If you are searching for “Is aquamation legal in Ohio?”, the short answer is: No, human aquamation is not currently legal or authorized as a method of final disposition in Ohio.
Aquamation, also called alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, flameless cremation, or green cremation is a sustainable alternative to traditional flame cremation. While a growing number of U.S. states permit water cremation, Ohio state law does not currently include alkaline hydrolysis in its statutory definitions for human disposition.
If you are considering aquamation for yourself or a loved one while living in Ohio, this guide explains current state laws, past legislative efforts, potential out-of-state alternatives, and what to consider when choosing a memorial urn.
Is Aquamation Legal in Ohio?
No. As of 2026, aquamation is not authorized for general human disposition under Ohio law.
Ohio regulates funeral services, embalming, and crematory establishments through Chapter 4717 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), with oversight managed by the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio.
Under current Ohio statutes, "cremation" is strictly defined using traditional thermal/flame-based language. Because the state's legal framework does not explicitly list or authorize alkaline hydrolysis, licensed Ohio funeral homes cannot legally perform human aquamation on-site. The Ohio Department of Health also maintains that alkaline hydrolysis is not recognized as an approved form of final disposition for human remains.
What Is Aquamation?
Aquamation is a form of alkaline hydrolysis that uses warm water, pressure, and an alkaline solution (typically potassium hydroxide) to accelerate the natural decomposition of organic matter.
Instead of direct flame, the process takes place inside a specialized stainless-steel vessel. After the cycle finishes, only the mineral bone fragments remain. These are dried and processed into a fine powder, similar to traditional cremated ashes, though usually whiter in color and slightly greater in volume.
Terms such as aquamation, alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, flameless cremation, and bio-cremation are used interchangeably to describe this eco-friendly process.
Ohio Aquamation Legislation & Legal Status
Over recent legislative sessions, Ohio lawmakers have introduced bills proposing to legalize alkaline hydrolysis for human remains. However, enabling legislation has not passed into law.
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Current Statutory Code: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4717 governs funeral operations and crematory licensing.
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Lack of Enabling Regulations: Without specific legislative amendments to statutory definitions, the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors cannot grant permits for human hydrolysis vessels.
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Future Outlook: Death-care reform advocates continue to introduce and monitor eco-friendly disposition bills. Until legislative action passes both houses and is signed into law, human aquamation remains unavailable inside Ohio borders.
What Does Ohio Law Currently Allow?
Ohio law grants individuals and authorized legal decision-makers the right to direct final disposition choices. Legal disposition methods currently authorized in Ohio include:
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Traditional in-ground burial
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Above-ground mausoleum entombment
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Traditional flame-based cremation
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Anatomical body donation to medical science
(Note: Neither alkaline hydrolysis nor natural organic reduction/human composting is currently authorized for human remains under Ohio law).
Can You Have Aquamation If You Live in Ohio?
Yes, through out-of-state arrangements. While an Ohio funeral facility cannot perform human aquamation on-site, living in Ohio does not prevent you from choosing water cremation.
Families in Ohio who prefer aquamation typically work with a licensed local funeral director to arrange transport of the deceased to a neighboring state where aquamation is legal and active (such as Illinois or Missouri).
If you are exploring out-of-state aquamation options from Ohio, consider asking:
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Which licensed out-of-state facility will perform the alkaline hydrolysis procedure?
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What are the legal requirements and transit permits for cross-state transportation?
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Are all coroner permits, state transit documents, and death certificates included in the cost?
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How and when will the returned remains be sent back to our family in Ohio?
What About Aquamation for Pets in Ohio?
Pet aftercare is governed under different regulations than human funeral services.
Pet aquamation is legal across Ohio. Because animal aftercare operates under agricultural and environmental guidelines rather than human mortuary law, veterinary clinics and independent pet aftercare providers offer water cremation for dogs, cats, horses, and small animals throughout the state.
If you are seeking pet aquamation in Ohio, confirm with the provider whether:
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The service is private (individual) or communal
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Home or veterinary clinic pickup is offered
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The returned mineral ashes are certified and delivered in a secure pet urn
Is Aquamation More Environmentally Friendly Than Cremation?
Aquamation is widely recognized as a lower-impact, sustainable alternative to traditional flame cremation.
While both processes result in returned bone minerals, their environmental profiles differ:
| Feature | Traditional Flame Cremation | Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) |
| Primary Energy Source | Natural gas or propane (1,400°F–1,800°F) | Warm water & electricity (200°F–320°F) |
| Energy Usage | High fossil fuel consumption | Uses up to 90% less energy |
| Air Emissions | Direct carbon emissions & combustion byproducts | Zero direct greenhouse gas stack emissions |
| Surgical Implants | Pacemakers/batteries must be surgically removed prior | Implants remain intact and are safely recovered post-cycle |
| Final Remains | Coarse, gray bone fragments | Fine, pale/white bone fragments |
What Happens to the Remains After Aquamation?
After alkaline hydrolysis is completed out-of-state, the remaining bone material is dried and processed into a fine, pale powder.
Families can place aquamated remains into standard cremation urns. However, because aquamation typically yields 20% to 30% more ash volume than traditional flame cremation, selecting an urn with adequate cubic-inch capacity is recommended.
Common memorialization choices include:
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Full-Size Adult Cremation Urns: Designed to hold ashes safely for display at home or placement in a columbarium niche.
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Keepsake Urns & Companion Urns: Ideal for sharing smaller portions of ashes among family members.
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Scattering: Scattering ashes on private land (with property owner permission) or in designated waters following local guidelines.
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Cremation Jewelry: Wearable pendants or bracelets designed to hold a tiny portion of ash.
Planning ahead? Explore handcrafted, high-quality Trupoint Memorials Cremation Urns designed to safely preserve your loved one's memory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aquamation in Ohio
Is aquamation legal in Ohio in 2026?
No. As of 2026, Ohio law does not authorize human alkaline hydrolysis within its legal definition of cremation or final disposition.
Can an Ohio resident obtain aquamation in another state?
Yes. Families can work with licensed funeral directors to coordinate transportation to a nearby state where human aquamation is legally authorized and operating.
Is water cremation the same as aquamation?
Yes. Water cremation, liquid cremation, bio-cremation, and alkaline hydrolysis are all terms used for the exact same process.
Do I need a special urn for aquamation remains?
Standard cremation urns work well for aquamated remains. However, because water cremation produces a slightly higher volume of ash than flame cremation, ensure your selected urn provides adequate capacity (typically 200+ cubic inches for an average adult).
Who regulates funeral services in Ohio?
The Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio regulates licensed funeral homes, embalmers, and crematory facilities across the state.
Planning Ahead for Aquamation in Ohio
Even though human aquamation is not yet performed within Ohio, planning ahead gives you control over your end-of-life choices. You can document your preferences for out-of-state water cremation in an advance directive, research licensed transport providers, and pre-select a compatible memorial urn.
The Bottom Line
Human aquamation is not currently legal or available inside Ohio. Ohio residents seeking water cremation must arrange for services through authorized out-of-state providers. As death-care options evolve, monitoring future legislation with the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio will provide the latest status on state authorization.
Disclaimer: Legal statutes and state regulations change over time. This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered formal legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio or a licensed funeral professional before finalizing end-of-life arrangements.
Last reviewed: August 2026