Alkaline Hydrolysis Legal States 2025

Alkaline hydrolysis has become a popular method of disposing of both human and pet remains. It has become an alternative to traditional burial and cremation. This is a cremation method that uses lye and heat to dispose of the body. It is based on the principle of alkaline hydrolysis.

Using this method, the body is placed in a vessel that has a tremendous amount of pressure. Then, it is heated to a temperature of about 160 degrees C, or 320 F, at that high pressure. The goal of the pressure is to prevent the body from boiling. The entire process takes between four and six hours to complete. If the temperature is reduced, the process will take a few extra hours. The mixture is very acidic, and it is used to dissolve the body. The more fat there is, the longer the process will take.

Is Alkaline Hydrolysis Encouraged Among Religious Groups?

For a long time, cremation has been discouraged among a lot of religious groups, including Christianity. Islam forbids cremation as well, and there are some subsets of Judaism that discourage cremation and alkaline hydrolysis.

Given that alkaline hydrolysis is seen as a subset of cremation, it is also largely discouraged. A lot of people believe that it desecrates the body, so a lot of religious leaders will encourage someone to get buried instead. The problem with burial is that there is not always land available, so it can be very expensive for someone to be buried.

Is Alkaline Hydrolysis Legal in the USA?

This is largely an issue that is handled on a state-by-state basis. The only state that has made alkaline hydrolysis explicitly illegal is New Hampshire, although it was legal in the state from 2006-2008.

Several states— Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin— have legislation pending to decide on the legality of alkaline hydrolysis.

Although alkaline hydrolysis is legal in Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, and Vermont, there are no active practitioners. This means that there is no one to perform the process.

Other states have made alkaline hydrolysis legal and have practitioners, including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The process is also legal in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

If you are located in one of these states, then alkaline hydrolysis is an option for you, but you need to think about all of the options available before you decide to go with alkaline hydrolysis as a burial option. There is legislation in other states for alkaline hydrolysis.

Is Alkaline Hydrolysis a Popular Option for Burial?

While alkaline hydrolysis is not necessarily considered popular, it has become more popular during the past few years. A lot of people do not like what cremation does to the environment, but they do not want to get buried either, as land is hard to come by. One possible option is alkaline hydrolysis.

While it is not universally accepted across the U.S., there is a possibility that alkaline hydrolysis will become more popular in the future. It is critical for people to consider all of the options to them, and as more states open the doors to alkaline hydrolysis, expect to see this as a more common treatment option in the near future.