S’pore’s first aquamation for pets

What for those who may cremate your loved one fur child not utilizing hearth, however water? This environmentally-friendly, “much less painful” different is now a actuality in Singapore because of The Inexperienced Mortician. 

Based by former renewable power marketing consultant Yang Lavatory and wildlife rescuer Joe Kam, The Inexperienced Mortician is Singapore’s first pet cremation service which makes use of water as an alternative of fireside to course of lifeless pets – higher referred to as aquamation.

Since its launch in March 2023, the duo have carried out the process on pets reminiscent of canine, cats, birds and hamsters on the 2,000 sq. ft facility at Toh Guan Centre in Jurong East. It’s also the one pet cremation service positioned in an industrial constructing, versus conventional farmlands in areas reminiscent of Sungei Tengah or Seletar.

Aquamation as a substitute method to “rejoice life”

The thought of aquamation first got here to Yang in 2018. He beforehand labored as a contract deejay and was within the advertising business, earlier than changing into a headhunter for renewable power firms within the Asia Pacific area. 

A buddy within the funeral business then advised him about aquamation, which is scientifically referred to as alkaline hydrolysis. Coupled with the regular improve of pet possession in Singapore in recent times, Yang knew the chance was there for the taking.

Alongside his enterprise companion Joe, the duo spent three years “finding appropriate area or land, persuading constructing managements, and navigating the complexities of partaking with related companies to introduce a brand new know-how.”

“The likelihood to enact change and distinction – and probably make this accessible for people in future in Singapore – is what drives us to go that additional mile,” Yang mentioned.

Along with aquamation, The Inexperienced Mortician additionally goals to make the process much less miserable, giving pet homeowners extra time to say their farewells and “rejoice life”. 

In an effort to offer consolation and solace to households throughout this tough time, The Inexperienced Mortician stays void of disagreeable and pointless components, together with conventional “urns” which will evoke emotions of eeriness or misery. As an alternative, the crematorium affords vessels particularly designed to swimsuit modern-day properties, in addition to wearable keepsakes.

Our intention is to current a extra constructive and uplifting view of our departed family members, inviting households to mirror upon and cherish the joyful moments they shared. In essence, it’s a celebration of life.

– Yang Lavatory, co-founder of The Inexperienced Mortician

The memorial halls additionally boast high-ceilings and fashionable, nature-inspired décor which intention to evoke a serene environment and recharge guests.

How does aquamation work?

Aquamation has been extensively accessible in america for a number of years for pets. It was first developed a long time in the past as a method to discard animal carcasses utilized in experiments.

It’s a reductive course of that utilises an answer consisting of 95 per cent water and 5 per cent alkali salts to interrupt down natural matter into its basic elements. No strain is used all through the method, nor does it contain the usage of acids or melting of pets; as acids are corrosive and flames are oxidative. 

A standard false impression is that the chemical salts used are the first factor driving the method, however in actuality, the constant mild move of heat water performs an important position. That is primarily based on the idea of collision, the place molecules break up aside.

The ensuing “used water” from aqua cremation, just like decomposition, incorporates amino acids, salts, and peptides. 

“In some nations, this water is repurposed and returned to the earth, permitting for its reabsorption as power in alignment with nature’s meant course of – a reductive method just like burial,” Yang defined.

Moreover, aquamation considerably reduces the time required in comparison with conventional burial, taking solely a day as an alternative of the 5 to 25 years that burial can take to realize.

It’s a reductive course of that utilises an answer consisting of 95 per cent water and 5 % alkali salts to interrupt down natural matter into its basic elements. No strain is used all through the method, nor does it contain the usage of acids or melting of pets; as acids are corrosive and flames are oxidative.

A standard false impression is that the chemical salts used are the first factor driving the method, however in actuality, the constant mild move of heat water performs an important position. That is primarily based on the idea of collision, the place molecules break up aside.

However how does aquamation examine to fireplace cremation?

In Singapore alone, conventional flame-based cremation produces a whopping 5,017,500kg of greenhouse emissions from simply canine in Singapore. To place issues in perspective, if all 27,950 human deaths in 2020 have been creamated, the whole greenhouse emissions would quantity to 7,630,350kg. 

Sustainable advantages apart, it takes 18 to 24 hours to place an animal carcass by aquamation in contrast with cremation, which takes two to 4 hours.

“Some individuals might not like the concept that it takes this lengthy, however some respect the additional time for them to mirror and modify psychologically by the tough interval,” Yang mentioned.

Aquamation can price as much as nearly a thousand {dollars}

Aquamation additionally comes with a hefty price ticket as a result of know-how used in addition to the therapy and disposal of effluent, or the leftover liquid, after aquamation. 

At the moment, The Inexperienced Mortician costs S$577 to S$977 (US$430 to US$730) for a full-service package deal relying on the scale of the pet. This contains accumulating the pet carcass, holding a memorial service, conducting an aquamation, and returning the ashes in an urn to the homeowners. 

Yang hopes that in time, the used water might be repurposed as liquid fertiliser for plant nurseries, which can make the method extra sustainable. This might additionally decrease the associated fee barrier for individuals to choose this eco-friendly choice. 

“Though some nations face the difficulty of (repurposing the used water), we don’t foresee such issues taking place in Singapore as a consequence of its fixed adoption of progressive applied sciences,” he mentioned. 

One other main barrier to popularising aquamation is altering the mindsets of individuals. Some are pushed by faith, whereas others have merely been used to flame-based cremation being the one choice for many years; so accepting this new different might take time. 

Nevertheless, Yang shared that there’s nonetheless hope as aquamation know-how nonetheless permits individuals to obtain the remaining bones and ashes, just like flame-based crematorium.

We’re all born out of water, our bodies of any dwelling organism consisting primarily of water. With Aqua Cremation, we now have the choice to return to the earth as per the cycle of life, our components reabsorbed as nature meant.

– Yang Lavatory, co-founder of The Inexperienced Mortician

Aquamation to cremate human our bodies subsequent?

One in every of The Inexperienced Mortician’s high priorities now could be making certain that the water utilized in aquamation is repurposed or successfully utilised. To that finish, Yang and Joe are actively looking for alternatives, networks, and partnerships that may assist them obtain this aim. 

“That is presently high of our agenda, and we’re actively looking for any help, recommendation or collaboration from organisations, people, and companies to take this course of ahead to full circularity. This aligns with our dedication to zero waste and the setting,” Yang mentioned. 

The duo can be exploring alternatives with agricultural industries, significantly plant nurseries, and farms that utilise hydroponic techniques. Finally, they  wish to use the know-how to cremate human our bodies within the foreseeable future, as soon as the method has gained broader acceptance in Singapore.

Whereas aquamation could also be a game-changer in eco-friendly cremation, it stays to be seen if The Inexperienced Mortician will probably be right here to remain. 

Because of the novelty of aquamation know-how, the corporate is presently on a three-year approval interval. The authorities will then assessment what it has executed earlier than figuring out if it could possibly proceed working.

In the meantime, the duo finally wish to use the know-how to cremate human our bodies within the foreseeable future, as soon as the method has gained broader acceptance in Singapore.

We’re assured that aqua cremation represents the long run for Singapore by way of know-how, sustainable practices and land conservation; all of which align with the altering wants of Singapore and our society.

– Yang Lavatory, co-founder of The Inexperienced Mortician

Featured Picture Credit score: The Inexperienced Mortician