Water Cremation in Ohio: Is Alkaline Hydrolysis Legal?

If you've been researching eco-friendly burial options for yourself or a family member in Ohio, you've probably come across alkaline hydrolysis — marketed under names like water cremation, aquamation, or flameless cremation. It uses a water-and-potassium-hydroxide solution to dissolve the body, producing bone fragments and a liquid effluent. It's gentler on the environment than flame cremation, uses about 90% less energy, and leaves behind no mercury emissions from dental fillings.

The problem: as of 2026, alkaline hydrolysis is not a legal method of final disposition in Ohio.

Why Ohio Banned It

Ohio's prohibition isn't explicit — there's no statute that says "alkaline hydrolysis is forbidden." The problem is that Ohio law only recognizes specific methods of disposition, and alkaline hydrolysis doesn't fit any of them.

In 2011, an Ohio funeral director operated an alkaline hydrolysis machine, reasoning that the state's definition of "other manner of final disposition" was broad enough to cover it. The Ohio Department of Health disagreed and refused to issue burial permits for the process. A subsequent court ruling confirmed that alkaline hydrolysis does not meet Ohio's statutory definition of cremation under the Ohio Revised Code. Without a burial permit, disposition is illegal — so the process was effectively shut down.

The Ohio Department of Health's position is straightforward: until the Ohio legislature amends the ORC to explicitly define and authorize alkaline hydrolysis as a recognized disposition method, funeral homes cannot legally offer it, and the state cannot issue the required permits.

What Other States Allow It

Alkaline hydrolysis is legal in more than 25 states. If you're weighing your options or considering arrangements across state lines, here's a quick comparison:

Ohioans who feel strongly about alkaline hydrolysis sometimes make arrangements with facilities just across the state line, though transporting a body out of state adds permit and logistics complexity.

Will Ohio Legalize It?

Possibly. The Ohio Funeral Directors Association has reportedly been in discussions with legislators about introducing a bill that would define alkaline hydrolysis and authorize the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors to regulate facilities offering it. However, as of June 2026, no such bill has passed.

If you're planning ahead and want to document a preference for alkaline hydrolysis in your final arrangements, you can note that preference in your estate planning documents — but be aware that it may not be legally possible to fulfill. Ohio law allows you to execute a Written Declaration of Right of Disposition under ORC 2108.70 that assigns a specific representative to make funeral decisions and specifies your wishes. If alkaline hydrolysis becomes legal before your death, a well-drafted declaration could help ensure it's carried out. If it remains illegal, your designated representative will need to choose a legal alternative.

The Ohio Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide covers the Declaration of Right of Disposition in detail, including the exact format Ohio requires and the hierarchy that applies if you die without one.

Natural Organic Reduction: Also Not Legal in Ohio

Natural organic reduction (NOR) — also called human composting or soil transformation — is a separate process that uses wood chips and organic material to convert a body into compost over roughly 45 days. It's legal in Washington, Colorado, California, Oregon, Vermont, and a handful of other states.

In Ohio, Senate Bill 323 was introduced to legalize NOR, but it faces opposition from the Catholic Conference of Ohio and has not been enacted. Ohio consumers seeking this option face the same dead end as those wanting alkaline hydrolysis: it's not currently available.

What Are Your Legal Options in Ohio?

If you want a lower-impact disposition, here's what's currently available:

Flame cremation (direct cremation) is the lowest-cost legal option, typically ranging from $700 to $2,000 in Ohio for a direct cremation without a service. It still produces carbon emissions but no toxic embalming chemicals.

Green burial is legal and growing in Ohio. Green burial cemeteries like Heritage Acres require 100% biodegradable burial containers, prohibit embalming, and ban concrete vaults. The body is interred in a shallow grave that allows natural decomposition. This is the closest legally available alternative to NOR for Ohio residents. See our post on green burial in Ohio for specifics.

Home burial on private property is also legal under Ohio law, subject to local zoning rules. This allows for a fully natural burial without preservatives or vaults. The logistics are more complex, but for rural property owners it's a viable option.

If the legal landscape for alkaline hydrolysis changes in Ohio, that information will be reflected in the Ohio Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide, which is updated when significant statutory changes occur. For now, the practical advice is to plan around what's available — flame cremation or green burial — while documenting any preference for water cremation in your written declaration in case the law shifts.

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