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

There is a moment many Nevada families recognize: the calls have been made, the paperwork is starting, and suddenly you are staring at a new word on a funeral home website—aquamation Nevada. It may be described as water cremation Nevada or alkaline hydrolysis Nevada. Behind the terminology is a simple question that matters when grief is already heavy: is this option legal here, and can we actually choose it?

This guide is meant to steady the decision. We’ll cover Nevada’s current legal status, how to confirm aquamation providers Nevada, what published price lists suggest about aquamation cost Nevada, and what comes next after any cremation choice: selecting cremation urns, considering cremation jewelry, and deciding what keeping ashes at home might look like for your family.

What aquamation means in plain language

Aquamation is the everyday name for alkaline hydrolysis, a disposition method that uses a water-based solution and alkalinity (with controlled heat) to break down soft tissue. The National Funeral Directors Association describes alkaline hydrolysis as an alternative disposition method that leaves bone material, which is then processed and returned to the family as cremated remains.

The practical point is this: aquamation still results in remains your family will receive and care for. That means the same “after” decisions apply—what to do with ashes, whether to divide them, and what kind of container feels right. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) notes that alkaline hydrolysis may produce more cremated remains than flame cremation, so it is reasonable to confirm urn sizing before you purchase one.

Is aquamation legal in Nevada in 2026?

If you are searching is aquamation legal in Nevada, the answer is yes. Nevada’s 2017 Assembly Bill 205 defined “alkaline hydrolysis” and included it within the state’s definition of cremation. The same law also requires notice to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the local sewer system operator before alkaline hydrolysis equipment is purchased. Nevada Assembly Bill 205 (2017)

Nevada has continued to refine definitions as newer methods become more visible. Approved regulations in 2023 updated the definition of “cremation” in Nevada’s administrative code to include incineration, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction. Nevada Register R142-23AP

How to find aquamation providers in Nevada

Legal status answers “may we,” but families also need “can we.” CANA puts it plainly: legalization does not automatically mean a service is widely available, because equipment, permitting, and business capacity affect whether providers offer it. CANA

The most grounded starting point is licensure. The Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board publishes a list of active crematories. On the list dated October 30, 2024, facilities include “Aquamation of Southern Nevada” and “Green Farewells, LLC” in Las Vegas. Use this list as a starting point, then confirm the most current information with the Board and the provider. Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board

Before you compare prices, ask one clarifying question: “Is alkaline hydrolysis performed on-site, or are you coordinating with a partner crematory?” A partner facility is not automatically a concern, but it can affect the timeline, transportation fees, and who is responsible for returning the remains.

When you are making arrangements quickly, these questions can prevent the most common surprises:

• Are we authorizing flame cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, and how will that appear on the paperwork?
• Where will the aquamation take place, and who holds the crematory license for that location?
• What is the out-the-door total, including transfer, permits, and third-party items like certified death certificates?
• How and when will the remains be returned, and what container is included?

Aquamation cost in Nevada: what “typical” really means

Families often search how much does cremation cost hoping for one clean number. In real life, disposition pricing behaves more like a range because “direct” services and “with ceremony” services are fundamentally different purchases. This is true for flame cremation and for aquamation.

It also explains why these questions show up in so many households. According to CANA, the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024. Cremation Association of North America (Industry Statistics) NFDA’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report trade release projects a U.S. cremation rate of 63.4% in 2025 (versus a 31.6% burial rate), and projects cremation at 82.3% by 2045. National Funeral Directors Association

For Nevada-specific reality checks, published General Price Lists can be useful. Green Farewells’ GPL (effective February 3, 2025) lists direct aquamation at $1,099 (up to 250 lbs.). Green Farewells GPL Kraft-Sussman Funeral Services’ GPL (effective July 10, 2025) lists “Direct Cremation via Alkaline Hydrolysis” at $3,005. Kraft-Sussman General Price List

The most reliable budgeting step is to request the itemized General Price List and a written estimate that separates funeral home charges from third-party cash advances. The Federal Trade Commission explains that funeral providers must offer a General Price List in person when you begin discussing goods, services, or prices. If you want a practical comparison framework between water-based and flame-based options, Funeral.com’s guide Aquamation vs. Flame Cremation Cost walks through what typically changes the total.

Urns, keepsakes, and the reality of living with ashes

After aquamation, you can bring the remains home in a temporary container and choose an urn later. But if you already know you want a stable home memorial, browsing cremation urns for ashes can help you see options without pressure. If you want help deciding based on placement (home display, burial, travel), Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn walks through materials and sizing in plain language.

If your family expects to share, keepsake urns and small cremation urns let people hold remembrance without repeated re-opening of the main urn. This approach can be especially helpful in blended families or when siblings live in different states.

For families considering keeping ashes at home, the question is usually not “is it allowed,” but “how do we do this respectfully and safely?” Placement, stability, and household dynamics matter. Funeral.com’s Keeping Ashes at Home guide covers practical setups, including child- and pet-proof considerations. And if your plan includes scattering on a lake or at sea, you may be thinking about a water burial ceremony—this overview explains what typically happens and what to ask in advance: Understanding What Happens During a Water Burial Ceremony.

Cremation jewelry and pet memorial options

Cremation jewelry holds a small portion of remains in a pendant, charm, or bracelet, giving a spouse or child something they can carry privately. You can explore cremation necklaces, and this overview answers the questions families usually have first: Cremation Jewelry 101.

For pet families, these same decisions are meaningful. Many people look for pet cremation urns or pet urns for ashes that feel personal, and some prefer sculptural options like pet urns that reflect the pet’s spirit.

A steadier way to decide: funeral planning in one page

The calmest version of this process usually comes from specificity. Write down the disposition method (“alkaline hydrolysis” if that is what you want), name who has authority, and note your plan for the remains (home, scattering, burial, keepsakes). That single page of funeral planning can reduce conflict later and turn a stressful phone call into a clear request. If you are building that plan, Funeral.com’s How to Plan a Funeral in 2026 can help you think through the sequence without feeling overwhelmed.

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