Queensland Family Pioneers Water cremation, Sparking Debate Over Greenest Farewell
Capella, Queensland – A Central Queensland family is among the first to embrace a novel approach to death care – alkaline hydrolysis, or ”water cremation” - prompting discussion about the environmental impact of customary burial and cremation methods. Wendy Tasker of Capella says both her husband and mother have now decided water cremation “is the way they will go,” inspired by her own exploration of the process.
The emerging practice, spearheaded by companies like Near You Funerals in north Queensland, is gaining traction as individuals seek more eco-kind options for disposition.However, determining the greenest method remains complex, according to Dr. Hannah Gould, a researcher specializing in death and religion.
Currently,comparisons largely rely on two European studies,one dating back 12 years and the other privately commissioned. both indicated alkaline hydrolysis as the most environmentally friendly option,but Gould points out “concerning exclusions and assumptions” within the research.critically, neither study accounted for water consumption or effluent disposal – factors particularly relevant to the Australian landscape.
Boyle, the developer of the North Queensland technique, asserts his process addresses these concerns by filtering and reusing water, and recycling extracted fats and oils. Gould acknowledges this would be an “extraordinary step forward” and “certainly bolster its environmental credentials,” pending independent verification.
“There is a lot of interest in conducting high quality research in Australia that looks specifically at Australia and what would be the best eco-friendly option,” Gould stated, adding that momentum is building, but conclusive Australian data is currently lacking.
Beyond the scientific debate, Gould cautions against framing eco-friendly death care as solely an individual obligation, noting the environmental impact of a person’s life outweighs the footprint of their death. She also observes that the appeal of “green death” frequently enough stems from a “spiritual worldview” – a desire to return to the earth or ”become a tree” - rather than purely scientific considerations.
Despite some initial reservations within the conservative farming community of Capella, as described by Tasker as “daunting,” the practice is gaining acceptance, fueled by a growing desire for calming and environmentally conscious farewells.
