent 

The process of water cremation essentially liquifies all of the body’s tissue leaving behind the bones and solution. The liquid solution is now something called effluent. The effluent is sterile and completely safe. It contains amino acids, peptides, salts and sugars. 

The high heat of electric cremation incinerates and disintegrates the soft tissue. So nothing is left over afterward except the bones. 

Electric Cremation is Faster

Both alkaline hydrolysis and electric cremation are fairly quick processes from start to finish, but electric cremation is faster. Water cremation can take between three and 16 hours to complete. Electric cremation takes just 2-3 hours. 

The experts at Green Cremation Texas can provide more information on eco-friendly cremation services. You can get in touch with us by phone, text or email any day of the week.

Marlaena Gonzales

Marlaena Gonzales

Funeral Director
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