Alkaline Hydrolysis a new way to "cremate" the dead

[Erato]

"The end result is a quantity of green-brown tinted liquid (containing amino acids, peptides, sugars and salts) and soft, porous white bone remains  ...  this alkaline hydrolysis process has been championed by a number of ecological campaigning groups, for using 1/8 of the energy of flame-based cremation and producing less carbon dioxide and pollutants."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_hydrolysis_(death_custom)

It may use less energy but the carbon and the 'pollutants' are contained in the liquid.  Sooner or later, the carbon compounds in the body will be broken down and will be converted to CO₂ and water, whether the body is buried, cremated or hydrolized.

[Geoff-E]

A little research shows that cremation takes between 1 and 3 hrs depending on body size. As the coffin remains on the catafalque for most of the service and then has to go through an ID process, cremation begins after you leave but usually the same day.

 ... but must take place within 72 hours of the service.

[Gan Yam]

What happens to the liquid?

Soup de jour

Reminds me of the film Soylent Green!

[Andrew Tarr]

The process is more ecologically friendly than cremation.

You have to factor in the cost of making KOH - probably electrolytic as for NaOH, therefore energy consuming - and of keeping the pressure vessel hot.  Otherwise reasonably good recycling I suppose.

[Scribble1952]

Sounds  very Scientific. What if it gets into the wrong Hands.
What purpose could it serve.

[John915]

Good evening,

Ask mr Haigh, acid bath murderer.

John915

[Andrew Tarr]

Ask mr Haigh, acid bath murderer.

Acid bath and alkaline hydrolysis are very different techniques, though probably giving similar results ....