If you are searching for aquamation Illinois, water cremation Illinois, or alkaline hydrolysis Illinois, you are probably trying to make a careful decision in an emotionally difficult moment. Aquamation is often described as flameless cremation Illinois—a lower-flame alternative to traditional cremation that uses water, alkali, heat, and time instead of open flame.
Families still receive cremated remains afterward, which is why aquamation questions quickly blend into practical “next step” questions: choosing cremation urns for ashes, deciding whether keeping ashes at home feels right, or planning a memorial that fits your family’s needs. This guide explains what’s legal in Illinois in 2026, how to find providers, typical price ranges, and what to consider after the remains are returned.
Why aquamation is coming up more often
Cremation is now a mainstream disposition choice in the U.S. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the projected national cremation rate for 2025 is 63.4%, with continued growth projected over the coming decades. The Cremation Association of North America also reports cremation rates and projections that show how common cremation has become in day-to-day funeral decisions.
What aquamation is and what you receive afterward
Aquamation is the consumer term for alkaline hydrolysis. The Cremation Association of North America explains it as a process using water and alkaline chemicals, with heat (and sometimes pressure or agitation), that reduces the body to bone fragments that are then processed and returned to the family as cremated remains.
One practical detail matters for planning an urn: CANA notes alkaline hydrolysis typically results in about 32% more cremated remains than flame cremation. That is why some families choose one primary urn plus smaller keepsakes, rather than trying to make a single “perfect” decision immediately.
Is aquamation legal in Illinois in 2026?
Yes. If you are searching is aquamation legal in Illinois or aquamation laws Illinois, Illinois law is unusually direct: the Crematory Regulation Act defines “cremation” as a technical process using heat and flame or alkaline hydrolysis. You can read the definition in the Illinois General Assembly’s compiled statutes at 410 ILCS 18/5.
Availability can still be limited even when something is legal. CANA notes that legalization does not automatically mean alkaline hydrolysis is widely offered, because the equipment is specialized and there are fewer practitioners than with flame cremation.
To check whether a provider is properly licensed in Illinois, the Illinois Comptroller’s PLACE licensing search lets the public check licensing standing for funeral homes and crematories.
Finding aquamation providers in Illinois
When families search aquamation providers Illinois or water cremation providers Illinois, the results can be confusing because some funeral homes arrange alkaline hydrolysis through a dedicated facility. A simple clarifying question is: “Do you perform alkaline hydrolysis in-house, or do you coordinate it with a separate facility?”
Examples of Illinois-area providers that publicly describe aquamation or water cremation on their websites include:
- Caring Cremations (Chicago area).
- Hoffen Funeral Home (southern Illinois).
- UC Davis-Callahan Funeral Home (Morris area, Grundy County).
- Cremation By Water (Chicagoland).
- Giancola Funeral & Cremation (Chicago suburbs).
If there is not a facility close to you, ask a local funeral home whether they can coordinate transfer to an Illinois facility that offers alkaline hydrolysis. In many cases, this is the least stressful way to manage transport and paperwork.
Typical aquamation cost in Illinois
Families often search aquamation cost Illinois or alkaline hydrolysis cost Illinois because budgeting cannot wait. Pricing varies by county, provider, and the level of service, but some Illinois providers publicly list direct alkaline hydrolysis packages just under $2,000. For example, Caring Cremations lists a $1,897 water cremation package, and Hoffen Funeral Home lists direct alkaline hydrolysis at $1,895 (noting possible additional fees like permits and certified death certificates).
For a broader view of how aquamation pricing compares with flame cremation—and what factors tend to raise or lower a quote—see Funeral.com’s guide Aquamation vs. Flame Cremation Cost.
When comparing quotes, focus on what is included. If you are trying to answer the broad question how much does cremation cost in real life, Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost in the U.S.? helps you compare apples to apples. And the Federal Trade Commission explains your right to request an itemized General Price List under the Funeral Rule, which is often the simplest way to clarify what you are paying for.
After aquamation: urns, keepsakes, jewelry, and keeping ashes at home
After aquamation, the most common question is not technical—it is personal: what to do with ashes. Some families want a single, permanent memorial. Others want a “holding pattern” that gives everyone time. Either approach is valid.
If you want to browse options without pressure, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection includes full-size options for a primary memorial. If your plan includes sharing, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can support a main-urn-plus-keepsakes approach—especially helpful given CANA’s note that aquamation can yield more remains.
If you want a calm walkthrough of materials, styles, placement, and sizing, Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn can help you narrow options without feeling rushed.
For a wearable keepsake, cremation jewelry can hold a tiny portion in a discreet way. Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 explains how pieces are filled and sealed, and the cremation necklaces and cremation jewelry collections can help you browse styles.
If you plan on keeping ashes at home, practical guidance can reduce anxiety. Funeral.com’s Keeping Ashes at Home guide covers storage and handling. And if your loved one asked for a water-based farewell, Funeral.com’s water burial guide explains how water burial differs from scattering at sea in real-world terms.
Pet aquamation and pet urns for ashes
Pet loss brings real grief, and it often comes with fast decisions. CANA notes that pet crematories have adopted alkaline hydrolysis more widely than the human funeral industry. If you are choosing pet urns or searching for pet urns for ashes, Funeral.com’s Pet Urns 101 provides a calm starting point. When you are ready to browse, you can view pet cremation urns, pet figurine cremation urns, and pet keepsake cremation urns.
Questions to ask before you choose
A few grounded questions can prevent most surprises and support better funeral planning decisions.
- Do you offer alkaline hydrolysis, and where does the process take place?
- What is included in the price, and what fees are separate (permits, death certificates, third-party charges)?
- When should we expect the remains to be returned?
- Because aquamation can yield more remains, what urn capacity do you recommend for our plan?
Frequently asked questions about aquamation in Illinois
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Is aquamation legal in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois’ Crematory Regulation Act defines cremation as a process using heat and flame or alkaline hydrolysis. See the Illinois General Assembly’s definition at 410 ILCS 18/5.
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How much does aquamation cost in Illinois?
It varies by provider and services. Some Illinois providers list direct alkaline hydrolysis packages just under $2,000, with possible added fees for permits and death certificates. Ask for the General Price List to compare quotes.
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Do aquamation remains require a larger urn?
Often, yes. CANA notes alkaline hydrolysis can produce about 32% more cremated remains than flame cremation, which may require a larger-capacity urn or a main urn plus keepsake urns.
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Can you keep ashes at home after aquamation?
In most situations, families can keep cremated remains at home, including after aquamation. Practical storage and handling guidance can help you feel more confident if you choose this option.
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How do I verify an Illinois provider is licensed?
Use the Illinois Comptroller’s PLACE licensing search to check licensing standing for funeral homes and crematories, and ask the funeral home to confirm where the alkaline hydrolysis will take place.
