Aquamation is a 4-hour process in which a corpse is placed into a steel container with potassium and water added. The water is then heated to 93°C (199°F), which is apparently the most efficient temperature to decompose flesh and organs. The bones are leftover but that happens in cremation too. The benefits of Aquamation is that it uses 10% of the energy of cremation with none of the toxic side effects. It also preserves artificial implants (like hip replacements) for possible re-use.
It seems like a pretty thoughtful, and almost peaceful, way to go out. I’d consider it but think I still prefer either going six feet under or chilling in a freezer. [New Scientist]
DONAR
Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 11:05 PMGotta be honest…I’d rather be ashes than soup.
simulacrum
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 12:59 AMso instead of emptying an urn of grannies ashes with a few bone fragments into the sea, you’d be emptying a steel drum full of goop (made of water, potassium and granny) and some bones?
matt
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 10:01 AMwell, no. I imagine you’d use it as fertiliser for your veggies. and the bones would make a great scarecrow!
“It also preserves artificial implants (like hip replacements) for possible re-use.”
lol, can’t wait to get the ‘Recyclable’ logo tattooed on me!
gillbatesisincognito
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 10:31 AMJust something to wash down your Soylent Green with…
simon
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 11:36 AMhttp://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Vivoleum
nuff said.