Water-based Cremation

The Aquamation process does produce cremains, so with a private or exclusive Aquamation, you will get their ash-like remains back.

Because Aquamation is flameless, their ashes don’t become discoloured, so they will be white or very light in colour.

And because the process is so gentle, you will receive 20% more ashes back than you would otherwise.

If your pet passes away at home, simply contact us at: info@watermarkpethospice.ca or at: 604-655-9936.

One of your team members can come to your home and respectfully transport your pet back to our Hospice Centre, or guide you on how to bring your pet to us. From there, we can help to facilitate whichever aftercare option you choose.

Transportation fees will apply and may vary depending on your location.

Within a 20km radius of the Watermark Hospice Centre, our pick-up fee is $100 during business hours.

For pick-up services outside that radius, additional $1.25/km is applied, simply to cover our costs.

After-hour pick-ups are also available for an additional fee.

Yes. The remains given back to you after the Aquamation process are 100% safe to handle. Alkaline hydrolysis is a proven sterilization process that results in pathogen and disease free remains.

Unfortunately, no. Only organic matter can be placed into the Aquamation chamber.

However, upon request, any items delivered with your pet can be washed and returned to you or donated to a good cause.

The end-of-life process is so personal and we encourage you to choose whichever aftercare option feels right for you and your pet. Whichever option you choose, whether it is Aquamation or traditional cremation, we will support you through the decision-making process and take care of the arrangements on your behalf.

With Aquamation, there are no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This process does not burn any fossil fuels. It is very energy efficient - greater than 90% energy savings compared to flame cremation, with 1/10th of the carbon footprint.

The Aquamation process produces a completely sterile solution of amino acids, sugars, nutrients, salts, and soap in a water solution. These are the byproducts of natural decomposition. The water is returned to the ecosystem via the normal wastewater treatment facility.

The process takes place in a specialized stainless steel chamber. Here’s a step-by-step look at what happens:

1. Placement & Preparation
   
   The pet’s body is respectfully placed inside the sealed chamber. The system is then filled with a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali, potassium hydroxide (KOH). This is a same safe, non-toxic substance found in common household and cosmetic products, used here in carefully controlled concentrations.

2. The Hydrolysis Reaction
   
   The chamber is gently heated to around 160°C (320°F) and maintained under moderate pressure to prevent boiling. Over the course of 18 hours, the combination of heat, alkali, and gentle water flow breaks down the organic tissues through a process known as alkaline hydrolysis.

   In chemical terms, hydrolysis is the cleavage of chemical bonds by the addition of water. In this case, the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the body are broken down into their basic building blocks — amino acids, peptides, sugars, and soaps — all of which dissolve into the water solution.

3. What Remains
   
   At the end of the process, two things remain:

   • A sterile, amber-colored liquid, made up of amino acids, sugars, and nutrients — completely free of DNA or pathogens. This liquid is safe for the environment and is typically returned to the ecosystem through municipal wastewater treatment, just like natural runoff from a burial.

   • Soft, porous bone fragments, which are completely free of organic material. These are gently dried, processed into a fine powder (just like with flame cremation), and returned to the family as ashes.

Yes, we offer financial assistance through The Potato Memorial Fund, a donation-based fund created to provide partial or full support for euthanasia and cremation services. We understand how difficult this time is, and our goal is to help ease the burden on families in need.

If you would like to apply for assistance, please reach out to us at info@watermarkpethospice.ca or visit our contact page. We are here to support you and your pet through this challenging time.

Please note that while we strive to assist as many families as possible, the fund is a limited resource, and we may not be able to provide support for every application.

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