The New York Times, for all the flack it gets for its political stances, is still a newspaper that reports on what is happening in America.  When trends are mentioned in the New York Times, they tend to not stay trends much longer – and in many instances morph into the fabric of what is America.

So, on October 19, in the Business Day portion of the New York Times an article pertaining to the human body disposition method of alkaline hydrolysis was published.  I can remember back in the early 1980’s when I was a young funeral director who had about a 2% cremation rate in my community, the “Times” was publishing articles on the advent of cremation for human body disposition.  As you know, cremation is now the choice of a majority of Americans.

The question I now have is the New York Times on to a “trend” to come or just reporting on what will be a passing “fad” when it comes to reporting on the State of California recently becoming the 15th state to legalize the process of alkaline hydrolysis for human dispositions?

The article, which you can find here, talks about the process – which was actually patented in 1888 – and its advocates who have many positive things to say about it and what they believe consumers will say about it.  One funeral service provider, Jason Bradshaw in Minnesota, has been offering the process for about five years.  He comments in the article that two-thirds of the families that coming seeking cremation choose alkaline hydrolysis when offered the method.

Another proponent, Ryan Cattoni of Illinois, opened his firm, AquaGreen Dispositions in 2012.  He offers, according to the article,  his alkaline hydrolysis for about 60% of a direct cremation price rate of his rival firms.  Others also note that the environmental benefits of alkaline hydrolysis are significant.  Promoters say that the process yields about 1/10th of the carbon footprint of cremation at a fraction of the energy and releases no fumes.

Funeral Director Daily take:  I find the discussion and introduction of the alkaline hydrolysis disposition method somewhat fascinating as discussion over the future of the death care industry.  On the one hand, funeral customs have not changed overnight, but on the other hand, when you look at the popularity of cremation in the United States – the proliferation of its use has been phenomenal when you consider it has went from only 2 to 3%  use to over 50% in a generation.  A social more than moves and changes that fast is lightning quick.

The cremation phenomena happened, for the most part, without the use of social media.  If people embrace alkaline hydrolysis, how fast will this movement spread.  I’m guessing that it could well be within a decade when you look at the independence of the Baby Boomers who will be the ones who have first choice at this decision at their time of need or potential prearrangements.

Things in business happen fast today — it is not the slow, easy progression it was when I first started.  Capital decisions really have to be well researched or you could be putting good money out over obsolete products.  Business decision makers no longer have the luxury to “not get it right the first time”.  A “bad” decision today could virtually put you out of business.

Not so long ago we did an article on the idea that smaller mortuaries should invest in their own crematories in order to retain a higher percentage of their cremation revenue.  It just made sense. . . . as I look to the future however, for more du diligence,  I think it is imperative for all mortuaries thinking of investing in a crematory (or an additional crematory for a larger facility) to really look at the prospects for alkaline hydrolysis in their market and make sure you weigh that information in on your decision.

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