WATER cremation “remains one of the options” for the future uses of two crematoria – Bradford Council has revealed.

Both Nab Wood and Scholemoor Crematoria are due to shut in the coming years – replaced with new, more modern crematoria being built in Heaton and Bierley.

The buildings that are home to the current crematoria are expected to remain – but their future use is uncertain, although the Council says it has “identified a number of possible suitable uses.”

In late 2020, members of Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee were told that one of the sites could be repurposed for resomation – a relatively recent process also known as “water cremation.”

Instead of using fire, water cremation combines a water and alkali-based solution to break down the body - and this method speeds up the natural process the body goes through at the end of life.

It leaves a liquid that contains no DNA, which has also been broken down, and bones, which are then reduced to ashes that the family can collect.

People who opt for resomation have a traditional funeral ceremony in the same way they would with flame cremation. The only difference comes at the point after the coffin is committed from view and the body is placed in a water cremator.

Resomation is seen as being the most environmentally friendly end of life option, leaving a carbon footprint over seven times smaller than flame cremation; and over three times smaller than burial.

There had been little in the way of an update on the proposals for a resomnation facility in Bradford since the 2020 meeting.

But earlier this week, national company Co-Op funeralcare announced that it would begin a pilot to look at introducing resomation as an option for its clients.

The Co-Op will begin regional pilots for the scheme later this year, although locations have not yet been announced. The intention to expand the service to all Co-op clients.

When asked if the authority was still considering water creamation as a future use for the Nab Wood or Scholemoor sites, a Bradford Council spokesman said: “We have identified a number of possible suitable uses for the buildings at Nab Wood and Scholemoor when they are no longer required.

“However, we have not yet had opportunity to carry out feasibility studies or develop business cases to bring forward a preferred option.

“The Bereavement Service continues to keep informed over the development of water cremation which remains one of the options to be considered.”