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Funeral-industry advocates urge council to allow alkaline hydrolysis for greener death care
Summary
Supporters of ZTA 2509 told the council alkaline hydrolysis ("water cremation") uses far less energy and produces no emissions compared with flame cremation; proponents said the technology fits existing funeral-home footprints and asked the council to adopt the zoning change.
At a public hearing, planning staff and funeral‑service advocates asked the county to amend zoning rules to allow alkaline hydrolysis as an option for funeral and interment services. Lily Berkel, cofounder of Willow Green Funerals, described the process as an alternative that uses "90% less energy" and produces no emissions, while returning remains to families in an urn similar to cremation.
"More times than I can remember, you get a call from a family who wants alkaline hydrolysis as an option and they had to go elsewhere to get it," Berkel said, asking the council to accept ZTA 2509 so residents can access the option locally. The planning board representative said staff support the zoning text amendment and a climate assessment found a likely net positive environmental outcome if the method is available for families. The council closed the public hearing and scheduled committee follow-up.
