Aquamation and Medical Implants — Pacemakers, Hip Replacements, Breast Implants

Why Implants Matter Less With Aquamation

Medical implants are one of the biggest operational differences between aquamation and flame cremation — and the difference overwhelmingly favors aquamation. Because the process operates at 200–320°F rather than the 1,400–1,800°F of a cremation retort, most implants survive the cycle intact and are recovered cleanly afterward.

This changes the practical conversation for families whose loved one had a pacemaker, joint replacement, or other implanted device.

Pacemakers and Cardiac Defibrillators

With flame cremation, pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) must be surgically removed before the body enters the retort. The lithium-ion batteries inside these devices can explode at high cremation temperatures, damaging the chamber lining and creating a safety hazard for the operator. This is a non-negotiable requirement — every crematorium enforces it.

With aquamation, pacemakers and defibrillators are safe to leave in place. The operational temperature stays well below the threshold for battery combustion. The devices are recovered intact after the cycle, along with the bone minerals, and can be disposed of or recycled through the provider's medical device recovery program.

This eliminates what can be a distressing step for families — the knowledge that a surgical procedure is performed on their loved one's body after death. It also removes a potential delay in the timeline, since the extraction must be performed by a qualified professional.

Orthopedic Hardware — Hips, Knees, Rods, Screws

Titanium rods, cobalt-chromium hip joints, surgical steel screws, and other orthopedic implants are completely unaffected by the alkaline solution. They're recovered after the cycle in pristine condition — no oxidation, no warping, no surface damage.

In flame cremation, the same implants survive the fire but often come out oxidized, discolored, or partially warped. They're functional afterward but not in the same condition.

The recovered metals from aquamation can be returned to the family if requested, donated to orthopedic recycling programs, or disposed of by the provider. Some families choose to keep a hip joint or titanium rod as a tangible memento — the clean recovery makes this a realistic option.

Breast Implants and Silicone Prostheses

This is where the conversation gets more nuanced. Silicone breast implants are made of a silicone elastomer shell filled with either saline or silicone gel. In flame cremation, silicone melts at high temperatures and can leave residue in the retort, but the extreme heat eventually combusts most of it.

In aquamation, silicone doesn't dissolve in the alkaline solution, but handling varies by facility. Some operators remove silicone implants before processing; others leave them in and remove them after the cycle. Ask which protocol the provider follows.

The practical takeaway: ask the provider whether they require pre-process removal of silicone implants or handle them post-cycle. The family should know the protocol in advance rather than learning about it after the fact.

Dental Amalgams and Mercury

Traditional flame cremation vaporizes mercury from dental amalgam fillings at 674°F, releasing heavy metal directly into the atmosphere through the retort's exhaust stack. This is a documented environmental and occupational health concern.

Aquamation operates below mercury's vaporization point. Dental amalgams stay chemically stable throughout the cycle and are recovered intact. This eliminates mercury emissions entirely and allows the amalgams to be collected for proper recycling.

For families who chose aquamation partly for environmental reasons, the mercury advantage is one of the most concrete, measurable benefits of the process.

What to Tell the Provider

When arranging aquamation for someone with medical implants, let the provider know about:

• Any cardiac devices (pacemaker, defibrillator, loop recorder)
• Joint replacements or orthopedic hardware
• Breast implants or other silicone prostheses
• Dental work (amalgam fillings, gold crowns)

The provider needs this information to plan the cycle and the post-process recovery. With aquamation, the conversation is simpler than with flame cremation — most implants require no pre-process intervention — but disclosure upfront prevents surprises for both sides.

The Aquamation / Water Cremation Guide includes an Implant Disclosure Checklist that walks through this conversation step by step, covering what to report, what the provider needs to know, and what to expect back after processing.