What is aquamation? The green alternative to cremation chosen by Desmond Tutu
CTV
Family members gathered to say their goodbyes to anti-apartheid hero Desmond Tutu at a private service at St. George's Cathedral on Sunday. At his request, the Nobel Peace Prize winner's body underwent aquamation -- considered to be a greener alternative to cremation,
At his request, the Nobel Peace Prize winner's body underwent aquamation -- considered to be a greener alternative to cremation -- South Africa's Anglican Church confirmed to CNN on Saturday.
Aquamation is a water-based process whose scientific name is "alkaline hydrolysis", in which a "combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity are used to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials" when a body is laid to rest in soil, according to Bio-Response Solutions, a US company which specializes in the process.
The company's website says the process "uses 90% less energy than flame cremation and does not emit any harmful greenhouse gases."
According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), an international non-profit organization, alkaline hydrolysis is sometimes referred to as flameless cremation.
