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

When a death happens, families are often asked to make decisions quickly—decisions that sound technical but land in the middle of grief. In New Hampshire, one of the most common questions we hear in 2026 is simple and urgent: “Is aquamation legal here?” People also search it in every possible phrasing—aquamation New Hampshire, water cremation New Hampshire, alkaline hydrolysis New Hampshire, and even “is aquamation legal in New Hampshire”—because they want an option that feels gentler than flame and more aligned with environmental values.

That interest is not happening in a vacuum. Cremation is now the majority choice in the U.S., and the long-term trend continues upward. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected to be 63.4% in 2025, with cremation projected to reach 82.3% by 2045. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024, with continued growth projected over the next several years. These numbers matter because they help explain why families are also thinking more carefully about what happens after cremation—choosing cremation urns for ashes, deciding about keeping ashes at home, and exploring new memorial options like cremation jewelry.

This guide is written for real families. We’ll walk through the current legal status in New Hampshire, what it means for availability, how to find nearby alternatives if you still want aquamation, typical costs (and why they vary), and what to plan for afterward—because the practical steps after aquamation look very similar to traditional cremation, including decisions about urns, keepsakes, and ceremonies.

What aquamation is and why it feels different

Aquamation—also called alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, or sometimes flameless cremation—is a method of disposition that uses water, alkalinity, and controlled heat to gently break down soft tissue. It is not “dissolving a body in the ocean,” and it is not the same thing as scattering. It’s a regulated, contained process that happens in a licensed facility, and families receive cremated remains afterward, much like they would after flame cremation.

In plain language, aquamation is often chosen for one of three reasons. First, some families simply cannot picture fire and want a calmer mental image. Second, many are looking for green cremation New Hampshire or eco friendly cremation New Hampshire options because environmental impact matters to them. Third, families want flexibility: the ability to hold a memorial on their own timeline, without the constraints of cemetery schedules or traditional burial costs.

Providers sometimes describe aquamation as a “gentle” alternative, and you will see specific process descriptions on funeral home sites that offer it. For example, Walker Cremations, Funerals and Gatherings in Maine describes aquamation as a water-based cremation approach using 95% water and 5% alkaline. You can see their overview on their Cremation Alternatives page.

Is aquamation legal in New Hampshire in 2026?

As of 2026, aquamation is not legal for human disposition in New Hampshire. New Hampshire law explicitly prohibits “the disposal of human remains through a reductive process utilizing alkaline hydrolysis,” under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 325-A:30. You can read the statute text via Justia, and consumer-facing summaries of state legality also note New Hampshire’s explicit prohibition (for example, Nolo).

That legal reality can feel frustrating, especially when a family is trying to make a values-based choice. But it also clarifies your options: if you are searching for aquamation providers New Hampshire or water cremation providers New Hampshire, you are unlikely to find an in-state facility offering human aquamation because it is prohibited. What you can do, however, is look at nearby states where aquamation is offered and ask a New Hampshire funeral home whether they can coordinate an out-of-state transfer and service.

If you want additional context on why this has been debated historically, New Hampshire Public Radio covered legislative consideration of “liquid cremation” (alkaline hydrolysis) in the past, including a 2013 vote where the Senate rejected a bill that would have enabled the process. See New Hampshire Public Radio for that background.

So what can New Hampshire families do if they still want water cremation?

When aquamation is important to a family’s decision, the most common path is to arrange the service through a licensed funeral home or cremation provider in a nearby state where aquamation is permitted and available. Practically, that means two moving parts: (1) who is handling care and paperwork where the death occurs (often a local funeral home in New Hampshire), and (2) which out-of-state facility will perform the aquamation.

A helpful way to think about this is that you are still doing funeral planning, but your plan includes interstate coordination. The “right” provider is the one that can clearly explain the chain of custody, transportation plan, authorizations required, timing, and the total cost—without making you feel rushed or overwhelmed.

Two examples of nearby providers that publicly discuss water cremation services and can be relevant to New Hampshire families (depending on location and logistics) include:

• Direct Cremation of Maine (Belfast, Maine), which describes a “Natural Green Cremation” package as a flameless cremation that uses water instead of fire and lists a package price on its site.
• Walker Cremations, Funerals and Gatherings (Southern Maine), which publishes an aquamation overview as part of its cremation alternatives information.

Those links are not endorsements; they are simply examples of the kind of transparency you want when you’re sorting through options. Even if you do not use either, their public descriptions can help you form better questions when you speak with a funeral director closer to home.

Aquamation cost in New Hampshire: what families usually mean, and what actually drives price

When people search aquamation cost New Hampshire or alkaline hydrolysis cost New Hampshire, they’re usually trying to avoid surprises. Because aquamation for human disposition is not legal in-state, the cost question is really: “What will I pay if I live in New Hampshire, but the service happens out of state?”

Start with the clearest anchor you can find: a published package price. For example, Direct Cremation of Maine lists its “Natural Green Cremation” package at $2,990 and describes it as a flameless cremation using water instead of fire, along with other claimed environmental attributes. See the pricing and package description on their website.

From there, costs typically vary based on logistics and ceremony choices. The most common cost drivers include where the death occurs, distance to the aquamation facility, whether you want a viewing or ceremony before transfer, and which professional fees are being charged by the New Hampshire funeral home (if one is coordinating care) versus the out-of-state provider performing the disposition.

It can also be helpful to understand the broader cost landscape families are navigating when they compare options. The National Funeral Directors Association publishes median cost figures and notes that the national median cost of a funeral with cremation (including a viewing and service) was $6,280 in 2023, compared with $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial. These figures are not aquamation-specific, but they help you sanity-check what is “in range” when your quote includes ceremony and staff time, not only the disposition itself.

If you are comparing options and keep circling back to the same question—how much does cremation cost—Funeral.com’s guide can help you understand what typically is (and is not) included in different types of cremation arrangements: How Much Does Cremation Cost? Average Prices and Budget-Friendly Options.

What to ask a funeral home before you choose an out-of-state aquamation plan

When families feel uncertain, it’s rarely because they need more “options.” It’s because they need clarity. A good funeral director will not mind detailed questions—especially when a plan crosses state lines.

• Is aquamation legally allowed where the disposition will be performed, and which licensed facility will do it?
• Who is the funeral establishment of record for permits, authorizations, and custody—your local New Hampshire funeral home, or the out-of-state provider?
• What transportation is included (removal, sheltering/refrigeration, transfer out of state, return of cremated remains), and what is billed separately?
• What is the expected timeline from death to return of remains, and what can change that timeline?
• What do we receive back afterward, and what container will the remains be returned in?
• Can we still have a memorial service in New Hampshire, and if so, what are our options for timing and location?
• Can you provide an itemized quote in writing, including third-party cash advances (permits, death certificates, newspaper notices, clergy or celebrant fees)?

Those questions are not “difficult.” They are stabilizing. They turn a foggy situation into a plan you can live with.

After aquamation: what you receive back and what to do with ashes

Even though the process is different, the family-facing “after” is familiar. You receive cremated remains (often still called “ashes” in everyday speech), and then you decide what to do next. This is the part families often postpone because it feels emotionally heavy—but it can also be the part that brings real comfort and a sense of direction.

If you are starting from zero, it helps to separate two decisions: the memorial container you want now, and the long-term plan (home, burial, scattering, shared keepsakes, or a combination). Funeral.com’s guide Choosing the Best Cremation Urn walks through practical considerations—capacity, material, personalization—without assuming you already know what you want.

Choosing cremation urns, small urns, and keepsakes

Most families begin by looking at cremation urns in the same way they might choose a headstone: they want something stable, dignified, and true to the person. If you want to browse by style and material, Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns for ashes is designed to make comparison easier without turning the decision into a hard sell.

If your plan includes sharing remains among family members—or you know that some ashes will be scattered later—smaller options can be a better fit. Small cremation urns are often used when you want a meaningful container that takes up less space but still holds a substantial portion. For families who want multiple pieces for siblings, children, or close friends, keepsake urns can be a gentle way to avoid conflict and honor different grieving styles.

Cremation jewelry and keeping a loved one close

Some families want an urn at home and also want a way to carry a small portion of remains privately. That’s where cremation jewelry can feel less like a product and more like a personal ritual. If you’re exploring wearable memorials, Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry Guide explains types, metals, engraving, and how to fill pieces safely. For families specifically considering cremation necklaces, you may also find the practical walk-through helpful: Cremation Necklaces and Pendants for Ashes: How They Work + What to Ask Before Buying.

If browsing is helpful, a simple starting point is Funeral.com’s cremation charms and pendants collection, which focuses on pieces designed to hold a small portion of remains.

Keeping ashes at home, scattering, and water burial

Many families choose keeping ashes at home, at least for a season, because it gives time to decide what “final” should mean. If you are considering home placement, Funeral.com’s guide How to Display an Urn at Home offers practical ideas for safety, respect, and day-to-day peace of mind.

Other families know they want a scattering ceremony—especially in a place that mattered. If you’re in New Hampshire and your loved one felt most like themselves near the mountains, lakes, or the coast, Funeral.com’s state-specific guide can help you think through permissions and practical etiquette: Where Can You Scatter Ashes in New Hampshire (2026)?

For ocean scattering and true water burial (often called burial at sea), the rules are different. Consumer guides commonly point out that federal requirements apply, including distance-from-shore rules under the Clean Water Act for burial at sea. See the overview in Nolo’s New Hampshire burial and cremation laws for a plain-language discussion of this topic.

Don’t forget pets: why pet urn decisions often echo the same questions

Many families first hear the term “aquamation” through pet loss. The emotional logic is similar: a desire for gentleness, and a desire to feel confident you made a loving choice. If you’re navigating pet loss alongside human loss—or you simply want to understand the terminology—you may find Funeral.com’s recent guide helpful: Pet Aquamation vs. Cremation: Is Water Cremation Gentler Than Fire?

After pet cremation, families often ask the same practical question—what will hold the ashes, and where will they live in the home? Funeral.com offers dedicated collections for pet urns, including pet urns for ashes, artistic memorials like pet figurine cremation urns, and shareable pet keepsake cremation urns. Families who prefer more traditional terminology will also recognize these as pet cremation urns—containers designed to protect remains and honor a bond that was real.

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