What Do You Get Back After Pet Aquamation?
Water Cremation Remains Explained
If you’re considering water cremation for your pet, one of the first questions you may have is a practical one: what will I actually receive?
It’s a fair question. For many families, understanding what the remains look like, how they’re returned, and what to expect physically helps the process feel less uncertain. This page is designed to answer those questions clearly.
What Aquamation Remains Look Like
After water cremation, the remains are a fine, white-to-light-tan powder. The powder is made up almost entirely of calcium phosphate, which is the mineral content of bone.
Compared to flame cremation remains, aquamation remains tend to be:
Lighter in color — typically white or off-white, rather than gray
Finer in texture — softer and more uniform, similar to fine sand or powder
Slightly greater in volume — because the water-based process preserves more mineral content
The amount of remains a family receives depends on the size of the pet. A larger dog will produce more than a smaller cat, for example, but the overall appearance and texture are consistent regardless of size.
Are Aquamation Remains Safe to Handle?
Yes. The remains are completely sterile. The water cremation process breaks down all organic material, leaving only bone mineral. There are no pathogens, no chemicals, and nothing harmful in the powder.
Families can handle the remains safely, whether keeping them in an urn, scattering them, or placing them in a keepsake.
How Remains Are Prepared and Returned
At Reverent Coast®, each pet is cared for individually. After the water cremation process is complete, the remaining bone fragments are carefully dried and then processed into a fine, uniform powder.
Remains are placed in a sealed bag inside a container and returned to the family. The standard return vessel is a simple, clean container appropriate for the volume of remains. Families who have selected a specific urn or keepsake can have the remains placed directly into that vessel.
Every family also receives a certificate of cremation confirming that their pet was cared for individually through private water cremation.
* The choice of Individual and Communal aquamation is available. See our water cremation services page for more information about the process.
How Long Before Remains Are Returned?
The water cremation process itself takes longer than flame cremation — typically around 20 hours, depending on the pet’s size. After the process is complete, there is an additional period for drying and preparing the remains.
Most families receive their pet’s remains within one to two weeks. This timeline can vary based on scheduling, but the team at Reverent Coast will communicate clearly throughout the process so families know what to expect.
[FUTURE LINK: For a more detailed breakdown of timing, see How Long Does Pet Cremation Take?]
How Are These Remains Different From Flame Cremation?
Families who have received remains from flame cremation before may notice a few differences with aquamation remains:
| Flame Cremation | Water Cremation (Aquamation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Gray to dark gray | White to light tan |
| Texture | Coarser, may include small fragments | Finer, more uniform powder |
| Volume | Standard | Typically 20–30% more |
| Composition | Calcium phosphate plus calcium carbonate from high-heat exposure | Primarily calcium phosphate (purer mineral content) |
Neither result is better or worse than the other. The difference is in the process, and the physical outcome reflects that. Some families have a preference; others do not. Both are dignified forms of cremation.
For a broader comparison of the two methods, see What Is Water Cremation for Pets?
What Can Families Do With the Remains?
There is no single right answer. How families choose to keep, display, or scatter their pet’s remains is a personal decision, and there is no timeline for making it.
Some common choices include:
Keeping the remains in an urn at home
Scattering in a meaningful location
Dividing the remains among family members
Placing them in memorial jewelry or a keepsake
Burying the remains in a garden or special spot
Aquamation remains are safe for all of these options. They are non-toxic, sterile, and will not harm soil, water, or plants.
[COMING SOON: For more on these options, see Choosing a Pet Urn or Keepsake: A Simple Guide]
Common Questions
Will I receive all of my pet’s remains?
Yes. Private water cremation means your pet is cared for individually. The remains you receive belong to your pet alone.
Can I bring my own urn?
Yes. If you have a specific urn or vessel, we can place the remains directly into it. Let us know ahead of time so we can accommodate.
What if I’m not ready to pick up the remains right away?
That’s completely understandable. We hold remains securely until you are ready. There is no rush.
Do the remains have an odor?
No. Aquamation remains are odorless. The mineral powder is clean and dry.
Is the process the same for dogs and cats?
The water cremation process is the same regardless of species or size. The amount of remains returned will vary based on your pet’s body weight.
Related Reading
[COMING SOON] Is Aquamation Safe for the Environment? What Families Are Asking
Helpful Links
Reverent Coast® Pet Aquatorium provides private water cremation for dogs, cats, and companion animals across Mobile and Baldwin County. The facility is the first and only dedicated pet aquatorium on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, founded by Dr. Lydia Weber.
If you have questions about the process or what to expect, you are welcome to reach out at any time.
