The History of Water Cremation: A Greener Path for California Families

Choosing water cremation allows for a peaceful, environmentally friendly farewell. At Anubis Cremations, we offer sustainable alkaline hydrolysis services in California—helping families honor their loved ones with dignity and care.

When considering final arrangements for yourself or a loved one, environmental impact is becoming an essential factor. One of the most eco-friendly choices available today is water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or aquamation. While water cremation is gaining popularity as a green alternative to flame cremation and burial, its history and development are both fascinating and significant.

Anubis Cremations utilizes advanced alkaline hydrolysis technology to provide eco-friendly water cremation services in California. This gentle process uses water and natural alkali to break down remains with virtually no emissions, 1/12th the energy of flame cremation, and zero direct pollution—making it the most sustainable end-of-life option available today.

The Origins and Development of Water Cremation

Alkaline hydrolysis was first patented in 1888 by Amos Herbert Hobson as a method to process deceased animal into plant fertilizer. The process involves using water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure or agitation to accelerate the natural decomposition of organic materials. In the 1990s, medical facilities and universities began adopting alkaline hydrolysis for the disposition of human cadavers, recognizing its sanitary and environmentally friendly benefits. By 2005, specialized equipment designed for human water cremation became available, leading to its adoption by funeral homes and crematories as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Today, as more states, including California, legalize water cremation, its benefits are being increasingly recognized by environmentally conscious individuals and the funeral industry alike.

Why Water Cremation Is Gaining Popularity

Unlike traditional flame-based cremation, which releases carbon dioxide and other emissions into the atmosphere, water cremation is a gentle, energy-efficient process that mimics natural decomposition. The process:

Unlike flame cremation, water cremation produces zero direct emissions and uses 92% less energy, making it the most eco-friendly end-of-life option for California families.

Produces virtually no emissions, eliminating airborne pollutants such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
Uses significantly less energy than flame cremation, reducing overall energy consumption.
Leaves behind pure, mineral-rich remains, which are returned to the family in an urn, similar to traditional cremation.
At Anubis Cremations, the entire process is powered by 100% renewable electricity, making it one of the most sustainable options available.

Anubis Cremations Serves Families Across California

As awareness of water cremation grows, more families across California are choosing this earth-friendly disposition option. Anubis Cremations proudly serves all counties and cities in California, including the following:

Northern California

San Francisco County: San Francisco
Alameda County: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, Union City
Santa Clara County: Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sunnyvale
Sacramento County: Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento
Marin County: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon

Central California

Fresno County: Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, Selma
Monterey County: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, Soledad
San Luis Obispo County: Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo
Kern County: Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, Wasco

Southern California

Los Angeles County: Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier
Orange County: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda
San Diego County: Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista
San Bernardino County: Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Montclair, Needles, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley
Riverside County: Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Eastvale, Hemet, Indian Wells, Indio, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula, Wildomar
Ventura County: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura (Ventura), Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks

A Modern Solution for Environmentally Conscious Families

At Anubis Cremations, we believe that choosing water cremation is not just about honoring a loved one but also about honoring the planet. With a much lower carbon footprint than traditional options, water cremation aligns with the values of sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship.

If you’re considering water cremation in California, we invite you to explore our services and learn how Anubis Cremations provides a simple, compassionate, and eco-friendly way to say goodbye.

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