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

When a death happens, families in Montana often have to make decisions quickly—sometimes while managing long distances, winter roads, and relatives traveling in from out of state. If you’re searching for aquamation Montana in 2026, you’re likely trying to answer a simple question with real weight: is this a gentler option, and is it actually available here?

Aquamation—also called water cremation Montana or alkaline hydrolysis Montana—is one of several newer disposition methods families hear about as cremation becomes the norm. Some people arrive here searching for green cremation Montana or eco friendly cremation Montana, hoping to find an option that feels more aligned with their environmental values. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected at 63.4% in 2025, and the Cremation Association of North America reports that U.S. cremation has been above 60% in recent years. As cremation grows, modern funeral planning often includes questions about cost, environmental values, and what happens after the remains come home.

This guide explains what aquamation is, the current legal framework in Montana as of 2026, how “providers” and out-of-state coordination usually work, and what costs tend to include. We’ll also cover the decisions that follow any cremation choice—what to do with ashes, choosing cremation urns, and whether keeping ashes at home or water burial feels right for your family.

What aquamation is and what you receive

Aquamation is the everyday name for alkaline hydrolysis. Instead of using open flame, it uses water, heat, and an alkaline solution to reduce the body to its mineral components. Families receive bone-derived remains that are processed into a form similar to traditional cremated remains—so in everyday language, it still “comes back as ashes.”

This matters because aquamation does not eliminate the next set of decisions. Families still choose whether the remains will be kept together, divided, buried, placed in a niche, or scattered. If you want a calm overview of how urn choices connect to real-life plans, Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn walks through sizing, materials, and destination choices without pressure.

Legal status in Montana in 2026

Families ask is aquamation legal in Montana because state statutes define disposition methods in specific ways, and those definitions determine what funeral homes can offer in-state. In Montana’s morticians and funeral services statute, “cremation” is defined as “the technical process, using heat, that reduces human remains to bone fragments.” You can see that definition in the Board of Funeral Service’s published Montana Code Annotated document (Montana Code Annotated).

In 2025, the Montana Legislature adopted House Joint Resolution 27 (HJ 27), which directly acknowledges that existing Montana statute does not include provisions for other methods of final disposition, including “natural organic reduction or alkaline hydrolysis,” and it requests an interim study to build a framework for adding new methods to statute (Montana Legislature, HJ 27 (2025)).

Put plainly: aquamation laws Montana and alkaline hydrolysis laws Montana are in a transitional moment. As of 2026, Montana has acknowledged alkaline hydrolysis is not provided for in the existing statutory framework. Because rules can change, and because funeral homes must follow licensing and facility requirements, the most reliable next step is to ask a licensed Montana funeral home what is currently authorized and what can be coordinated through partnerships. This article is a planning guide, not legal advice.

Providers and nearby alternatives when options are limited

Search terms like aquamation providers Montana or water cremation providers Montana make it sound like you just need a directory. In practice, aquamation availability is often limited even in states where it is authorized, because the equipment is specialized and expensive. In rural states, it’s also common for flame cremation to involve transportation to a regional crematory—so the “where does this happen?” question is important either way.

If a Montana funeral home tells you aquamation is possible, ask one clarifying question: “Where does the alkaline hydrolysis actually take place?” In many cases, “possible” can mean coordination with an out-of-state facility where alkaline hydrolysis is permitted, followed by the return of the remains to Montana. If that’s the path, ask about chain of custody, timeline, documentation, and the all-in price that includes transfer miles and required permits.

Costs and what families should expect to be included

Cost questions are not shallow; they’re a form of protection. Families want to understand how much does cremation cost and whether aquamation changes the budget. The key is to compare the same service level. A “direct” option typically includes basic services, required paperwork, transportation into care, and the disposition itself—without viewing, embalming, or a formal ceremony at the funeral home. A full-service funeral with ceremony will usually cost more regardless of disposition method.

For national context, the NFDA lists a 2023 national median of $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation (not direct cremation) on its statistics page. For aquamation, costs vary by access and provider model. After.com’s comparison guide describes typical water cremation price ranges and emphasizes that availability and specialized equipment can affect price (After.com). If you want a Montana-friendly way to compare quotes, Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost? explains what is usually included, what is optional, and which questions surface the true out-the-door total.

After aquamation: urns, keepsakes, jewelry, and home decisions

Once the remains are returned, the decisions become quieter and more personal. Full-size cremation urns for ashes are designed to hold everything in one place. keepsake urns are meant for a symbolic portion so multiple people can share, while small cremation urns can work well for compact home spaces or partial sharing.

If you want a wearable tribute, cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—can hold a tiny amount. Funeral.com’s guide Cremation Jewelry 101 explains how these pieces are typically filled and what they’re designed to hold.

Many families keep ashes at home for a time, especially when travel or family timing makes a final decision hard. If you are considering keeping ashes at home, start with Keeping Ashes at Home: A Practical Safety Guide. If you are drawn to a water-based ceremony, Water Burial Planning explains how water burial works and what to consider. And if you are simply not ready to decide what to do with ashes, What If You’re Not Ready to Decide What to Do With Ashes? is a gentle framework for taking a respectful pause.

Pet loss can bring the same questions in a smaller scale. If you’re choosing pet urns, Funeral.com’s Pet Urns for Ashes guide covers sizing and memorial styles. When you’re ready to browse, the pet cremation urns collection includes a range of pet urns for ashes. If you want a memorial that resembles your dog or cat, pet figurine cremation urns can be a gentle fit. And if sharing is part of your family’s story, pet keepsake cremation urns are designed for a symbolic portion.

Frequently asked questions