Gail Rubin presents... A Good Goodbye... Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die
  • Home
  • Speaker
    • Film Presentations
    • Testimonials
  • Funeral Services
    • Downsizing Information
    • Funeral Plans
    • Funeral Insurance
    • Cremation
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • ABQ Death Cafe
    • Before I Die ABQ
    • Funeral Planning Workshops
  • Online Store
    • Books
    • DVDs
    • “Time Flies” Note Cards
    • E-Books
    • Funeral Films
    • Planners
    • The Family Plot File
    • The Newly-Dead Game
  • Radio / TV
    • Radio Show
    • A Good Goodbye Podcasts
    • Mortality Minute
    • TV Series
  • Blog
    • Blog Roll
    • Resources
  • Media
    • News Coverage
    • News Releases
    • Press Kit
    • Radio Interviews
    • TV Interviews
    • Articles
  • About Gail
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

You are here: Home » Blog » A Good Goodbye Radio » Explaining Alkaline Hydrolysis on A Good Goodbye Radio

Explaining Alkaline Hydrolysis on A Good Goodbye Radio

by Gail Rubin
March 25th, 2016
Alkaline Hydrolysis High Temp System

Alkaline hydrolysis high temperature system from Bio-Response Solutions.

The use of cremation is growing in the United States, and so is interest in alkaline hydrolysis, also called “flameless cremation,” biocremation, aquamation, dissolution or resomation. It’s a greener disposition alternative with a smaller carbon footprint being used by some funeral homes in selected states.

The latest episode of A Good Goodbye Radio on FuneralRadio.com features an interview with Samantha “Sam” Seiber, biologist with Bio-Response Solutions, a leading provider of alkaline hydrolysis technology. In this 28-minute interview with host Gail Rubin, they discuss:

  • How the alkaline hydrolysis process uses water and alkalinity to reduce bodies safely and effectively to mineral remains and a sterile fluid that makes great fertilizer.
  • The growing number of funeral homes and medical schools using alkaline hydrolysis.
  • Responses from families when given a choice between fire and water-based cremation.
  • The use of alkaline hydrolysis for pet disposition.

Here’s how the process is described at the BioResponseFuneral.com website:

The alkaline hydrolysis process is essentially an accelerated form of the process which takes place in the natural cycle of life. A combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity is used to accelerate the natural course of breakdown accomplished by our ecosystem. At the end of the process the body has been returned to its natural form, dissolved in the water. Similar to cremation, the only solid remains are the mineral ash of the bones, which are returned to the family in an urn.

Alkaline hydrolysis offers families the opportunity to contribute to a gentle, greener process. Families can make a lasting contribution to the environment on behalf of their loved one by making a decision that saves energy and reduces pollution. The traditional funeral ceremony and returning of the ashes remains unchanged.

Family members who were among the first to choose this form of disposition for their loved one explained that they chose the option for the environment, and because to them it seemed more gentle and dignified than the traditional cremation process.

Listen to or download the podcast from FuneralRadio.com.

As of December, 2015, the following states accommodated alkaline hydrolysis as a form of cremation except those denoted by an (*). Other states are in the process of approving this disposition method. [alphabetical order]
1.       Colorado
2.       Florida
3.       Georgia
4.       Idaho
5.       Illinois
6.       Kansas
7.       Maine
8.       Maryland
9.       Minnesota* [as “alkaline hydrolysis”]
10.   Missouri [effective 2016]
11.   New Hampshire
12.   Oregon* [as “dissolution”]
13.   Vermont
14.   Wyoming* [as “chemical disposition”]
15.   In Canada:  Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan – all as cremation I believe, but I would need to confirm.
16.   Medical schools are able to obtain approval through the Dept of Health, because these institutions are not governed by funeral law.  There is a system in California at UCLA Medical School (Matthews) and one at UTSW Medical School in Texas (Bio-Response) – even though CA and TX are not approved for AH in funeral law.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories A Good Goodbye Radio
Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

« Announcing the All Men Are Cremated Equal T-Shirt!
Young People Need End-of-Life Plans, Too »

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ YouTube Subscribe to Blog

Search

FREE Funeral Planning Form!
Name
Email
Zip

Funeral Planning

KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die

Kicking the Bucket List Cover

Free “Executor Checklist” PDF Download: Click Here

It’s only $15.95 plus shipping. Order today!

MORE INFORMATION

From the Blog

  • Why not Spend Eternity in a Great American Pyramid?
  • Fun Photos from the ICCFA Funeral Convention
  • This Halloween, Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in New Mexico
  • Death Cartoon: Requiem for a Couch Potato
  • EternityGardens.com Sponsors Before I Die Festival in New Mexico
A Good Goodbye ~ Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die
Copyright © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Website by the Butterfly Herder
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: