Setting the Record Straight by Runar Frømyhr
Runar Frømyhr, Ambassador for Resomation in Norway, responds to concerns raised in a recent local publication about alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. In the blog below, he addresses common misconceptions and highlights its safety, dignity, and environmental benefits.
Setting the Record Straight on Water Cremation:
A Dignified, Proven and Sustainable Alternative by Runar Frømyhr
In the article “Now We Can’t Wait Any Longer” (Gravplassen no. 4/2024), Sissel Bryne expresses scepticism about water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis — a method that’s gaining global traction as a greener alternative to traditional burial and flame cremation.
Concerns were raised about the scientific foundation, ethical implications, and practical implementation of water cremation. As a company that collaborates with international suppliers experienced in this field, we feel it’s important to offer clarity — and respond with facts, real-world experience, and expert insight.
A Proven and Respected Method
Water cremation is far from experimental. It has been in regular use for over 15 years, with more than 20,000 successful cremations performed using our equipment alone. The Alkaline Hydrolysis process is already legal and accepted in nearly 30 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, and countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland — and is close to being introduced in the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Authorities like the Dutch Health Council have conducted extensive reviews, including life-cycle analyses and health and safety evaluations. Their 2020 report concluded that alkaline hydrolysis meets the highest standards of safety, dignity, and sustainability. A 2011 TNO study even found that water cremation has the lowest environmental impact compared to both earth burial and flame cremation.
This is not a new technology on trial — it’s a mature and responsible solution already accepted by families, professionals, and regulators worldwide.
Respect and Dignity at Every Step
One of the most important aspects of any funeral method is the dignity with which the deceased is treated. In water cremation, this is paramount. The process does not involve flame or combustion. The body is respectfully placed in a biodegradable shroud or simple transfer coffin and carefully transferred into a sealed stainless-steel chamber.
Highly trained operators oversee the automated process, which uses a water-based solution under controlled conditions. When complete, the result is a sterile liquid and clean, white bone ash — the same inorganic remains that families receive after flame cremation, though often more in volume and purity.
A moving example comes from Ireland, where an infant just 11 weeks old was cremated using this method. While flame cremation would have left almost no ash due to the softness of the bones, water cremation yielded over 100 grams — offering the family something tangible to hold onto in their grief.
Environmental Benefits and Safe Practices
One of the strongest arguments for water cremation is its environmental impact — or rather, the lack of it. There are no emissions to air: no CO₂, dioxins, mercury, or particulates. The process uses a mild alkaline solution (about 5% potassium hydroxide in water), a substance commonly found in everyday products including soap, cosmetics, and even food processing.
After the process, the pH is automatically reduced before the sterile, DNA-free liquid is safely discharged into the municipal wastewater system. This liquid contains only natural organic compounds — amino acids, sugars, salts — and is similar in composition to wastewater from food production. Extensive testing, including independent lab reports, confirms its safety and full compliance with environmental standards.
Compared to traditional cremation, which requires high-energy burners and sophisticated flue gas treatments, water cremation uses significantly less energy.
Responding to Concerns with Facts
It’s natural to feel uncertain about new methods, particularly when they involve something as personal and sensitive as death. However, many of the criticisms we hear stem from unfamiliarity rather than factual issues.
Some worry that the process sounds undignified or overly clinical. Others raise concerns about staff training, chemical use, or waste management. But when you look at the operational reality, these concerns are addressed by robust protocols, strict oversight, and decades of experience.
Water cremation facilities are fully automated, sealed systems with inbuilt safety checks. Chemicals are stored in approved containers, and the process is both respectful and safe. Operators are thoroughly trained, and feedback from staff internationally confirms that many view the role as meaningful, ethical, and aligned with their commitment to honouring the deceased.
The Path Forward for Norway
Norway, like many countries, faces new challenges in its burial sector: land shortages in cities, rising cremation rates, and a growing demand for sustainable solutions. While flame cremation has served its purpose, it is time to expand the available options.
Water cremation offers:
- Zero air emissions
- Lower energy consumption
- Simple recycling of implants
- Space-efficient burial of ashes
- A perceived gentler process that aligns with many people’s values
This is not about replacing existing methods — it’s about giving families a choice. A dignified, scientifically validated, and environmentally responsible alternative.
We believe Norway is ready to explore this path. A test facility would allow decision-makers and the public to experience first-hand how water cremation works — not in theory, but in practice. It’s an opportunity to modernise, to lead on sustainability, and to ensure that every farewell reflects both personal wishes and collective responsibility.
Conclusion
Water cremation is a dignified, safe, and proven method of laying a loved one to rest. It is backed by strong scientific evidence, used by thousands of families globally, and offers a future-focused alternative to traditional practices.
Let’s move the conversation forward with openness, compassion, and a commitment to facts. The time has come for Norway to take this step.
Sincerely,
Runar Frømyhr
on behalf of Ecograve