The Co-op has announced it will be launching water cremation later this year, the first of its kind service in the UK.
Also known as Resomation and Alkaline Hydrolysis, water cremation is presented as a sustainable alternative to burial and standard cremation. The UK's largest funeral provider will begin offering the practice that "speeds up" the natural process.
Water cremation is a four hour process in which the deceased is put into a biodegradable pouch that is placed into a container with pressurised water and potassium hydroxide. The remaining "soft bones" are dried and then reduced to a powder similar to ash, which is returned to the bereaved in a sustainable urn.
The Co-op Funeralcare says the offering will "revolutionise" the way we put our loved ones to rest. Water cremation is currently available in almost 30 of 50 American states as well as Canada and South Africa. It could also be made available in Ireland this year.
Anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose water cremation for his own burial in 2021.
Research conducted by You Gov on behalf of the Co-op has highlighted that alternative methods like as Resomation, have potential to be a preferred choice for UK funerals.
The research found that 89% of UK adults had not heard of the term Resomation, but, once explained, less a third (29%) said they would choose it for their own funeral if it were available.
Gill Stewart, MD of Co-op Funeralcare said: "Our priority is to help families create a funeral that is personal every step of the way, and as the leading provider of funerals in the UK introducing innovative and sustainable options for our clients is an absolute priority.
"Up until now choice has been limited to burial or cremation. We’ve seen from the rapid uptake of newer funeral options such as direct cremation, that when choice in the funeral market is broadened, this is only a positive thing both for the bereaved and for those planning ahead for their own farewell."
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