Aquamation (Water Cremation) in Connecticut (2026): Legal Status, Providers & Costs

When a death happens—or when you are planning ahead—the choices can feel heavy, fast, and unfamiliar. Many families in the state now find themselves comparing not just burial versus cremation, but different kinds of cremation, including aquamation Connecticut. The questions are practical, but they are also deeply personal: What would they have wanted? What can we afford? What will feel peaceful to live with later?

Cremation is already the majority choice in the U.S., and it continues to grow. The Cremation Association of North America reports a 61.8% U.S. cremation rate in 2024 and projects 67.9% by 2029. The National Funeral Directors Association projects a 2025 cremation rate of 63.4% and also reports that 61.4% of consumers would be interested in exploring “green” funeral options. Those numbers help explain why more Connecticut families are asking about alternatives like aquamation.

What aquamation is, and what the family receives

Aquamation (often searched as water cremation Connecticut or alkaline hydrolysis Connecticut) is a form of cremation that uses water and alkaline chemistry rather than open flame. It is sometimes marketed as flameless cremation Connecticut, bio cremation Connecticut, green cremation Connecticut, or eco friendly cremation Connecticut. The Cremation Association of North America explains that alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals, and heat (sometimes with pressure or agitation) to accelerate decomposition, leaving bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The bone fragments are dried and processed into cremated remains that are returned to the family.

Urn sizing after water cremation

One practical detail matters for funeral planning: CANA notes alkaline hydrolysis can produce about 32% more cremated remains than flame cremation, which may require a larger urn. That is why many families plan for one full-capacity urn and then choose secondary keepsakes for sharing.

Is aquamation legal in Connecticut in 2026?

Yes. Connecticut regulates alkaline hydrolysis within its cremation rules, including permits and facility requirements. Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-323 states that alkaline hydrolysis may not be performed without the required permit for final disposition. The same statute includes a general 48-hour waiting period before cremation and explains the cremation certificate process and related fees.

Connecticut also sets a location requirement for alkaline hydrolysis. Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-320 states that a crematory that performs alkaline hydrolysis must be located on the grounds of a funeral home licensed under chapter 385, and it describes Department of Public Health inspection and certification requirements for crematories.

A key reality is that “legal” does not always mean “available nearby.” CANA notes that legalization does not guarantee an operating provider in every area and that families may need to search broadly or coordinate with a local funeral home for transfer and return of the cremated remains.

How to find aquamation providers in Connecticut and verify licensing

If you are searching “aquamation providers Connecticut” or “water cremation providers Connecticut,” focus on verification, not marketing. Start by confirming the funeral home’s licensing through Connecticut’s eLicense lookup portal. For additional regulatory context, Connecticut publishes information through the Connecticut Board of Examiners of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

Then ask the “where” question clearly: where will the alkaline hydrolysis actually occur, and who operates the equipment? Even if one funeral home is arranging everything, the process may occur at a partner facility. CANA specifically notes that local funeral homes can coordinate transport to an alkaline hydrolysis facility and return of the ashes, but charges can vary depending on distance and arrangements.

Aquamation cost in Connecticut

Cost comparisons usually start with a broad phrase—how much does cremation cost?—and then narrow to aquamation. If you are pricing aquamation cost Connecticut or alkaline hydrolysis cost Connecticut, the most useful approach is to separate the method (water cremation versus flame cremation) from the service plan (direct disposition versus viewing and ceremony).

Published Connecticut examples suggest direct aquamation is often priced in the low-to-mid $3,000s, depending on what is included. CT Insider cited a range of $2,995 to $3,995 at one Connecticut funeral home based on arrangement details. In Fairfield County, Trinity Cremation Services lists an aquamation package total of $3,495 with itemized inclusions.

For planning context, the National Funeral Directors Association reports the national median cost of a funeral with cremation was $6,280 in 2023—an important reminder that services selected often drive the total more than the method alone. If you want a Connecticut-specific breakdown, Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost in Connecticut in 2026 walks through the line items that typically change quotes and the questions that make pricing comparable.

Urns, keepsakes, jewelry, and pets

After aquamation, families still face the same question they would after flame cremation: where do the ashes live now? Some families want a permanent, full-capacity urn; others want to share, travel, or keep a small portion close.

For a primary vessel, explore Funeral.com’s collections of cremation urns for ashes. If you plan to share, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can help you create a family plan without pressure. If you are unsure about sizing or materials, Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn is a clear, practical place to start.

Some families want something wearable. cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—is designed to hold a small, symbolic portion, usually alongside a primary urn. For a straightforward overview before you choose a piece, read Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 guide.

And for many households, these decisions also apply after a pet loss. Funeral.com offers collections for pet urns, including pet urns for ashes and pet cremation urns, as well as pet figurine cremation urns and pet keepsake cremation urns.

All of these choices sit under a larger question that is not only practical, but emotional: what to do with ashes. It is okay if your answer is “not yet.”

Keeping ashes at home and water burial

If you are considering keeping ashes at home, it may help to know how common that is. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, among people who prefer cremation, 37.1% would prefer their remains kept in an urn at home and 10.5% would prefer their remains split among relatives. Funeral.com’s keeping ashes at home guide covers practical steps for safe placement and household considerations.

For families drawn to the ocean or waterways, water burial may be part of the plan. Funeral.com’s guides on water burial vs. scattering at sea and water burial and burial at sea explain the practical differences and the planning considerations families often miss when they are trying to make decisions quickly.

Questions to ask before you choose aquamation

If you are evaluating a funeral home aquamation Connecticut option, these questions can help you compare providers without getting lost in jargon:

• Where will the alkaline hydrolysis occur, and how will identification be tracked end-to-end?
• What Connecticut permits are required, and who files them?
• What is the timeline to return the ashes, and what could delay it?
• What is included in the price, and what is optional (transport, ceremonies, obituary, urn)?
• How will the cremated remains be returned, and can urn capacity be confirmed in advance?