Tuesday September 30th 2025
Andrew Purves, COO of William Purves Funeral Directors, has been part of a working group advising the Scottish Government on the introduction of water cremation.
This article has been written by William Purves Funeral Directors who are supporters of Midlothian View.
140 years after the UK’s first recorded cremation, Scotland is poised to make history by introducing hydrolysis as an alternative to flame cremation.
Hydrolysis, sometimes referred to as aquamation, is a chemical process that reduces a person’s body into some of its natural elements leaving a residue much like ash. With no emissions, and lower energy costs, hydrolysis is a more eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional cremation.
How does it work?
Hydrolysis is a natural process sped up taking mere hours rather than days. Bodies are placed in a pressurised chamber where alkaline is added to warm water and pressure is applied over a period of 3 hours. Water is drained safely with waste values considered to be well within the safe limits for the water table. Residue is white, fine and can be returned to families within a few days to be scattered, interred or stored in traditional urns, caskets, tubes or other keepsakes such as jewellery.
Key benefits
Compared to flame cremation which requires sustained temperatures of 1000+ degrees centigrade for at least 1.5 hours, the energy costs to run the process are considerably lower. The residue from hydrolysis does retain some carbon value unlike flame cremations so there are some recycle or composting benefits. It’s sustainability benefits are stronger. And for many, it is perceived as being a gentler alternative to burial or flame cremation, adding to its environmental credibility.
Practice and Politics
A working group is advising the Scottish Government representing funeral directors and their professional associations: National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), environmentalists, politicians, specialists in hydrolysis, academics, water and environmental bodies. They are confident that changes to the Scottish Burial and Cremation Act are expected before 2026 and are focused on developing a framework for delivery. At Holyrood this requires an Act of Parliament to become law. From then, assuming land and planning permission have been granted, the timescale to build a facility is likely to take 12 months.
In England, a facility has been built but there is no legal framework in place to ensure hydrolysis can be safely delivered. In fact, the funeral sector south of the border remains unregulated despite Scotland taking the step in March 2025.
Social Impact
140 years ago, Mrs Jeanett Pickersgill was the first UK citizen to be officially cremated. In 1888, this new alternative to burial was met with scepticism and criticism by the British public and in that first year, records show a total of 28 cremations.
Now, cremation accounts for around 80% of UK funerals, especially in urban areas where land for burial is scarce and when demand for alternative funeral options and personalisation is at an all time high.
Hydrolysis is already part of the funeral culture in the Netherlands and the USA.
Anticipated Cost
Like any first-to-market idea, the price will be set by those who lead the field. We anticipate it will be competitively priced to be similar or lower than traditional cremation. Cremation is already cost effective when compared to burials.
A New Way of Thinking
Hydrolysis will not include a traditional coffin – a key element of funerals that will take some cultural adaptation and acceptance. The working group need to consider how to tackle this change. Suggestions may range from offering traditional and personalised coffins with an inner cardboard lining that can later be recycled to renting a coffin for the funeral.
What people can wear may have to be considered as there may be restrictions to consider on types of clothing suitable for the process. A precedent for this exists in woodland or natural burials where only natural materials can be worn.
Embalming will still be possible.
William Purves, Andrew Purves Director says:
“We are very supportive of this alternative to current cremation or burial options, as demand for personalised and more environmentally friendly or natural solutions continues to rise.
“Our view is that we want Government to carefully manage future options to reassure the public new alternatives are safe, moral, decent and right. As a sector, we’re increasingly open to exploring possibilities.
“We also recognise hydrolysis tourism may emerge once the first funerals take place. Like 140 years ago, the trend will encourage people to travel to get a send-off that’s unique and meaningful. Our current experience of natural burials in East Lothian’s Binning Wood for Edinburgh families is proof that people choose to travel further and longer to get it just right, especially with our live streaming options in support.”
For more information see here williampurves.co.uk
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