Water Cremation

in Denver, Colorado & Beyond

Why Water Cremation?

A single fire cremation is similar to driving from Denver to Salt Lake City*.

Using 90% less energy**, Water Cremation is the clear environmental choice.

*Source: Matthews Environmental Solutions as stated in National Geographic & EPA Emissions Calculator.

**Source: Bio Response Solutions

Fire Cremation vs. Water Cremation

Low-Cost Cremation

❌ C02 Intensive

❌ Ashes Returned in Plastic Box

❌ No Chance to View Loved One

❌ Third-Party Crematory

❌ Hidden Fees

❌ Poor Communication

❌ No Follow-Up Care

Be a Tree Cremation

✅ 90% Less Energy*

✅ Biodegradable Bamboo Urn

✅ Spend Time with Loved One

✅ On-Site Water Cremation

✅ Transparent Pricing

✅ Clear Communication

✅ Compassionate Follow-Up

*Source: Bio Response Solutions

What Do You Get Back From Water Cremation?

  • Urn with Cremated Remains

    The skeletal remains left from Water Cremation are returned in a biodegradable bamboo urn.

  • Tree Tea™

    You may keep some of the water left for use in your own garden or house plants.

  • Parting Stones

    Cremated remains may also be returned as stones. Learn more about Parting Stone.

How Does Water Cremation Work?

Mimicking Nature’s Process

Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or aquamation, is a gentle process that uses 95% water and 5% lye (potassium hydroxide) combined with heat to mimic the natural decomposition process.

What’s Left After Water Cremation?

Everything except skeletal remains and implants is gently dissolved into a nontoxic liquid solution of amino acids, peptides, sugars, and soap, with no DNA remaining. We call this liquid Tree Tea™.

The skeletal remains are air-dried, processed, and returned in an urn similar to the “ashes” from a fire cremation. Artifical implants are recovered and recycled.

How Long Does Water Cremation Take?

The process is about 18 hours in total. This means we care for one loved one per day giving our full attention to that individual and their family.

Where Does the Water Go?

The Tree Tea™ is donated to various land partnerships such as The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Evergreen Memorial Park, and more. It can even be returned to private property.

How Much Does Water Cremation Cost?

We believe in transparent pricing and providing comprehensive, personal care.

Our full-service Water Cremation package starts at $3,920

See Pricing & Packages >

Giving Back to Nature

We are proud to partner with several key organizations and individuals to give Tree Tea™ back to the land in a responsible manner.

Service Area for Water Cremation

We serve families all over the state of Colorado. Transportation within 30 miles of Be a Tree Cremation is included in all packages and is $2.80 per mile outside of that radius. Out-of-state transportation is quoted upon need. See pricing & packages >

Watch More About Water Cremation

Here are a few short videos with more information on our process.

What Families Are Saying

Where is Water Cremation Legal?

  • Legalized in Alabama in 2017

    Statute added alkaline hydrolysis to its definition of cremation

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in Arizona in 2020

    HB 2179

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2017 in California

    7611.9 of the California Business and Professions Code went into effect in 2020

  • Legalized in 2011 in Colorado

    Colorado Statutes § 12-54-102 changed the definition of cremation

  • Passed in 2026

    Senate Bill No. 142

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2010

    Florida Statutes § 497.005 expanded the definition of “cremation”

  • Legalized in 2012

    Ga. Code Ann. 43-18-1 changed the state’s definition of cremation

  • Legalized in 2022

    HB 1894 signed into law

  • Legalized in 2014

    Senate Commerce & Human Resources Committee amended the Rules of the State Board of Morticians

  • Legalized in 2012

    410 ILCS § 18/5 changed the state’s definition of cremation to include the process

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2011

    Kansas Statutes § 65-1760 expanded its definition of cremation to include other methods than just “direct exposure to intense heat and flame”

  • 21RS HB 346 is pending

  • No Legislation passed

  • Legalized in Maine in 2009

    Attorney General approved a new definition of cremation in the Maine Rules for Establishment and Operation of Crematoria

  • Legalized in Maryland in 2010

    Maryland Business Regulation Code § 5-101 changed the definition of cremation to include processes other than heat and flame

  • Bill S.1391 is under consideration

  • No Legislation passed

  • Legalized in Minnesota in 2003

    Process was given licensing regulations and requirements

  • No legislation passed

  • 20 CSR 2120-2.071 considers a legal final disposition method as it falls within the state’s definition of “cremation”

  • No legislation passed

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in Nevada in 2017

    Assembly Bill 205 included a definition of alkaline hydrolysis

  • Legalized in New Hampshire in 2006 and repealed in 2008. 2013 bill failed

  • No legislation passed

  • No legislation passed

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2018

    N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-210.136

  • House Bill 1294 was proposed in 2017

    Status is unknown

  • No legislation passed

  • No laws or regulations about alkaline hydrolysis

  • Legalized in 2009

    Oregon Revised Statutes § 692.010(4) changed its definition of “final disposition” to include the dissolution of human remains

  • Senate Bill 810 is under consideration

  • No legislation passed

  • No legislation passed

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2021

    Tennessee SB931

  • Senate Bill 105 is under consideration

  • Legalized in 2018

    H.B. 121

  • Legalized in 2014

    26 V.S.A. 21 § 1211

  • Legalized in 2023

    Senate Bill 1487

  • Legalized in 2020

    RCW 68.50.110

  • No legislation passed

  • Legalized in 2022

    HB 4647

  • Legalized in 2014

    Wyoming Statutes § 33-16-502 changed the Funeral Services Practitioners Act in 2014 to include “chemical disposition”

Additional reading