Aquamation in Los Angeles

A gentle, water-based cremation process that transforms the body back into its natural building blocks. This process returns a person to the earth in a respectful, sustainable way.

Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a water-based alternative to flame cremation that uses 90% less energy than conventional cremation, and leaves no harmful emissions. The process leaves behind a nutrient-rich essence that can be safely and responsibly returned to the environment.

Abstract blue and white geometric maze-like design with textured brush strokes

DIRECT Aquamation

$3,750

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Service fee for funeral director, staff, and overhead.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Preparation of (1) death certificate and permits.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Pickup and transportation to care center in Los Angeles. Includes 25 miles of transport. $3 per additional mile.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Coordination with local medical examiner/coroner, if required. Coroner fees are not included.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Refrigerated storage (8 days).

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Transportation to the disposition location.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Cost of aquamation.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

State fees.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Plastic storage container for cremated or composted remains.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Cremated remains can be picked up at our DTLA office or mailed to you at an additional cost.

Aquamation

  + Parting Stone

$5,745

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Same as Direct Water Cremation.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Discounted remains solidification service and facilities for a memorial service (3 hours).

Aquamation

  + service

$5,549

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Same as Direct Water Cremation.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Dressing and casketing.

Small cream-colored square icon with a simple face and a red curved mark near the bottom.

Use of LifeSource staff (1) and Bellflower Chapel (3 hours).

Remains Containers and Living Keepsakes

LifeSource offers sustainable and locally crafted products to help you memorialize your loved one. Nourish new life and memorialize your loved one with a beautiful indoor or outdoor plant.

Wooden geometric planter with trailing green plant on a light surface
Multicolored wooden block-style cabinet with a stacked plank pattern on a white background
Wooden geometric planter with a small green succulent on a white shelf

The Water Cremation Process

We believe in 100% transparency and are available 24/7 to answer your questions.

Dark green circular dot on a white background

Arrange and Transfer Care.

Meet with LifeSource either virtually or in-person to discuss our aquamation services. Once the services are arranged, LifeSource brings the deceased into our care.

Green ring icon on a white background

Documentation.

LifeSource records and files the paperwork required to notify the State and County of the death.

Green ring icon on a white background

Care and Preparation.

Once in our care, the individual is bathed and prepared for the funeral and/or aquamation.

Green ring icon on a white background

Water Cremation.

The individual is placed in a specialized vessel filled with water and alkali salts (potassium hydroxide, also known as Lye). The alkali solution breaks-down the chemical bonds in the body, gently transforming it into a nutrient-rich solution. Just as with flame cremation, the bones remain intact and are reduced to a fine ash-like powder. The liquid is then treated so it is safe to go to a wastewater treatment facility.

Green ring icon on a white background

Return of Remains.

Each water cremation produces approximately six pounds of remains, which are available for pick-up at the LifeSource office in Downtown Los Angeles. From Memorial Trees to scattering at sea, LifeSource offers a variety of memorial options that give back and become a source of new life.

Celebrations and Memorials

What if your values could shape your legacy? Each of our sustainable deathcare options means your goodbye is not just an ending—it’s a gift to future generations. We work with you to find an end-of-life option that heals our planet and is perfectly tailored to your values and your story.


LifeSource is here to help so you can remain present and focus on celebrating and saying goodbye to your loved one. Don’t forget to ask us about our event planning services.

Traditional Viewing and Funeral Service

Traditional Memorial with Remains

Personalized Memorials

Personalized Scattering

Scatter at Sea

Memorial Tree at Better Place Forests

Permanent Keepsakes

Aquamation FAQs

  • How is alkaline hydrolysis beneficial to the environment?

    • Aquamation uses 85-90% less energy than traditional cremation and produces less emissions than traditional cremation.
    •  Like traditional cremation, water cremation avoids the permanent occupation of land for cemeteries that could be used for wildlife habitat, growing food, or housing people.
    • Aquamation avoids the use of large amounts of natural resources like wood, metal, and concrete, all of which are used in traditional burials. Concrete production is one of our society’s greatest contributors to climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions, and its use in conventional burial practices also prevents our soils from absorbing water.

  • How much water does water cremation use?

    This process uses 300-400 gallons of water. This is approximately as much water as someone would use in five days.

  • What happens to the remaining water?

    After the water cremation process, the liquid is full of amino acids, nutrients, and soaps. The water is treated to balance the pH, discharged into the regular sewer system, and sent to a wastewater treatment plant.

  • Can you scatter remains from water cremation?

    Yes! Anything you can do with cremated remains, you can do with hydrolyzed remains!

Orange abstract maze-like pattern on a white background

Start planning now to create new life from loss.

It’s never too early to think about a meaningful goodbye and consider how pre-planning water cremation can take the burden off friends and family.

Pale orange wavy ribbon on a white background

LifeSource is an inclusive company that is here to serve everyone.

We do not discriminate against anybody based on their

race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Service Areas: Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties (we can be anywhere in California).