Aquamation in Kingston and Napanee

Innovative and Carbon Friendly

Water cremation, also known as aquamation, is a gentle method of final disposition. Aquamation does in hours what nature does in months and years when a body is laid to rest. Through a combination of water flow, temperature, and alkalinity, we accelerate nature’s process of tissue hydrolysis to return the body to its natural form. The end result is safe remains that go into an urn for a family to take home, scatter, bury, or place in keepsake jewellery.


We find that many families are grateful to have a choice, and some prefer aquamation because it does not use fire or flame. Many consider it a gentle option and appreciate the reduced carbon footprint it leaves. Wartman Funeral Home is proud to provide aquamation in Kingston and Napanee, helping families across our communities choose a service that reflects their values.


With aquamation, an individual body is gently placed in a container that is then placed in a sterile stainless steel vessel. A combination of 95% water and 5% alkali (sodium and potassium hydroxide) are used in the process of tissue hydrolysis. These alkalis are safe for the environment and are the same type used in many common household products.


Upon completion, the water is returned safely to the ecosystem through the normal wastewater treatment facility. The process produces a completely sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soaps—by-products of natural decomposition.


Aquamation preserves approximately 20% more remains of your loved one. These remains are 100% safe, pathogen- and disease-free, and consist simply of bone material (calcium phosphate). Families may keep the aquamated remains in an urn, inter them in a grave or niche, or scatter them in a special place.

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Wartman Funeral Home is proud to offer is form of disposition to any family that we serve. We have been licensed by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) since 2016. We are proud to say we are the first Funeral Home in Ontario that was Licensed by the BAO. Since that time we have provided Aquamation services to hundreds of families across Ontario and Quebec.


Please feel free to call us or email if you have any questions about Aquamation.

Articles on Aquamation

Popular Questions


  • What actually happens?

    With alkaline hydrolysis, an individual body is gently placed in a stainless steel vessel. A combination of water, temperature and alkalinity are used to accelerate the natural process of tissue hydrolysis. A chemical reduction to bone  and liquid. Bone fragments are dried and reduced to a white powdery substance similiar to cremated remains.

  • Is the body dissolved in Acid....?

    No..... Alkaline hydrolysis uses a catalyst called Alkali, which is the chemical opposite of an acid. We use Alkali made from sodium and potassium salts

  • Are the alkalis in this process safe for the environment...?

    Yes...... The water-based process is 95% water and 5% akali. A combination of alkalis (Sodium and Potassium Hydroxide) are used in the process to break the body down. The akalis used in this process are the same aklais used in common cosmetic products, body washes, shaving creams, and even food preparation. At the end of the process, the chemical has been completely used.

  • What happens to the water......?

    The water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility. Just as all funeral homes do during the embalming process. The alkaline hydrolysis process produces a completely sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts and soap and water solution. These are by products of natural decomposition.

  • Are the powdered remains safe to handle...?

    Yes, the remains are 100% safe, pathogen and disease free. The remains that are returned to the family is simply bone mineral (skeletal remians), or  Calcium phosphate. The ashes may be kept in an urn, buried in a cemetery or scattered in a special place.