England and Wales Takes a Step Closer to Legalising Water Cremation 

The Law Commission publishes final report and draft Bills for the legislation of modern funeral methods in England and Wales. 

England and Wales have moved a step closer to legalising alkaline hydrolysis, often referred to as “water cremation”,   following the publication of a final report and draft Bills by the Law Commission.

The draft legislation sets out a framework within which new or “modern” funeral methods could be introduced in future.

While this does not make alkaline hydrolysis legal immediately, the Bills, if accepted by the respective Governments of England and Wales, could create the legal foundation for the development of regulations to specifically allow alkaline hydrolysis as an additional funeral choice.

Helen Chandler, General Manager of Kindly Earth, whose role is to support the introduction of alkaline hydrolysis, said:

“Today’s draft Bills marks a meaningful step towards expanding funeral choice in England and Wales.

“For more than a century, people have had only two options –  burial or cremation – and this begins the process of considering a third within a clear regulatory framework.”

Alkaline hydrolysis is a process that uses water with 5% alkaline solution to break down the body, replicating the natural process of decomposition that occurs following burial, but over a much shorter period of three to four hours. The process takes place in a sealed, pressurised chamber at a maximum 150 °C.

After the process is complete, the remaining bones are dried and reduced to a fine white powder. This is returned to the family in an urn or container of their choice, in the same way as ashes following cremation.

The method is already available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

Families who choose alkaline hydrolysis say it feels like a gentler and more environmentally conscious alternative. The process produces no direct emissions to air, and there is potential to reduce the use of traditional single-use coffins.

Kindly Earth is a partner of Resomation Ltd, the exclusive UK manufacturer of alkaline hydrolysis equipment.

Kindly Earth advises UK funeral directors about the process, including offering training sessions to help explain alkaline hydrolysis to families.