Could this year be the year that ‘water cremation’ becomes legal in Texas? 

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the bill number, SB105

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One universal experience every person on this planet will experience is death. So what do you want to happen to your body after you die?

If your response is cremation, you are not alone. In recent years, cremation has become the most common method of post-mortem body disposition, growing from around 34% in 2006 to 57.5% of the roughly 3.4 million Americans who died in 2021, according to the Cremation Association of North America.

There are two types of cremation offered in the U.S. The more common method is flame-based, in which a body is placed into an extremely hot chamber and, after around two hours, will turn into ash and mineral fragments. Then there is alkaline hydrolysis or “water cremation,” which uses hot water, alkaline chemicals and pressure to break a body down in four to five hours. 

The Cremation Association of North America said the latter is gentler, more environmentally friendly and yields more remains compared to flame-based cremation. Despite its favorable reputation to some, water cremation is illegal in over 20 states, including Texas. SB105, filed by State Sen. Nathan Johnson, is hoping to change that. 

Eric Neuhaus, the founder of Green Cremation Texas, offers flame-based and water cremations. Because of Texas law, his company must fly a body out of state for it to have the alkaline hydrolysis treatment. Neuhaus said, taking into account the carbon emissions to fly a body from Texas to Missouri — where it is legal — and back, water cremation is still more environmentally friendly than flame-based cremation.

He thinks the laws in Texas should be changed to allow people post-mortem to be cremated by alkaline hydrolysis. 

“I frankly find it embarrassing that Texas is so far behind with this,” Neuhaus said. “I think that it is important for every single Texan – no matter race, religion or creed – to be able to have the option to choose this.”

Previous Texas bills on water cremation

SB105 is not the first bill of its kind aimed at allowing water cremation to be utilized in the state. In the past five years, there have been several bills drafted in previous legislative sessions with similar goals. 

“As more momentum builds behind [the bill], those kinds of obstructions get moved out of the way. Why any group of people should be able to have such influence, not only over life but over death, should be able to affect the desire of how I want my body to be disposed of is beyond me,” Johnson said. 

One organization that does not think alkaline hydrolysis should be legal in the state is the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

“We will continue to oppose these bills,” said Jennifer Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. “Alkaline hydrolysis fails to treat the body with dignity and respect,” she told KXAN.

Neuhaus said he respects the position of the organization, but “if they personally don’t like it, or they feel like water cremation is disrespectful to the body, then they are under no obligation to choose alkaline hydrolysis. But it’s important for me — it’s very important for me — for families to at least have that option and exercise their rights to freedom when it comes to body disposition.”

Allmon said her organization also opposes water cremation because the water may be dumped in sewers following the cremation.

In response, Neuhaus said the wastewater or effluent discharged from alkaline hydrolysis is beneficial to sewage systems. 

“In the states where alkaline hydrolysis is legal, the local water authorities have been on record that the microbiological organisms in the effluent are tremendously helpful to the system and they welcome it.”

Johnson said he feels his water cremation bill has a good chance of passing this session. He said it often takes three to four sessions before something introduced passes and becomes law. 

“It’s frankly offensive that any group of people would venture so far into the private decisions of others,” Johnson said. “I think perhaps this is the session we move it through.” 

 

More than half of the country’s residents are choosing cremations over traditional casket burials, according to a 2020 report. (Credit: WEHT)
More than half of the country’s residents are choosing cremations over traditional casket burials, according to a 2020 report. (Credit: WEHT)

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the bill number, SB105

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One universal experience every person on this planet will experience is death. So what do you want to happen to your body after you die?

If your response is cremation, you are not alone. In recent years, cremation has become the most common method of post-mortem body disposition, growing from around 34% in 2006 to 57.5% of the roughly 3.4 million Americans who died in 2021, according to the Cremation Association of North America.

There are two types of cremation offered in the U.S. The more common method is flame-based, in which a body is placed into an extremely hot chamber and, after around two hours, will turn into ash and mineral fragments. Then there is alkaline hydrolysis or “water cremation,” which uses hot water, alkaline chemicals and pressure to break a body down in four to five hours. 

The Cremation Association of North America said the latter is gentler, more environmentally friendly and yields more remains compared to flame-based cremation. Despite its favorable reputation to some, water cremation is il legal in over 20 states, including Texas. SB105, filed by State Sen. Nathan Johnson, is hoping to change that. 

Eric Neuhaus, the founder of Green Cremation Texas, offers flame-based and water cremations. Because of Texas law, his company must fly a body out of state for it to have the alkaline hydrolysis treatment. Neuhaus said, taking into account the carbon emissions to fly a body from Texas to Missouri — where it is legal — and back, water cremation is still more environmentally friendly than flame-based cremation.

He thinks the laws in Texas should be changed to allow people post-mortem to be cremated by alkaline hydrolysis. 

“I frankly find it embarrassing that Texas is so far behind with this,” Neuhaus said. “I think that it is important for every single Texan – no matter race, religion or creed – to be able to have the option to choose this.”

Previous Texas bills on water cremation

SB105 is not the first bill of its kind aimed at allowing water cremation to be utilized in the state. In the past five years, there have been several bills drafted in previous legislative sessions with similar goals. 

“As more momentum builds behind [the bill], those kinds of obstructions get moved out of the way. Why any group of people should be able to have such influence, not only over life but over death, should be able to affect the desire of how I want my body to be disposed of is beyond me,” Johnson said. 

One organization that does not think alkaline hydrolysis should be legal in the state is the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

“We will continue to oppose these bills,” said Jennifer Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. “Alkaline hydrolysis fails to treat the body with dignity and respect,” she told KXAN.

Neuhaus said he respects the position of the organization, but “if they personally don’t like it, or they feel like water cremation is disrespectful to the body, then they are under no obligation to choose alkaline hydrolysis. But it’s important for me — it’s very important for me — for families to at least have that option and exercise their rights to freedom when it comes to body disposition.”

Allmon said her organization also opposes water cremation because the water may be dumped in sewers following the cremation.

In response, Neuhaus said the wastewater or effluent discharged from alkaline hydrolysis is beneficial to sewage systems. 

“In the states where alkaline hydrolysis is legal, the local water authorities have been on record that the microbiological organisms in the effluent are tremendously helpful to the system and they welcome it.”

Johnson said he feels his water cremation bill has a good chance of passing this session. He said it often takes three to four sessions before something introduced passes and becomes law. 

“It’s frankly offensive that any group of people would venture so far into the private decisions of others,” Johnson said. “I think perhaps this is the session we move it through.” 

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Top multipurpose products from the BestReviews testing …

/ 2 hours ago

We’ve tested various multiuse products for your kitchen and home to find those that stick out as the best.


Best duck boots for men

/ 4 hours ago

The best duck boots for men keep your feet dry in wet weather and have added traction for slippery surfaces.


‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ inspires new Disneyland …

/ 5 hours ago

James Cameron’s “Avatar” is driving the creation of an Avatar experience at Disneyland in California, as well as merchandise inspired by the film.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


Roof of SE Austin home partially collapses in fire


TX researchers make e-tattoos to show stress levels


Why Alzheimer’s is more prominent in Hispanic adults


Difference between street racing and takeovers


Allegiant to introduce new route from AUS this June


Top Stories


More Stories


Roof of SE Austin home partially collapses in fire


TX researchers make e-tattoos to show stress levels


Why Alzheimer’s is more prominent in Hispanic adults


Difference between street racing and takeovers


Allegiant to introduce new route from AUS this June


TCSO looking for tips after homicide on US 183


5 shot along Mardi Gras parade route


Ice storm debris cleanup could last through April


More Stories

Austin-Travis County


Roof of SE Austin home partially collapses in fire

/ 22 mins ago


TX researchers make e-tattoos to show stress levels

/ 54 mins ago


Why Alzheimer’s is more prominent in Hispanic adults

/ 1 hour ago


Difference between street racing and takeovers

/ 5 mins ago


Allegiant to introduce new route from AUS this June

/ 2 hours ago


TCSO looking for tips after homicide on US 183

/ 1 hour ago


Ice storm debris cleanup could last through April

/ 4 hours ago


Hospital gets equipment that can provide hope

/ 22 mins ago


Cardiac arrest survivor becomes CPR certified

/ 6 hours ago


Closures for Presidents Day in ATX area

/ 4 hours ago


Springtime warmth through midweek

/ 5 hours ago


Report: Four Seasons Lake Austin project to cost …

/ 18 hours ago


Report: Most low-income families live along I-35

/ 20 hours ago


Bad inning leads to big loss for UT baseball

/ 21 hours ago


UT softball goes 5-0 in Texas Classic

/ 22 hours ago


Super Bowl ASL signer once trained in Austin

/ 4 hours ago


Winners of the 2023 Austin Marathon, Half Marathon

/ 5 hours ago


The latest on Waller Creek Boathouse relocation

/ 1 day ago


TX special education org. condemns Abbott’s address

/ 1 day ago


Austin library system named one of Texas’ best

/ 1 day ago

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8406748" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list5" data-anvato-params=""ns":"id":"8406748","title":"Roof of southeast Austin home partially collapses in fire","link":"https://www.kxan.com/video/roof-of-southeast-austin-home-partially-collapses-in-fire/8406748/","thumbnail":"src":"https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc","orientation":"landscape","proportional_sources":"16:9":"srcset":"https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 160w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 256w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 320w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 640w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 960w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 1280w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 1920w, https://m104216-ucdn.mp.lura.live/iupl_lin/818/8BE/8188BE64AF32D78070A75EDC9C13DA51_160x90.jpg?Expires=2082758400&KeyName=mcpkey1&Signature=CwTu37kKwpd1_0Muc42yn-tjgoc 2560w","sizes":"(max-width: 899px) 100%, 300px","date":"time":"23 mins ago","datetime":"2023-02-20T12:55:31-06:00","lead_media":true,"media_type_icon":"name":"video","label":"Video","vilynx_id":"LIN_8406748","mcp":"LIN","width":"100%","height":"100%","video":"8406748","autoplay":false,"expect_preroll":true,"pInstance":"p48","plugins":"comscore":"clientId":"6036439","c3":"kxan.com","version":"5.2.0","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"c3":"kxan.com","ns_st_st":"kxan","ns_st_pu":"Nexstar","ns_st_ge":"News,Local,Austin,Video,Local News,Video","cs_ucfr":"","dfp":"adTagUrl":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=1×1000&iu=/5678/lin.kxan/news/texas_politics&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vmap&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&description_url=https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/could-this-year-be-the-year-that-water-cremation-becomes-legal-in-texas/&cust_params=vid%3D8406748%26cmsid%3D1652858%26pid%3D1652858%26pers_cid%3Dnxs-40-article-1652858%26vidcat%3D/news/texas_politics%26bob_ck%3D[bob_ck_val]%26d_code%3D1%26pagetype%3Dstory%26hlmeta%3Dcould%20this%20year%20be%20the%20year%20that%20water%20cremation%20becomes%20legal%20in%20texas%26aa%3Df","nielsen":"apid":"P74D95DB2-9ACC-40E2-B3B5-7B9C65C50126","sfcode":"dcr","type":"dcr","apn":"Anvato","environment":"production","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"adloadtype":2,"adModel":2,"segmentCustom":"script":"https://segment.psg.nexstardigital.net/anvato.js","writeKey":"8Jlo8JuUyENFG8nvLkq1NuyT2CHRyOp7","pluginsLoadingTimeout":12,"expectPrerollTimeout":8,"accessKey":"gq261XAmw8b5xi69ku8hYmO1kyPmMBzn","token":"eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ2aWQiOiI4NDA2NzQ4IiwiaXNzIjoiZ3EyNjFYQW13OGI1eGk2OWt1OGhZbU8xa3lQbU1Cem4iLCJleHAiOjE2NzY5MjQzMDB9.9iW9NZXbSp3CWbNm_mQyxTd9Jv56FI7A4PKkeAuF0Y8","nxs":"mp4Url":"https://tkx.mp.lura.live/rest/v2/mcp/video/8406748?anvack=bvJ0dQpmRLZx7cMPeiW9U27gVRARwpPL&token=%7E5iy5d5QDZUS%2BNSdUYlymVbloGseZvo70MQ%3D%3D","enableFloatingPlayer":true,"disableMutedAutoplay":false,"recommendations":false,"expectPreroll":false,"titleVisible":false,"pauseOnClick":true,"trackTimePeriod":60,"isPermutiveEnabled":true
// –>


Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area

/ 5 days ago


Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas

/ 5 days ago


Coronavirus Cases Tracker

Austin Weather

Current

81°

Fair

Tonight

62°

Mostly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

84°

Partly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


Homeowner faces fines after driver hits his house


APD: 2 arrested in ‘street takeovers’ Saturday


Why is ‘water cremation’ so controversial in Texas?


TCSO looking for tips after homicide on US 183


Allegiant to introduce new route from AUS this June

Don’t Miss


RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer pic of January


Can I burn my tree stumps, fallen branches post-storm?


TxDMV rejects vegan license plate for ‘vulgar’ phrase


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team