When facing the loss of a pet, beyond burial and traditional cremation, what other options do owners have?

Matthew, a fellow dog lover, lost his beloved dog years ago. After researching many traditional cremation services, he was inspired to introduce aquamation (bio-cremation) services from abroad to Hong Kong.

The Latest Aquamation Technology

Aquamation uses the latest water-based technology to allow a pet's remains to naturally decompose in water. Matthew, the founder of Pet To Nature, explains: "After decomposition, the bones remain. After a drying process, we arrange for owners to collect their pet's ashes within a week."

Many owners unfamiliar with aquamation mistakenly think it involves dissolving the remains in boiling water. Matthew clarifies: "Absolutely not. The aquamation process is not very different from burial — it is also a natural decomposition process. It uses water temperature and pH control to complete the natural decomposition. Just like burial takes 10, 15, or even 20 years, aquamation's main purpose is to reduce that natural decomposition time to 24 hours — a more natural and comfortable environment compared to burial."

Also Used for Humans Abroad

According to Matthew's wife Fiona, aquamation is already very common abroad in countries like the UK and USA, where it is even used for human remains. After the 24-hour aquamation process, what remains is water and bones containing the pet's organic matter — sugars, salts, and amino acids — which can be used to grow plants, allowing the pet's life to continue in a new cycle of light.

Limited Choices in the Pet Farewell Market

Matthew and Fiona recall that when their pet passed away, there were very few pet farewell service options available. "The Chinese tradition is 'dust to dust, earth to earth' — burial is the most natural way. But due to Hong Kong's land constraints and the illegality of burying pet remains in public areas, cremation has been the only option." While cremation has its merits, having more choices for owners is always a good thing.

Mobile Farewell Room

For owners and family members who have difficulty moving around but still want to say goodbye to their pet, Matthew has set up a mobile farewell room. "First, it allows family members with mobility issues to say goodbye to their pet. Second, it's more humane — it helps owners reduce the grief of losing their beloved companion." Matthew recalls an owner who told him their pet loved riding in cars during its lifetime, and asked if that could be arranged after death. At the time, without the mobile farewell room, it wasn't possible. But now it is: "The ceremony can be held in the mobile farewell room. If the pet loved Penfold Park, we can drive around outside Penfold Park to fulfil its wish!"

*Text and images from ThinkHK — "Future of Pets: A Different Kind of Pet Farewell — Aquamation"

*Source: http://www.thinkhk.com/article/2018-11/16/30842.html