Approval of alkaline hydrolysis for humans

Alkaline hydrolysis has been officially authorised in Scotland since 2 March 2026. This is based on the Hydrolysis (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which were passed by the Scottish Parliament on 21 January 2026. This marks the first time since the introduction of cremation in 1902 that a new form of burial has been legally permitted – a historic step and the biggest change to Scottish funeral law in over 120 years.

Alkaline hydrolysis has been available to people in Ireland since 2023 – making it the first country in Europe to offer the service. However, this was not introduced through a typical legislative change, which is why the legal situation is somewhat more complicated. We would be happy to advise you.

​Back in 2020, the Dutch Health Council concluded that alkaline hydrolysis meets the requirements for safety, dignity and environmental sustainability and can therefore be approved as a new form of burial. In 2025, following a further review, the Health Council confirmed this assessment and recommended the approval of alkaline hydrolysis. 

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The legislative amendment is currently in progress. Approval of alkaline hydrolysis in the Netherlands is expected by the end of 2026 or 2027.

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We are already available to assist you with preparations and provide advice.

Norway modernised its funeral legislation in 2022, thereby taking an important step towards opening up the regulatory framework to new funeral technologies. As part of this reform, the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Children and Families were given the opportunity to apply for permits for innovative processes such as alkaline hydrolysis (resomation).

Together with the City of Zurich, we are currently planning a pilot project for the Lavation. 

We are currently working towards obtaining approval for Lavation in Singapore. However, it is not yet clear when approval will be granted.

In the United States, alkaline hydrolysis is already legally permitted and well established in over 26 states.

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Several other states are at various stages of the approval process.

Funeral law in Canada is regulated at provincial level. Currently, four out of thirteen provinces permit the use of alkaline hydrolysis.

As these provinces are concentrated in particularly densely populated regions, around two-thirds of the Canadian population (approximately 66%) have access to this form of burial.

Funeral law in Germany is a matter for the federal states. As a result, there are 16 different sets of funeral laws in Germany that need to be amended. 

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Schleswig-Holstein has taken the first step by introducing a clause to trial new types of funeral. The pilot project is set to begin later this year.

Funeral law in Germany is a matter for the federal states. As a result, there are 16 different sets of funeral laws in Germany that need to be amended. 

​

Schleswig-Holstein has taken the first step by introducing a clause to trial new types of funeral. The pilot project is set to begin later this year.

In recent years, New Zealand has modernised its regulatory framework to facilitate new, sustainable forms of burial. This has laid the groundwork for permitting alternative methods alongside traditional burial and cremation.

Alkaline hydrolysis is now permitted.

In Australia, alkaline hydrolysis for human remains is already legally permitted in some parts of the country.

Funeral and cremation laws in Australia are regulated at the level of individual states and territories. This results in a varied picture: in some regions, the process is already expressly permitted, whilst in others it has not yet been enshrined in law.

In South Africa, alkaline hydrolysis has, in principle, already been introduced in the human sector and is permitted in parts of the country; however, it is not yet fully regulated within a uniform, specific legal framework.