Have You Heard Of Resomation?

To be honest, I hadn’t heard of Resomation until very recently. So, what exactly is it? Instead of a traditional cremation which creates ashes, it is a means of breaking down a deceased’s body to create a fine powder using alkaline hydrolysis (a process using 95% water, 5% alkaline, steam and a drying process.) These “ashes” can be interred, scattered or perhaps turned into memorial jewellery in the same way as traditional ashes.

Resomation (also known as Water Cremation) is already legal in several countries (including 28 states in the USA and Scotland.) In England and Wales, the Law Commission recently published its final report on New Funerary Methods which will pave the way for legislation to be laid before Parliament. If passed, with secondary regulations in place, Resomation will offer the bereaved a third funeral choice alongside burials and traditional cremations. This will be the biggest change since cremation was introduced in 1885. There are several perceived advantages including:

• Using water rather than flame appeals as gentler and more natural.

• It offers a solution to the lack of space for burials.

• There are no direct harmful air emissions.

• It uses more sustainable products and biodegradable products.

• It is tried and tested technology.

The bereaved will have a wider choice of where to hold a funeral service.

Resomation is on the way to becoming the Third Funeral Choice in England and Wales, watch this space.