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

When a family in Delaware starts researching aquamation, it usually isn’t because they are chasing a trend. It’s because they’re trying to make a hard decision with care. Maybe a loved one wanted something more natural. Maybe fire feels emotionally difficult. Or maybe you are simply looking for the most values-aligned option you can reasonably arrange.

This guide explains what aquamation is, what Delaware families can realistically expect in 2026, and how to plan for the practical “after” decisions—like choosing cremation urns for ashes, deciding on keeping ashes at home, or sharing remains through keepsake urns and cremation jewelry.

Why aquamation is showing up in more end-of-life conversations

Aquamation is part of a bigger shift: cremation is now the mainstream choice in the U.S., and families want more choices within cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025. As that number rises, so do questions about “green” options—sometimes searched as green cremation Delaware or eco friendly cremation Delaware.

What aquamation is, and what you receive afterward

Aquamation is the common term for alkaline hydrolysis—often also called water cremation Delaware, bio cremation Delaware, or flameless cremation Delaware. The process uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and time to accelerate natural decomposition. The Cremation Association of North America explains that the process leaves bone fragments plus a sterile, neutral liquid (often called effluent). The bone fragments are dried and processed into a powder that families can receive, similar in use to cremated remains after flame cremation.

The National Funeral Directors Association notes that alkaline hydrolysis is an alternative to burial or traditional cremation. For families, the most important takeaway is practical: choosing aquamation does not remove the need for a memorial plan. You will still be deciding what the remains will be placed in, whether they will be kept, buried, scattered, or shared, and how you want loved ones to participate in remembrance.

The legal status of aquamation in Delaware in 2026

If you are asking is aquamation legal in Delaware or searching alkaline hydrolysis Delaware, start with Delaware’s definition of cremation. As of 2026, Delaware law defines “cremation” as “the process of burning human remains to ashes.” (See the Delaware Code.) Delaware’s cremation provisions also reflect flame-based logistics, including the requirement for a rigid container made of “readily combustible material.” (See Delaware’s cremation provisions.)

Because Delaware’s current statutory framework is written around burning, it does not clearly authorize alkaline hydrolysis for human remains in the way states with explicit water cremation laws typically do. For a state-by-state snapshot of where alkaline hydrolysis is permitted, many families reference Earth Funeral’s alkaline hydrolysis legality tracker. If Delaware law changes, availability can change quickly—but for planning purposes in 2026, it is wise to assume you may need an out-of-state facility.

How Delaware families handle provider options when in-state availability is limited

When you search for aquamation providers Delaware, water cremation providers Delaware, or funeral home aquamation Delaware, you may find that the workable path involves an out-of-state facility. Families typically choose one of two approaches: work with a Delaware funeral home that can coordinate transportation and paperwork, or contact a nearby provider directly and ask how they handle a Delaware decedent.

If you’re vetting options, these questions tend to reduce stress later because they clarify who is responsible for each step:

• Where will the alkaline hydrolysis take place, and is the facility licensed in that state?
• Who handles transportation, permits, and the return of the remains?
• How is identification maintained throughout transfer and processing?
• What is included in the quoted price, line by line?

Neighboring states may be part of this conversation, especially for families near the Maryland line. For example, OnSite Cremation in Baltimore describes water cremation services as part of its offerings. Consider any provider listing a starting point for a conversation rather than a guarantee, since availability and case acceptance can change.

Aquamation cost in Delaware: what the total usually includes

Families often search “aquamation cost Delaware” or “alkaline hydrolysis cost Delaware” because they want a number they can plan around. Pricing varies by provider and by how much coordination is required. When an out-of-state facility is involved, the total is typically the provider’s fee plus transportation and paperwork. For a nearby example, OnSite Cremation in Baltimore lists “AquaCare Cremation (Water Cremation)” starting at $4,500.

Because water cremation pricing can be packaged in different ways, itemization matters more than the headline number. The Federal Trade Commission explains in its Funeral Rule guidance that consumers must be given accurate, itemized price information. Ask for the General Price List, then compare quotes in categories: professional services, transfer/transport, facility fee, alternative container, death certificates, and the urn or keepsakes you choose.

If you’re also trying to benchmark against traditional options, Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost can help you compare “direct” vs. “with services” pricing in a calmer, apples-to-apples way.

After aquamation, you still need to decide what to do with ashes

Even when the disposition method feels settled, families are often surprised by how tender the next decision can be: what to do with ashes. Many people benefit from a simple “home base” plan—where the remains will rest for the first few months—before making permanent choices.

That is where choosing the right container becomes less about shopping and more about care. If you want one primary vessel, start with Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns and think first about destination: a shelf at home, a columbarium niche, burial, or eventual scattering. If you’d rather choose with a checklist, see Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn. When space is limited or the plan involves sharing, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can make sharing feel orderly and respectful.

For a wearable option, cremation jewelry holds a tiny amount of remains and can be especially comforting during travel, anniversaries, or the weeks before a memorial. If you are specifically looking for cremation necklaces, the cremation necklaces collection and Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 guide can help you choose a style and understand practical filling tips.

Many families also ask about keeping ashes at home. In most cases, the important issues are practical: safe placement, humidity, children and pets, and how to make the memorial feel peaceful rather than heavy. Funeral.com’s keeping ashes at home guide walks through those real-life considerations. And if you are drawn to a ceremony near water—something many aquamation families feel—Funeral.com’s water burial planning guide can help you turn that intention into a clear plan.

If you want a broader overview of options—including scattering, burial, memorial art, and splitting remains—read Funeral.com’s guide on what to do with ashes.

Pet urns for ashes and pet memorial options

Sometimes this topic becomes personal through a pet loss. Pet aquamation is more widely available in many regions than human alkaline hydrolysis, and the memorial questions afterward are similar. Funeral.com’s collection of pet cremation urns includes options sized for dogs, cats, and small companions, including classic pet urns. If you’re looking for pet urns for ashes that feel especially personal, you can explore pet figurine cremation urns or shareable pet keepsake cremation urns.

If you want help with sizing and capacity, Funeral.com’s guide to pet urns for ashes walks through the practical rules families use when they do not want to guess.

Funeral planning that protects your family from uncertainty

Aquamation is a good example of why funeral planning is not just paperwork. It is a way of preventing guesswork when emotions are already high. If you prefer water cremation, consider writing down your preference, your backup plan if it is not available locally, and your wishes for the remains (home, burial, scattering, keepsakes, or jewelry). Funeral.com’s How to Preplan a Funeral guide is a practical starting point, especially if you want to protect your family from rushed decisions and unclear pricing.