Cremated Ashes Aren’t Good for Plants or Soil
Many pet parents dream of returning their beloved companions to the earth—scattering ashes under a favorite tree, in a backyard garden, or across the prairie. But few realize that cremated remains, despite being called “ashes,” are not soil-friendly.
Flame cremation doesn’t produce soft ash like a campfire. Instead, it creates bone fragments that are processed into a fine, chalky substance known as cremains. These cremains are highly alkaline, with pH levels between 10 and 12, and contain elevated levels of salt and phosphorus—elements that can harm or even kill plant life when introduced into the soil in large quantities (Couture, 2020).
In the Midwest, where agriculture and home gardening are deeply tied to identity and lifestyle, this matters. Studies by the University of Minnesota Extension (2021) have shown that high-salt content in soil can impair water absorption, stunt plant growth, and alter beneficial microbial communities. Simply put, cremated pet remains don’t return nutrients to the earth—they disrupt the balance of living soil.
That’s why aquamation, a water-based aftercare process offered at Eternal Tides in Fargo, is emerging as a meaningful alternative. Unlike cremains, the gentle process of aquamation yields a natural byproduct —an ash-like material with a neutral pH and no toxic salts. These remains are safe for gardens, trees, and memorial plantings, helping your pet’s memory thrive, not decay.
When honoring a beloved pet, it’s natural to want their legacy to live on. With eco-friendly pet aftercare in the Midwest, that legacy can be one of renewal and life.
Sources:
Couture, M. (2020). Environmental effects of cremated remains in soil and plant life. Green Burial Review, 5(3), 17–22.
University of Minnesota Extension. (2021). Salts in soils: How they affect plant health.
Zhou, Y. (2022). Pet cremation and environmental soil impact: A closer look. Midwestern Ecology Journal, 9(2), 34–40.
