Soon, I will be re-introducing SB 352 from last session. This bill establishes a definition of cremation, which will include a final disposition process called alkaline hydrolysis.

Alkaline hydrolysis is method of final disposition that reduces the body to essential elements, which are mineral remains, or “ash” (and YES, the remains are by the true definition, “ash”).  Just as with flame cremation, the family receives an urn with ashes. With alkaline hydrolysis, the family receives approximately 20% more.

The process creates no emissions, uses 90% less energy than cremation by flame and has less than 1/10th the carbon footprint of cremation by flame. In funeral homes in states where this process has been permitted 80% of families have made the choice of alkaline hydrolysis.

This bill will give Pennsylvania families a choice between burial, cremation by flame, and cremation by alkaline hydrolysis and make it possible for cremation professionals to offer this option to the families they serve.

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this green, gentle method of disposition of the remains of loved ones in Pennsylvania.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0544: 1-1991