12-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) Janice Soh, a project manager from Singapore, recently made a heartfelt decision for her ailing toy poodle, Toffee. After seeing a video shared by a friend about aquamation, also known as water cremation, conducted by The Green Mortician, Soh knew it was the best choice for her beloved pet. Toffee, born in 2008, had been admitted to the hospital due to suspected congestive heart failure.
“After watching the video, I felt assured and finally found the strength to let her go,” Soh shared with The Straits Times. “I told Toffee that she no longer needed to worry about mommy and could stop fighting and struggling.”
On April 22, Toffee was peacefully put to sleep. The following day, The Green Mortician, the first and only provider of aquamation in Singapore since March 2023, performed the water cremation for the dog. Approximately a week later, Soh received Toffee’s ashes, which she now carries everywhere in a koester stone, a vessel that seals the departed’s ashes.
Soh, who paid $577 for the service, explained that Toffee had always enjoyed her baths, and she wanted an eco-friendly cremation option for her beloved pet. “The whole process was gentle, respectful, and peaceful, and it aided in the grieving and healing journey as a pet parent,” she expressed, hoping that aquamation would eventually be extended to humans.
The founders of The Green Mortician, Mr. Yang Loo, 28, and Mr. Joe Kam, 47, share the same aspiration. The duo has conducted aquamation procedures on 50 pets at their 2,000 sq ft facility in Jurong East’s Toh Guan Centre. Their aquamation system, imported from the United States at a cost of US$200,000 (S$270,000), serves dogs, cats, birds, and hamsters.
“In Singapore, where land is scarce, there is a growing acceptance and demand for an additional end-of-life solution considering the limited options available,” explained Mr. Loo.
Aquamation, scientifically referred to as alkaline hydrolysis, has been widely available for pets in the United States for several years. It has also been legalized for human remains in various countries and states in the US. The technology has been used by universities and scientific industries for over 25 years and has been adopted for the final disposal of human bodies donated to medical science since 1995. Even the body of the late Nobel Peace laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, underwent aquamation. Archbishop Tutu, who passed away in 2021, emphasized the significance of addressing climate change as “one of the greatest moral challenges of our time.”
Unlike traditional flame cremation, which employs intense heat of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius, aquamation operates at a much lower temperature below 95 degrees Celsius. A complete cycle uses 900 liters of water to process a maximum capacity of 181 kg of carcasses per day. Aquamation significantly reduces the carbon footprint, emitting only one-tenth of the greenhouse gases produced by flame-based cremations. Moreover, as there is no burning involved, there are no harmful emissions released.
In the aquamation process, the body is gently exposed to a warm solution consisting of 95 percent water and 5 percent alkali for several hours within a clean stainless steel system. This hydrolysis process uses water and bases to break down organic tissue into their molecular components, such as amino acids and salts. It is a process similar to decomposition but accelerated. Compared to flame cremation, aquamation also returns 20 to 40 percent more ash to families.
“We have designed our facility to be less somber and more comforting, with high ceilings and nature-inspired decor,” Mr. Loo added. The natural artisanal urns provided by The Green Mortician resemble modern art pieces, offering families a sense of solace.
While aquamation takes longer than traditional flame cremation, many pet owners appreciate the additional time for their final farewell. Sayhui Leong, a marketing executive, opted for aquamation for her 14-year-old mongrel, Ginger, in May. Ginger had passed away due to injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident. Leong chose aquamation because Ginger loved nature, and it felt like the most natural form of cremation for her.
“Most cremation places offer about 30 to 45 minutes, but we were given two hours to bid our farewells,” Leong shared. “It felt like a moment and space for us to celebrate her life as well.”
One major barrier to widespread adoption of water cremation is the price tag. The Green Mortician charges a net amount ranging from $577 to $777 for the water cremation alone. The cost is influenced by the treatment of the used water at a licensed facility, which can account for up to 50 percent of the total expenses.
Mr. Loo is currently in discussions with the national water agency, PUB, and the National Environmental Agency to explore ways to repurpose the used water, making the entire process more sustainable and cost-effective. The alkaline hydrolysis process produces a sterile solution containing amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soap in a water solution. These by-products of natural decomposition can serve as an alternative way to fertilize crops and plants.
In some countries, this liquid solution is used to enhance soil fertility.
Mr. Loo emphasized that there is no right or wrong choice between the two cremation methods; it is simply a matter of preference. “Our aquacremation services provide an additional option, and people appreciate having choices.”
