Water Cremation
Water cremation (also known as bio-cremation or alkaline hydrolysis) is an environmentally friendly option for caring for the bodies of our loved ones. It produces up to six times fewer carbon emissions and uses up to seven times less energy than a fire cremation.
The water cremation process
During the water cremation process, a body is dissolved in an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide and water, inside a stainless steel machine called a resomator. This process usually takes between three and four hours. The process breaks down body remains into bone fragments, which can then be placed into an urn or container, much like a fire cremation.
Is water cremation available in New Zealand?
Christchurch funeral director Bell, Lamb and Trotter opened New Zealand’s first water crematorium (Christchurch Water Cremation) in its new St Asaph St funeral home in early June 2025.
This is a joint venture by Water Cremation Aotearoa, headed by Bell, Lamb and Trotter managing director Andrew Bell and Deborah Richards, who first approached the Ministry of Health seeking approval in 2018.
