Water cremation in the UK: is it legal, and when will it be available?

Water cremation is now legal in Scotland. But you can’t have one yet, because no one has opened a facility there. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the law hasn’t changed, so nobody can offer it. If you're comparing what you can choose today, our free guide to funerals is a good place to start.

It's natural to be curious about greener options, and you're not alone. Here's what water cremation is, where the law stands and what you can do now.

What is water cremation?

Water cremation uses warm water and a gentle alkali instead of flame. You may also hear it called aquamation, alkaline hydrolysis, liquid cremation or resomation. They all describe the same process.

The body is placed in a sealed chamber with water and an alkali solution. Over a few hours, this gently breaks the body down. Bone fragments are left behind, and the family receives them as a fine, pale powder, much like the ashes from a traditional cremation.

The process is better known abroad. Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose it in 2021, and it is available in parts of the USA, Canada, Australia and Ireland.

Is water cremation legal in the UK?

Scotland - In March 2026, Scotland became the first UK nation to allow water cremation. It's the first new type of funeral there since cremation began in 1902. Before a family can choose it, a provider needs to build a facility. That means planning permission, permission to release the treated water, and sign-off from the Scottish Government.

England and Wales - No law covers water cremation, so nobody offers it. In June 2026, the Law Commission published recommendations for a new legal framework, with draft laws for England and Wales. The UK and Welsh Governments haven't yet decided whether to take them forward, and there's no timetable.

Northern Ireland - No law covers it, and the Law Commission's proposals don't apply there.

Why has it taken so long? The main questions are practical. Water companies and councils need to be confident about how the treated water is handled, and the law needs to say who can offer it and how it's checked. These take time, and that's why the law is changing slowly.

Exploring alternatives to a traditional funeral?

Our free Funeral Guide covers direct cremation, funeral plans, and the different ways to pay. Compare your options with no pressure.

How does the water cremation process work?

The scientific name is alkaline hydrolysis, and it's the term used in Scottish law. It sounds high-tech, but the idea is simple. Warm water and a mild alkali do the work that flame does in a traditional cremation. It happens quietly, and with the same care and dignity as any other farewell.

1. Your loved one is placed in a stainless steel chamber, usually in a soft, natural-fibre shroud.

2. The chamber fills with water and an alkali solution, and the water is gently warmed.

3. Over a few hours, the body breaks down naturally. Only bone fragments remain.

4. The bone is dried and ground to a fine powder, then placed in an urn.

5. The family receives the urn, just as they would after a flame cremation.

The remaining liquid is sterile and contains no DNA. It's treated and released through the water system, which is why providers need permission from the water authority.

Is water cremation better for the environment?

Many people are drawn to water cremation because it's seen as a greener choice. It uses less energy than flame cremation and doesn't burn fuel, so it produces fewer emissions. Providers also point out that it avoids releasing smoke from the chimney.

If a greener farewell matters to you, you're in good company. It's one of the most common reasons people ask about it.

How much will water cremation cost?

Nobody can give you a UK price yet, because no one is offering water cremation here, but that doesn’t leave you guessing, as there is enough evidence to show roughly where prices are likely to land and what will shape the final bill.

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew says prices elsewhere point to a cost close to cremation, and possibly a little higher at first. It also expects water cremation to be cheaper than burial. AfterLoss reports that the Scottish Government expects something similar.

The reason for a possible premium at the start is that every provider has to build a new facility from scratch, which means securing planning permission, installing specialist equipment and obtaining consent to release the treated water, and early prices are likely to reflect those set-up costs. In Scotland, councils can also build or arrange facilities themselves, which could help keep water cremation open to everyone rather than only private customers.

Water cremation and flame cremation: what's the difference?

Water cremation and flame cremation end in the same way. Your loved one is cremated, and the family receives what remains in an urn. What changes is everything that happens in between.

How each method works

A flame cremation uses intense heat and fire. A water cremation uses warm water and a mild alkali instead, with no flame at all. It takes a few hours and happens quietly, inside a sealed chamber.

What the family receives

For the family, what comes back feels familiar. After a flame cremation, you receive ashes. After a water cremation, you receive a fine, pale powder. You can keep it, scatter it or bury it, just as you would ashes.

Which is better for the environment?

The difference many people care about most is the impact on the planet. Flame cremation burns fuel and releases emissions. Water cremation uses less energy and gives off no smoke, which is why so many people see it as the greener choice.

Where does each option stand in the UK today?

Today, though, only one of the two is a real option. Flame cremation is available across the UK. Water cremation is legal in Scotland, but nobody can offer it yet.

Put your wishes in writing now

Water cremation may well become an option one day. Scotland has opened the door, and the law in England and Wales is under review. Until then, the most useful thing you can do is make sure the people you love know what you’d want.

If a greener farewell matters to you, it’s worth writing your wishes down now, and our free guide to putting your affairs in order walks you through it. It helps you record your wishes, where your important documents are kept and who to contact. If the law changes, your family will know what you’d have chosen.

A little planning today is a kind gift to the people who will one day carry out your wishes.

Frequently asked questions

Is water cremation legal in the UK?

It's legal in Scotland, where the law changed on 2 March 2026. It isn't regulated in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and nobody in the UK offers it yet.

Why is water cremation illegal in England?

It isn't banned by name. No law covers it, so nobody can offer it. The Law Commission has recommended a new legal framework, but the Government hasn't decided whether to introduce one.

When will water cremation be available in the UK?

There's no confirmed date. In Scotland, a provider first needs planning permission and consent to release the treated water. In England and Wales, the law would need to change first.

How does water cremation work?

Warm water and a mild alkali gently break the body down over a few hours. Bone fragments are left, and the family receives them as a fine powder in an urn.

Is aquamation the same as water cremation?

Yes. Aquamation, alkaline hydrolysis, liquid cremation and resomation all describe the same process. Resomation is one provider's brand name for it.

Is aquamation legal in the UK?

Aquamation is legal in Scotland, where the law changed on 2 March 2026. It isn't regulated in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and nobody in the UK offers it yet.

What does water cremation leave behind?

Bone fragments, which are dried and ground to a fine, pale powder. The family receives it in an urn, much like the ashes from a flame cremation.

How much does water cremation cost?

There are no UK prices yet. Early guidance suggests a cost close to a flame cremation, possibly a little higher at first, and lower than a burial.