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

When your family is trying to choose, it rarely feels like a “choice”

Most people don’t wake up excited to learn new vocabulary like alkaline hydrolysis or “flameless cremation.” They learn it because someone they love has died, or because they’re trying to plan ahead and want something that fits their values without making the day any harder than it already is.

In Washington, aquamation has quietly become one of those options families ask about when they want a lower-flame alternative to traditional cremation. You may hear it called aquamation, water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, bio cremation, or even dissolution. The names vary, but the question underneath is usually the same: “Is this allowed here, can I actually find a provider, and what will it cost?”

This guide answers those questions for 2026—and then goes one step further, because the decision doesn’t stop at disposition. If aquamation is the path you choose, you still deserve clear guidance on memorial choices like cremation urns, cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, cremation jewelry, and what keeping ashes at home can look like in real life.

Is aquamation legal in Washington?

Yes. Washington law recognizes alkaline hydrolysis (often called aquamation) as a legal method of final disposition, and it is regulated similarly to other reduction methods through licensing and oversight.

In the Revised Code of Washington, alkaline hydrolysis is defined as the reduction of human remains to bone fragments and essential elements in a licensed hydrolysis facility using heat, pressure, water, and base chemical agents. You can read the definition directly in RCW 68.04.290.

Washington also ties aquamation to licensure requirements and regulatory oversight. The rules that govern cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction appear under Chapter 308-47 WAC. And Washington’s Department of Licensing (DOL) provides licensing guidance for reduction facilities, including alkaline hydrolysis facilities, which you can review here: Washington State Department of Licensing.

If you like having dates anchored to the paperwork, Washington’s statutes include an effective-date note connected to the 2019 act that included alkaline hydrolysis provisions. The effective date referenced in the RCW notes is May 1, 2020, shown in the notes on RCW 68.05.175. In plain language: by 2026, aquamation is not “experimental” or “in a gray area” in Washington. It’s legal and regulated.

What aquamation means for a family, not just a facility

Families often feel relief when they learn aquamation is a legally recognized option—then immediately feel another wave of uncertainty: “What actually happens, and what comes back to us?”

Providers generally describe aquamation as a water-based reduction process that returns the body to bone remains, which are then processed into a cremated-remains consistency. In other words, the outcome for the family looks similar to cremation: you will typically receive remains that can be placed in cremation urns for ashes, divided into keepsake urns, or used in cremation jewelry like cremation necklaces.

This is why it helps to think about disposition and memorial choices together. If you already know you want keeping ashes at home for a time, or you want to share a portion of ashes among siblings, you can plan for that upfront so you’re not making rushed decisions later.

If you’re starting to think about the memorial side, Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns for ashes is a helpful place to see the range of sizes and materials. If your plan includes sharing, take a look at small cremation urns and keepsake urns, which are designed for a portion of the remains rather than the full amount.

Where to find aquamation providers in Washington

The most practical way to find aquamation is to search for “aquamation,” “alkaline hydrolysis,” or “water cremation” on a funeral home’s services page, then confirm they work with (or operate) a licensed hydrolysis facility. Washington’s regulatory framework matters here: you’re not just looking for a business that uses the word—you’re looking for a provider whose process is tied to licensed oversight.

In 2026, options can still feel limited compared to standard cremation, especially depending on where you live. Some families arrange aquamation through a funeral home in their region; others work with a provider in a nearby metro area and handle transportation through that provider’s care team.

If you want concrete starting points, these Washington-facing resources can help you begin your calls:

• The Co-op Funeral Home of People’s Memorial (Aquamation plans)
• Elemental Cremation & Burial (Aquamation pricing and FAQs)
• Altogether Funeral (Aquamation in Washington overview)

When you call, it’s okay to ask the question you actually care about, in plain language: “If we choose aquamation, who is physically performing it, and is the facility licensed?” In Washington, the laws and rules are structured to support that kind of clarity, not hide it.

Typical aquamation cost in Washington (what families see in real price lists)

Prices vary by provider, location, and what’s included (transfer distance, after-hours removal, filing of certificates and permits, witness options, viewing, and the type of container or urn you choose). But families often want a real range—not a vague “it depends.”

In Washington, published pricing can show aquamation in a range that overlaps with direct cremation, while sometimes costing a bit more depending on the provider and what’s bundled.

For example, The Co-op Funeral Home of People’s Memorial posts aquamation plan pricing, including a standard direct aquamation and an option that includes a private identification viewing. You can see their posted aquamation plan details here: Aquamation Plans.

Elemental Cremation & Burial also posts aquamation pricing, including an “Aquamation with Witness Placement” option. You can review their pricing and explanatory FAQ content here: Aquamation Pricing.

If you’re comparing quotes, ask each provider to break the total into two categories: the disposition arrangement (care, sheltering, transportation, paperwork, and the aquamation itself) and the memorial choices (service, venue, flowers, travel, and items like cremation urns and cremation jewelry). That keeps the conversation fair. It also prevents the common shock families feel when they compare one “all-in” quote to another quote that quietly excludes key fees.

If you want a broader national context for budgeting—not just aquamation—Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost walks through common pricing structures and add-ons in plain language. It’s especially useful if you’re trying to decide how much to allocate to the memorial itself versus the disposition method.

Why more families are asking about aquamation now

Part of the reason you’re hearing about aquamation more often is that cremation itself is now the majority choice in the U.S.—which changes how families think about “what happens after.” According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected at 61.9% for 2024, with projections continuing to rise over the coming decades.

Washington has also been a state where families pay attention to environmental impact—whether that’s choosing green burial, natural organic reduction, or asking for a lower-flame alternative. Aquamation often enters the conversation right at that intersection: cost, values, and emotional comfort.

The memorial questions that come after aquamation

Once aquamation is scheduled, families tend to have a quieter set of questions that don’t always get answered in the arrangement conference. They’re not legal questions. They’re life questions: “Where will the ashes go, and what will that feel like six months from now?”

Keeping ashes at home without second-guessing yourself

Keeping ashes at home is common, and for many families it’s not “forever,” it’s “for now.” Sometimes you keep the urn at home until the weather is right for a scattering. Sometimes you keep the urn until siblings can travel. Sometimes you keep the urn because you’re not ready for a final step yet.

If you want a calm, practical guide, Funeral.com’s article on keeping ashes at home covers placement, safety, sealing, visitors, children, and the emotional side of having ashes in your living space.

In terms of products, families who keep ashes at home often choose a full-size urn from the cremation urns for ashes collection, then add keepsake urns or small cremation urns if multiple people want a personal portion.

Sharing ashes through keepsakes and cremation jewelry

Some families want a central memorial at home and smaller pieces for those who live far away. That’s where keepsake urns and cremation jewelry can be less about “products” and more about emotional logistics. A keepsake urn can hold a small portion of ashes in a way that feels simple and dignified. Cremation necklaces and other memorial pieces are meant to hold a very small amount—enough to feel close, not enough to replace an urn.

You can browse Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection or go directly to cremation necklaces if you know that’s what you want. If you’d rather start with education first, the cremation jewelry guide explains how these pieces work, how much ashes they typically hold, and what matters for daily wear.

What to do with ashes if your family wants water

Washington families sometimes ask about scattering at the coast or planning a water burial. If you’re considering burial at sea in ocean waters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains the federal general permit and key conditions (including distance-from-shore requirements and reporting). Water memorials can also happen on lakes and rivers, where state and local rules and private-property permissions matter more than federal permitting.

If your heart is set on a water ceremony but you want a clear, contained method, biodegradable water urns are designed to float briefly and then dissolve or sink, depending on the style. Funeral.com’s guide to biodegradable water urns explains what families should expect on the day—especially if you’re worried about wind, timing, or the urn drifting in an uncomfortable way.

Questions to ask a Washington funeral home before you choose aquamation

You don’t need to become a disposition expert overnight. But a few clear questions can protect you from surprises and help you feel steadier about your decision.

• “Is the aquamation performed in a licensed hydrolysis facility, and who is the licensed operator?” (Washington’s rules include operator licensing and oversight in Chapter 308-47 WAC.)
• “What is included in the base price—transfer mileage, sheltering, permits, death certificates, and the return container?”
• “How long does the full timeline typically take from transfer to return of remains?”
• “If we want a witness placement or a private viewing, what does that look like, and what are the added costs?”
• “What will the remains be returned in, and when should we purchase an urn?”

That last question matters more than families expect. Some providers return remains in a temporary container that is perfectly fine for short-term holding. Others return in a basic urn. If you already know you’ll be keeping ashes at home, choosing the urn sooner can reduce stress later.

If you’re unsure where to start, Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn walks through sizing, materials, and the real-life “where will this urn live” question that matters more than aesthetics in the first few weeks.

Pet aquamation, pet urns, and the particular grief of losing an animal companion

Many Washington families learn about aquamation because of pet loss first. The process is commonly used in veterinary settings, and some pet aftercare providers offer aquamation for animals as well. If you’re navigating pet aftercare in Washington, you may see options described as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis for pets.

If you’re looking for a starting point, this provider page can help you locate pet water cremation services in the Seattle region: Resting Waters — Evvi. When you call any provider, the same guidance applies: ask what’s included, ask how and when remains are returned, and ask what kind of container you’ll receive.

When it’s time to choose a memorial, many families want something that feels like their pet—warm, personal, and simple. Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes collection includes a wide range of styles, from classic to modern. If your family wants something more representational, pet figurine cremation urns can feel especially fitting. And if you’re sharing ashes among multiple family members, pet keepsake cremation urns are designed for smaller portions.

One important note if your family is considering a shared water ceremony: the EPA’s burial-at-sea rules apply to human remains, and the EPA states that pets are not eligible under the federal general permit for burial at sea. If you’re planning something coastal for a pet, ask your provider about legal, respectful alternatives for your location. The details matter, and you deserve clarity before the day arrives. You can review the EPA guidance here: Burial at Sea (EPA).

Planning ahead in Washington: how aquamation fits into funeral planning

If you’re reading this before a death occurs, you’re doing something kind for the people who will carry your wishes. Aquamation can be included in pre-planning, just like cremation or burial, as long as your family knows which providers in your area can arrange it.

When families plan ahead, they often separate “what happens to my body” from “what happens to my people.” Aquamation answers the first question. The second question is where funeral planning becomes real: what kind of gathering helps your family grieve, who needs to travel, whether the urn will be present, and whether you want any keepsakes prepared in advance.

If you’re the person who knows everyone will want “a little piece,” consider naming that explicitly. You can leave a note that you want one full-size urn plus a set of keepsake urns, or that you want one person to have a cremation necklace. It may feel strange to write down, but it can prevent conflict later by making your intent clear and loving rather than implied.

FAQs

A final word for families who are trying to get this “right”

If aquamation feels aligned with your family’s values, that matters. If it feels gentler, that matters too. And if you’re still unsure, it’s okay to take a day, gather quotes, and ask the questions again—slowly—until the decision stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like a plan.

Whatever you choose, remember this: the love you’re trying to honor is not measured by the method. It’s measured by the care you take with each step—choosing a provider you trust, making space for a goodbye, and selecting memorial options like cremation urns, pet urns, cremation jewelry, or a simple plan for keeping ashes at home that helps your family breathe again.