Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations

An aquamation facility in Pretoria, South Africa. The process replicates the natural process of decomposition that occurs after burial, but over a much shorter period of time. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise hydrolysis, an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial, reflecting increasing demand for more sustainable funeral arrangements.

Also known as water cremation or aquamation, the process is already available in many parts of the world, and regulations approved by the Scottish parliament on Monday mark the most significant change to funeral law since cremation was introduced in 1902.