If someone you love has passed away -- or you're planning ahead -- you've probably come across aquamation while researching your options. Also called water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, it's a newer alternative to flame-based cremation that's generating a lot of interest across Ontario and Canada.
Figuring out what's actually available in Ontario and what it all costs isn't straightforward. You're not alone in feeling uncertain -- many families find themselves in exactly the same position, especially in Toronto and the GTA where providers are limited.
Below, we'll walk through what aquamation is, where you can access it in Ontario, how much it costs, and how it compares to traditional cremation -- so you can feel informed and confident, whatever you decide.
What is aquamation (water cremation)?
Aquamation is a water-based alternative to traditional flame cremation. Its scientific name is alkaline hydrolysis, but most families know it as aquamation or water cremation.
Instead of using fire, the process uses a combination of warm water and a mild alkaline solution -- about 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide -- to gently break down organic tissue. It's the same process that occurs naturally when a body is laid to rest in soil, just accelerated in a controlled, sterile environment.
How the process works
The body is placed in a stainless steel vessel, and the alkaline solution is heated to approximately 150 degrees Celsius and circulated for six to eight hours. During this time, the organic material is reduced to its basic elements, leaving only the mineral structure of the bone behind.
Those minerals are then processed into a fine powder -- similar to what families receive after flame cremation, but with a few notable differences.
What families receive after aquamation
After the process is complete, the remaining bone minerals are dried and processed into a soft, fine powder. Unlike flame cremation, there's no exposure to carbon or combustion, so the remains are typically a clean white or light tan colour.
Families also receive about 20-30% more remains than they would with flame cremation. The texture is finer and softer -- closer to flour than the coarser grit that flame cremation produces.
You can keep, scatter, or divide the remains the same way you would with cremation ashes. If you're considering your options, our guide to what to do with ashes after cremation covers the possibilities. For scattering specifically, each Canadian province has its own rules.
Is aquamation legal in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario legalized aquamation in May 2015, making it one of the first provinces in Canada to do so. As of 2026, aquamation is legal in five Canadian jurisdictions: Saskatchewan (since 2012), Ontario, Quebec (both since 2015), Newfoundland and Labrador (2019), and the Northwest Territories (2020).
But "legal" and "widely available" are two different things -- and that distinction matters for Ontario families.
The regulatory story: the BAO and alkaline hydrolysis
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) regulates all funeral, cremation, and hydrolysis services in the province under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002.
Ontario's relationship with aquamation hasn't been entirely straightforward. In 2017, the BAO revoked the licence of a funeral home operating a low-temperature aquamation machine. The concern was that low-pressure, low-temperature processes might not destroy prions -- the proteins responsible for conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The funeral director, Trevor Charbonneau, challenged the revocation. The Licence Appeal Tribunal and eventually the Ontario Divisional Court ruled in his favour, and the licence was restored.
High-temperature vs. low-temperature: why it matters
This regulatory history highlights a key distinction. Ontario's approved aquamation process uses high-temperature alkaline hydrolysis -- meaning the solution is heated to higher temperatures and maintained under specific pressure conditions. This approach aligns with the World Health Organization's guidelines for the destruction of prions in human tissues.
For families, the practical takeaway is that the aquamation offered by licensed Ontario operators has been vetted under this higher safety standard. If you're speaking with a provider, it's worth confirming they're operating with a current BAO licence.
Where aquamation stands in Ontario today
Even though it's been legal for over a decade, water cremation remains a niche service in Ontario. There are currently only about four licensed aquamation operators in the entire province. No new applications have been filed in recent years, so the landscape hasn't changed dramatically.
Still, demand is growing. Industry data suggests inquiries have increased by roughly 40% year-over-year, driven largely by environmental awareness. In Quebec, one funeral home reported that the process now accounts for 98% of its procedures, with its customer base tripling since introducing the service.
Ontario may be approaching a similar inflection point -- but availability hasn't caught up with interest yet.
Where can you get aquamation in Ontario?
With only about four licensed operators, your options are limited compared to traditional cremation or flame-based direct cremation. Most providers are located in the eastern part of the province, with coverage extending across southern Ontario -- including Toronto and the GTA -- through transportation arrangements.
Licensed providers and coverage areas
The most established aquamation provider in Ontario operates out of the Durham Region (Newcastle and Whitby), serving families across southern Ontario. Their direct aquamation service starts at approximately $1,993.
Other licensed operators include funeral homes in eastern Ontario (Arnprior, Kingston/Napanee area) that offer aquamation alongside traditional services, typically as part of broader funeral packages ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.
If you're in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area, you'll likely need to work with a provider who arranges transportation to their facility. This is standard practice -- similar to how many cremation providers operate -- but it's worth asking about transportation costs upfront.
What to ask when contacting a provider
If you're exploring aquamation in Ontario, here are the questions that will give you the clearest picture:
- Are you licensed by the BAO for hydrolysis services? (Confirm their licence is current.)
- What's the total, all-inclusive cost? (Ask specifically whether transportation, death certificates, and government fees are included or extra.)
- What's the typical timeline from pickup to receiving remains? (Aquamation takes longer per procedure than flame cremation, so ask about any wait times.)
- Do you serve my area? (With so few operators, you may need remains transported over a significant distance.)
- What type of aquamation do you use -- high-temperature or low-temperature? (All current Ontario operators should be using the BAO-approved high-temperature process.)
How much does aquamation cost in Ontario?
Cost is one of the most common questions families have, and the answer depends on the provider and what's included.
Aquamation vs. flame cremation vs. traditional funeral
| Service | Typical Cost Range in Ontario | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Direct aquamation | $1,993 - $5,000 | Transportation, aquamation, basic container for remains |
| Direct flame cremation | $1,500 - $3,000 | Transportation, cremation, basic urn, death certificates |
| Traditional funeral with burial | $8,000 - $15,000+ | Visitation, ceremony, casket, burial plot, headstone |
These ranges reflect 2026 pricing across Ontario providers. Direct aquamation and direct flame cremation are the most comparable options -- both skip the formal funeral service and focus on the disposition itself.
Why aquamation costs more (and whether it's worth it)
Aquamation typically costs more than flame cremation for a few practical reasons:
- Specialized equipment: The stainless steel vessels and alkaline solutions are expensive to purchase and maintain.
- Longer processing time: Each procedure takes six to eight hours (compared to two to three hours for flame cremation), which limits how many procedures a facility can perform.
- Fewer providers: With only about four operators in Ontario, there's less competition to drive prices down.
- Newer technology: As with any newer service, early adoption costs tend to be higher.
Whether the higher cost is "worth it" is a personal decision. Some families prioritize the environmental benefits. Others feel the gentler nature of the process honours their loved one. Both are valid reasons -- and neither requires justification.
Environmental benefits of aquamation
The environmental angle is a major reason families consider water cremation, and the numbers are significant.
Energy, emissions, and carbon footprint
Aquamation uses approximately 90% less energy than flame cremation. While a standard cremation requires burning natural gas at temperatures above 760 degrees Celsius for two to three hours, aquamation operates at much lower temperatures over a longer period, resulting in dramatically lower emissions.
Here's how they compare:
| Factor | Flame Cremation | Aquamation |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | High (natural gas at 760+ degrees Celsius) | ~90% less |
| Carbon emissions | Significant (greenhouse gases, particulates) | Minimal to none |
| Mercury emissions | Yes (from dental fillings) | None |
| Remaining material | Bone fragments + carbon residue | Pure bone minerals |
The process produces no direct air emissions -- no greenhouse gases, no mercury from dental amalgam, and no particulate matter. For families who care about environmental impact, this can be a meaningful consideration.
How it compares to other green options
Aquamation isn't the only environmentally conscious option available. Green burial (no embalming, biodegradable casket) and human composting (legal in some US states but not yet in Ontario) are other alternatives families consider.
Among the options currently available in Ontario, aquamation has the smallest carbon footprint. But for families where it isn't practical -- due to cost, availability, or timing -- direct flame cremation is still a significantly lighter environmental footprint than a traditional funeral with embalming and burial.
Is aquamation right for your family?
There's no wrong answer here. The "right" choice is whichever one honours your loved one and feels manageable for your family right now.
Questions to consider
- Is environmental impact a priority? If reducing your carbon footprint matters to your family, aquamation offers measurable benefits.
- Are you comfortable with a less established process? Aquamation is scientifically sound and BAO-regulated, but it's still newer. Some families find comfort in the familiarity of flame cremation.
- Does the provider's location work for you? With limited operators, you may be dealing with longer transportation distances.
- Does the cost fit your budget? Aquamation runs higher than direct cremation. If cost is a primary concern, it's worth comparing all-inclusive totals carefully.
- Is timing a factor? The process can take longer to schedule, especially if providers are managing limited capacity.
What if aquamation isn't available in your area?
This is the reality many Ontario families face. With only a handful of licensed operators, the service may not be accessible -- especially if you need arrangements made quickly or if the transportation logistics don't work for your situation.
If you've been researching aquamation but find it's not practical for your circumstances, direct cremation is worth considering. It's the simplest and most transparent form of flame cremation -- no formal service, no embalming, no upselling. At Cleo, for example, our direct cremation service includes everything at a fixed, all-inclusive price: transportation, cremation, death certificates, and a basic urn. No hidden fees.
We want to be transparent: Cleo offers direct flame cremation, not aquamation. We wrote this guide because we believe families deserve clear, honest information about all their options -- even the ones we don't provide. For a broader comparison between the two methods, our article on cremation vs. aquamation in Canada covers the differences in detail.
Making your decision with confidence
Whether you choose aquamation, direct cremation, or another path entirely, the most important thing is that your decision feels right for your family. There's no single "correct" answer -- only the one that honours your loved one and gives you peace of mind.
If you're navigating this for the first time, it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Take the time you need. Ask questions. Compare providers. And remember: many families find that simply understanding their options makes the whole process feel more manageable.
If aquamation isn't practical for your situation and you'd like to explore direct cremation with someone who won't pressure you, Cleo's team is available 24/7. One call is all it takes.
(438) 817-1770