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Douch Family Funeral Directors has revealed it would welcome the legalisation of water cremation in England, suggesting that alkaline hydrolysis could provide a greener alternative at Poole Crematorium and reduce vehicle journeys between sites.
It comes as traditional cremators were removed from Poole Crematorium six years ago and have not been replaced. While services still continue at the site, the deceased are currently transported to Bournemouth for cremation.
According to the managing director of the Dorset-based funeral provider, Nick Douch, the technology could offer families more choice.
The method, which uses water, heat and alkaline chemicals to break down the body, leaves bone fragments that are returned to families in an urn.
Water cremation was recently made legal in Scotland and is used in the United States and Ireland. Douch said the equipment requires less space and produces fewer emissions.
Poole Crematorium is used by families across Dorset, including Dorchester and the Isle of Purbeck. BCP Council currently oversees the site.
Douch Family Funeral Directors has branches in locations including Wimborne, Wareham and Ferndown.
Nick Douch said: “Many families would prefer everything to happen in one place, rather than their loved one being moved elsewhere. It also means additional vehicle journeys between Poole and Bournemouth. At a time when the BCP Council is rightly focused on environmental issues, it would make sense to look at alternatives that reduce emissions.
“If the site were able to offer resomation it would help take the pressure off Bournemouth and give families a choice alongside burial and cremation. With the method being legalised in Scotland, we hope it now becomes legal in England and Wales and would support a campaign to make it so.”
