ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- 'Flushing Dad down the toilet?' That's how some describe the newest form of cremation soon to happen right here in the Bay Area.
The first funeral home in the world permitted to use the cutting-edge technique of "resomation" is Anderson-McQueen in St. Petersburg.
The makers of this technique say what is being flushed really isn't a person anymore, because they're using the initially hazardous compound potassium hydroxide. In the end, manufacturers say only a chemical mixture is left behind without any trace of human DNA.
Anderson-McQueen will start the cremations in early September, and when they do, the question is: is that how you want to go?
The BBC first talked with the Scottish company manufacturing the Resomator s750. Sandy Sullivan told the BBC the quick process involves placing a body inside "and then press[ing] a button to lock it, and press a button to go. It's as simple as that."
Sullivan demonstrated how a body is submerged in potassium hydroxide, pressurized to the level of 10 atmospheres, and baked at 356 degrees for three hours leaving only bones behind.
Then the liquid remains of your loved one go into the City of St. Petersburg's sewer system. Once the remains make it to the treatment plant, they're processed like any other waste water, ending up in the area's many bodies of water.
10News talked to two chemists from the University of South Florida about the potential dangers of this process. The two agreed that it's too early to tell what impact the waste may have on the environment or drinking water supplies.
The chemists also told 10News that St. Petersburg officials will have to closely monitor the pH level of the waste water because the product of this cremation process will be "highly basic," with a pH level of 8.0 or higher.
John McQueen, from Anderson-McQueen, says his funeral home spent 2 years getting permits from the State of Florida and the City of St. Petersburg to ensure there are no environmental hazards.
In fact, he believes this method is better for the environment than traditional cremation, "I believe it's completely safe for the community, and I believe it's completely safe for the environment," says McQueen. "So, I don't view it as flushing dad down the toilet, and I'm sure there may be those out there that have that feeling... Really what [the chemicals] do is accelerate the decomposition process."
Once the process is over, family members receive the crushed bones of their loved one much like in a traditional cremation.
John McQueen says he already has people interested in "resomation" from across the country. He expects more than 100 people to participate in the first year of operation.
Follow 10News Reporter Chase Cain on Twitter @chase_cain