FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Aquamation is water-based cremation. It is a method of final disposition that utilizes a combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity to break down organic material. The scientific name for this water-based process is alkaline hydrolysis and it is growing in popularity as it is a simple, gentle, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to flame cremation.

The technology has been in use by universities and the scientific community for over 25 years. It has been used for the final disposition of human bodies donated to medical science since 1995 and by funeral homes since 2011.

When it’s time for the aquamation process to begin, the body is carefully placed in a stainless-steel vessel. Potassium hydroxide and water are added to the aquamation chamber and the machine is sealed and activated. The solution of 95% water and 5% alkali is heated to 200- 300°F and gently circulated for the entire length of the process.

At the end of the aquamation process, all soft tissue has been broken down, leaving behind bones and a sterile liquid. The effluent, or remaining liquid, is released for recycling at a local water treatment facility. When the operator opens the door, only the inorganic bone minerals remain. These minerals are processed into powder and returned to the family in an urn. This final processing step is the same process that follows flame cremation.

No. Unlike flame-based cremation, the aquamation process does not use a box or a casket. Additionally, clothing is not typically used unless it is protein-based (silk, wool, or leather). Prior to aquamation, our experienced team carefully places the body in a simple biodegradable cover that breaks down during the aquamation process.

The process takes approximately 5 hours, depending on the weight of the body and the operating temperature of the equipment.

Green burial, also known as natural burial, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial practices. It involves burying the body without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults. The body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud and interred in a way that allows it to decompose naturally and contribute to the surrounding ecosystem. Endswell’s green burial services are designed to minimize environmental impact and preserve natural landscapes.

The $3000 green burial service at Endswell covers all essentials needed for a natural burial. This includes the provision of a biodegradable casket or shroud, the burial plot within our sustainably managed green cemetery, and all necessary coordination and handling. Our price transparency guarantees that families receive comprehensive care without hidden costs.

Endswell is committed to environmental stewardship through practices that conserve natural resources and habitats. Our green burial options avoid polluting chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, helping to maintain the ecological balance of the burial site which is often designed to support native flora and fauna.

Choosing green burial services with Endswell offers significant environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon footprint and preserving natural landscapes. Our services also provide a meaningful and dignified way to say goodbye, with each aspect handled with care and respect, ensuring a process that is as stress-free as possible for the family.

Families can expect a respectful and unhurried process. From the initial planning stages to the burial, Endswell’s experienced team provides guidance and support, ensuring the burial respects both the environment and the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones.

Endswell rigorously adheres to all applicable legal and environmental regulations. We work closely with local authorities and environmental agencies to ensure our burial practices meet stringent standards, safeguarding both legal compliance and ecological integrity.

Green cremation, also known as low-emission cremation, is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. It utilizes advanced technology to reduce emissions and energy consumption during the cremation process. This method aligns with Endswell’s commitment to sustainable end-of-life care by minimizing the environmental impact.

Endswell’s green cremation service, priced at $3000, is all-inclusive. It covers the transfer of the deceased within the local area, the cremation process, all necessary legal paperwork, and the return of the ashes in an eco-friendly urn. This transparent pricing model ensures families understand all costs upfront without any surprises.

At Endswell, sustainability is a core value. Our green cremation services use state-of-the-art technology to significantly reduce the carbon footprint typically associated with traditional cremation methods. We also offer biodegradable urns and encourage the scattering of ashes in natural, meaningful locations as part of our commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Yes, personalization is a key aspect of Endswell’s services. Families can customize the memorial service with specific themes, choose from a range of eco-friendly urns, and decide on the final disposition of the ashes. Our concierge care team assists in creating a meaningful tribute that honors the life and values of the deceased.

Opting for green cremation services at Endswell offers benefits such as environmental responsibility, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive support through our concierge care. Our approach ensures a respectful, dignified handling of the cremation process, reflecting the preferences and values of the deceased and their families.

Dignity and respect are paramount at Endswell. We handle every aspect of the cremation process with professionalism and care, from the respectful transfer of the deceased to managing all details of the memorial service. Our trained staff are committed to providing a compassionate experience for each family.

Endswell rigorously adheres to all local and national regulations concerning green cremation. Our team manages all necessary documentation and permits, ensuring a smooth and compliant process. Families can have peace of mind knowing that all legal aspects are proficiently handled.

Families interested in green cremation services can begin by contacting Endswell via our website or phone. Our dedicated staff are available to provide detailed information, answer any questions, and help you plan a service that meets your needs and honors your loved one in an environmentally respectful way.

Green cremation is a better alternative for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It eliminates the need for embalming chemicals, reduces land use, and minimizes carbon emissions. It provides a sustainable choice that benefits the planet while still offering a respectful and dignified way to commemorate a loved one’s life.

Yes. In fact, the aquamation process produces 20-30% more ashes than standard flame-based cremation. At the end of the process, the inorganic remains of the body (the calcium phosphate of the bones) are processed into a powder for placement in an urn.

The aquamation process occurs at 200-300°F without any fire at all, and the water circulation in the system is similar to the flow of a creek or stream. It is very gentle to the final mineral remains, which allows more ash to be present at the end of the process.

Yes. Endswell includes a durable yet biodegradable urn with our aquamation service. You may also provide your own urn or you may select a hand-crafted urn from our urn gallery.

Yes, the ash remains are 100% sterile and safe to handle.

Some families choose to bury the urn in a cemetery, or permanently inter the urn in a columbarium. Additionally, there are memorial products that can be made with the ashes such as hand-blown glass memorials, ceramic art pieces, and more. Many families choose to scatter some or all the remains in a meaningful location.

Endswell seals the remains in a durable, eco-friendly urn. We then carefully wrap and package the urn and mail the package within one day of the aquamation process. For customers in the Triangle who shop at our urn gallery, we often hand-deliver the urn to your home, if requested.

After taking your loved one into our care, remains are typically returned in 1-3 business days. The turnaround time largely depends on the time required to obtain necessary paperwork. The aquamation process itself takes only 4-6 hours.

Ashes can be kept in decorative urns within the home, buried in a family plot or a dedicated urn garden at a cemetery, or placed in a columbarium niche. You can also choose to incorporate ashes into unique items such as jewelry, glass sculptures, or custom-made paintings, which can serve as personalized memorials of your loved one.

Scattering ashes is a popular choice and can be done in many meaningful locations such as over the ocean, in a forest, or in a scattering garden designed specifically for this purpose. It’s important to always check local regulations, as some areas require permits or have specific rules regarding ash scattering.

Traveling with ashes is permissible, but when flying, you must comply with airline policies and TSA regulations. The ashes should be placed in a container made of a material that can be x-rayed, such as wood or plastic. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends contacting the airline in advance to determine their specific policies on traveling with cremated remains. For further details, visit the TSA website.

Dividing ashes allows each family member to keep a portion as a personal memorial. This is often facilitated by transferring the ashes into smaller urns or keepsakes, allowing for varied memorialization according to individual preferences.

Innovative memorial options include converting ashes into memorial diamonds, incorporating them into vinyl records, or using them in tattoo ink. These options offer unique ways to commemorate loved ones in a manner that can be both meaningful and personal.

Using ashes to nourish the growth of a plant or tree can be a beautiful way to remember a loved one. However, because human ashes can be alkaline and salty, they may harm plant life if not handled correctly. To mitigate this, mix the ashes with a soil amendment or a specially designed product like a bio urn that helps neutralize the pH and enrich the soil, facilitating healthy plant growth.

This is a question for you and your family. A funeral service occurs with the body present and a memorial service occurs after the body has been aquamated, cremated, or buried. These are family decisions that are often influenced by religious beliefs, traditions, someone’s last wishes, as well as the loved ones who have cared for the deceased. We are here to answer any questions you have and connect you to the right resources for you and your family.

No. We are not a funeral home and are not licensed to perform funerals. We can connect you to local funeral homes, religious institutions, event spaces, life celebrants, and many other resources so you can plan a funeral service or memorial service, on your terms.

Of course! Many families choose to have a visitation for family and friends prior to the aquamation process. There are funeral professionals who can perform a visitation service with or without traditional embalming. Contact us to coordinate with a funeral home in your area. Additionally, the family may view the body in person at Endswell. While we do not provide funeral services at our location in Hillsborough, we do offer a final viewing before the aquamation process.

Absolutely. Many families choose to have a memorial service or celebration of life to honor the life of their loved one and gather with friends and family. This can occur before or after the aquamation process.

Choose what you want to happen to your body: aquamation, cremation, green burial, or burial with embalming. Notify your family of your choices as well as what actions to perform after your death. Select a funeral home that offers what you want. Consider a plan for a memorial service. Gather information for your obituary. Make a list of your bank accounts, bills, and any unfinished business.

Endswell is available at any time to answer questions and help you with advanced planning.

We encourage you to sit down with your loved one to talk through their final wishes. If you are making decisions for someone who can no longer decide for themselves, we suggest you contact their primary care doctor as well as an attorney. If you are interested in our simple aquamation service and wish to make that part of your arrangements, we can work with you and your family directly or work with a local funeral home of your choosing. Contact us to start a conversation.

Take a moment with your loved one to process what’s happened and gather with other relatives or close friends. If you have already chosen Endswell to provide aquamation, contact us as soon as you are able, and we will take care of everything from there. We will be in touch right away with our estimated time of arrival and what to expect in the coming hours and days.

If your loved one has passed in a hospital or hospice care facility, please let the institution know that you are working with Endswell and/or a local funeral home.

Like most funeral homes in the United States, Endswell works with local, reputable companies that specialize in transportation of the deceased. These companies have staff available 24/7 as well as the appropriate equipment necessary to transport the deceased. The typical arrival window is within 1-2 hours of your call, depending on traffic, the needs of the family, the location of your loved one or the release authorization requirements of a care facility.

Your loved one will be carefully transported directly to our aquamation facility in Hillsborough, NC. Their body will be held safely and treated with respect. Once the proper paperwork is filed, Endswell will notify the family and proceed with the aquamation process.

Call us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 919.907.9777. We are always here for you and your family.

If your loved one dies in a sudden accident or under suspicious circumstances, dial 911 right away.

If your loved one dies in hospice at home, it is not an emergency. You do not need to call 911 in this scenario. Your family is free to decide if you want to call Endswell or another funeral home right away or spend some time at home with your loved one before the body is removed.

Social Security is automatically alerted once a death certificate is filed. To reach social security directly, you can call their national 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY equipment, you can call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

Only a physician, hospice team, or medical examiner can determine cause of death. Endswell does not determine or confirm cause of death.

It’s a legal document containing your loved one’s statistics, disposition, and final medical information. In addition, the death certificate is used to register the death with the state and in transactions requiring proof of death.

You are welcome to contact us by phone, in person or online. To start a conversation, complete our online form, call us at 919.907.9777 or email info@endswellcremation.com. We look forward to supporting you and your family.

We are headquartered in Hillsborough, NC and we serve all of central North Carolina, including Orange, Wake, Durham, Guilford, and Chatham Counties. Our aquamation service includes 50 miles of transportation. Please contact us to inquire about transportation greater than 50 miles from Endswell. We will find a simple and affordable way to accommodate your needs.

Endswell offers one simple aquamation service for $3,500 that includes transportation, aquamation, death certificates, and the return of remains in an eco-friendly urn. Please call or email to inquire about additional costs for transportation greater than 50 miles. You can reach us at 919.907.9777

Many do. At Endswell, there is no upselling, no hidden fees, and nothing unexpected. We do not pressure you with pre-need contracts. Endswell offers one simple arrangement; and we take care of every part of the process.

In many ways, aquamation is closely tied to the green burial movement. Both methods of final disposition represent a departure from modern burial practices that are often elaborate, expensive, and bad for the environment. Aquamation and green burial are both simple, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional burial with embalming. Endswell is also happy to recommend local green burial providers.

Endswell is locally owned, and we are available 24/7 if you need immediate assistance. For general inquiries, pre-planning, or questions about the Urn Gallery, please call or email to schedule an appointment.

If a death is imminent or has already occurred and you need our services immediately, please call us any time to make arrangements at 919.907.9777