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Although death is inevitable, many people find it difficult to talk about. Uncomfortable as it may be, it is crucial to share your funeral wishes with your loved ones. This includes conversations on whether you’d prefer a grave burial, cremation or Aquamation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water-based cremation).
AVBOB launched Aquamation in South Africa in 2019 and, at present, it is only available at AVBOB Funeral Service Maitland (Cape Town) and the AVBOB Funeral Preparation Centre in Pretoria West (Gauteng).
In January 2022, the AVBOB Maitland branch received international attention when it was widely reported that Archbishop Desmond Tutu had opted for this eco-friendly alternative for his send-off.
According to Adriaan Bester, General Manager: Corporate Affairs at AVBOB, Aquamation is set to change the funeral service landscape. He notes, “Considering that municipal cemeteries have been running out of burial space in many of the major metropolitan areas, it is evident that Aquamation is the way of the future and AVBOB is investing heavily into it, going forward.”
Understanding Aquamation
Aquamation is an eco-friendly, water-based cremation option with a decreased carbon footprint. It eliminates the direct emission of greenhouse gases or mercury into the environment, while ensuring an energy saving of 90% compared to flame-based cremation.
At the core of the process is water – a natural and essential part of life that makes up approximately 60% of our bodies. At the end of the process, a benign sterile liquid (containing NO trace of DNA and RNA) remains, which is recycled back into the municipal wastewater system. The process renders all chemicals safe upon its completion.
The body is respectfully laid out in a receptacle that is placed in a sterile, stainless-steel chamber. A combination of moderate temperature water, alkalinity (not acid), and gentle water flow breaks down the soft tissue of the body to its basic building blocks. The alkali used in this case is potassium hydroxide salts.
The bones (calcium) remain, which are powdered and presented to the family in an urn in the same manner as with flame-based cremation. Families receive 20-30% more ashes with Aquamation and can keep or scatter the ashes as per the deceased’s wishes.
The provision of a dignified send-off for loved ones has been part of AVBOB’s DNA for 105 years, and it is central to the introduction of this innovation to South Africa.
ABOUT AVBOB MUTUAL SOCIETY
AVBOB turned 105 years old in August 2023. The AVBOB Group comprises AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society, which provides insurance products, and two subsidiaries – AVBOB Funeral Service and AVBOB Industries, which manufactures our coffins and funeral ware. Being a mutual means that AVBOB has no external shareholders but instead has members who receive a share of AVBOB’s surplus profits. Our members are our policyholders – the AVBOB family. The foundation of our mutuality is to create and share mutual value with our family and be here for all South Africans. Our mutual status drives our ethos, purpose and competitive differentiation – it is the core of our existence.
For more information, visit www.avbob.co.za or call 0861 28 26 21*.
*Standard call rates apply.
AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society is a licensed life insurer and authorised Financial Services Provider. FSP 20656. AVBOB is a level 2 B-BBEE contributor.