Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest moments a family can face. Our friend and neighbor, John Moody understands the profound bond between pets and their families, and we know firsthand that he offers an empathetic, gentle, respectful, and eco-conscious alternative to traditional cremation. He honored our pet’s memory while providing a sense of peace and care during an unimaginably difficult time. He sat down with us to tell us more about his sustainable services.
Your experience and history is extensive. How has this background influenced your approach to pet aftercare through aquamation?
With 15 years as a licensed mortician and funeral home manager, I’ve dedicated my career to guiding families through one of life’s most difficult moments—saying goodbye to a loved one. During this time, I’ve witnessed firsthand how meaningful it is for families to have a farewell that brings comfort and closure.
My transition into pet aftercare wasn’t just a career shift—it was a natural extension of my calling. I recognized that the same level of respect, empathy, and professionalism offered in human funeral services was often missing in pet aftercare, where the process can feel impersonal and industrial. Pets are family, and their passing deserves the same thoughtful care and attention.
Aquamation stood out to me because it aligns with my values of providing a more natural, respectful process while also reducing environmental impact. I wanted to offer pet parents a service that not only honored their bond but also reflected a more thoughtful approach—one that is as kind to the planet as it is to the pets we cherish.
Aquamation is still a relatively new concept. What inspired you to choose this eco-friendly method for your business, Water Bridge Aquamation?
Throughout my career in funeral service, I’ve always sought ways to provide families with options that align with their values—whether that’s a more personalized farewell, a gentler process, or an environmentally conscious choice. Unlike traditional flame cremation, which relies on intense heat and releases carbon emissions, aquamation mirrors the way nature returns a body to the earth using water.
Beyond the environmental benefits, I saw a need for a more transparent and compassionate aftercare option for pet parents. Many people consider their pets to be family, yet the standard options for pet aftercare—fire cremation and burial—can feel harsh or limited. Aquamation provides a holistic, more organic alternative that allows families to honor their pets in a way that feels peaceful and meaningful.
I founded Water Bridge Aquamation because I believe pet parents deserve a choice—one that not only reflects their love for their animals but also their care for the planet.
One of the standout benefits of aquamation is its environmental im-pact. Can you elaborate on how this method contributes to sustainability?
Aquamation is one of the most sustainable aftercare options available today, especially when compared to traditional flame cremation. According to the Cremation Association of North
America (CANA), a single fire cremation burns enough natural gas to power a vehicle for up to 600 miles—that’s like driving from Denver to Kansas City. This level of fossil fuel consumption releases significant carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
In contrast, aquamation has a carbon footprint that is just one-tenth of traditional cremation. It does not rely on the burning of fossil fuels, meaning there is no fire, no smoke, and no emissions released into the air. This allows us to operate out of a 104-year-old home on South Broadway in Denver.
Beyond reducing emissions, aqua-mation is also water-efficient. The process uses less water than a single household would in a day, and the resulting nutrient-rich solution is collected as an all-natural fertilizer. We call this Earth Glow, which is registered with Colorado’s Department of Agriculture. It provides families with a unique way to honor their pet’s memory by nurturing new life. Families can choose to take Earth Glow home as a keepsake to enrich their gardens, or we donate it back to local farmers.
What feedback have you received from pet owners who have chosen aquamation for their beloved companions?
The feedback from pet owners who have chosen aquamation has been overwhelmingly positive, especially when compared to their past experiences with traditional pet cremation handled through a veterinary office. Many families have shared that, in the past, they felt disconnected from the process—dropping off their beloved pet at the vet’s office and then waiting, often with little to no communication, for their remains to be returned. They didn’t know where their pet was taken, who was handling them, or what the cremation process truly entailed.
In contrast, families who choose Water Bridge Aquamation deeply appreciate the transparency we provide. They take comfort in knowing exactly where their pet is being cared for, seeing our facility, and even viewing the aquamation unit itself. This reassurance, combined with our
commitment to clear and consistent communication, helps ease the uncertainty during an already difficult time. Families receive updates throughout the process, giving them peace of mind that their pet is being treated with dignity and respect every step of the way.
Many have also expressed gratitude for the gentle and eco-friendly nature of aquamation, sharing that it feels like a more fitting way to say goodbye. Instead of a process that feels industrial or hidden behind closed doors, aquamation provides a more personal and meaningful farewell—one that aligns with their love for their pet and their values.
The aquamation process is described as mirroring nature’s own decomposition. Can you explain how this resonates with your personal values of caring for animals and the environment?
The natural world has always been the best guide for sustainability, and aquamation aligns perfectly with that philosophy. This resonates deeply with my values, both as someone who has dedicated my career to aftercare and as someone who cares about the health of our planet.
As we’ve seen our climate and environment degrade rapidly over the past decade, I feel a responsibility—not just as a human, but as a business owner—to do my part in protecting the earth’s well-being. Traditional fire cremation contributes to carbon emissions and air pollution, while aquamation offers a clean, sustainable alternative that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels or release harmful gases into the atmosphere.
By choosing aquamation, families are not only honoring their pet in a kinder way but also making an environmentally conscious choice that helps reduce our collective footprint. My goal is to provide a service that reflects both compassion and responsibility—one that respects the deep bond we share with animals while also caring for the planet they call home.
Many people find comfort in tangible keepsakes. How does aquamation provide meaningful ways for families to remember and honor their pets?
Aquamation offers families several ways to honor their pets with personalized keepsakes. We recognize the importance of having a lasting memento to remember a beloved companion.
Each family is provided with either a biodegradable or bamboo urn for their loved one’s remains.We also offer clay paw impressions, ink nose prints, and fur clippings as keepsakes. For exotic pets, we can create custom clay impressions as well. In partnership with a local glass studio, we offer custom-blown glass orbs and hearts, each containing a small portion of the pet’s remains. These keepsakes provide families with a meaningful way to preserve their pet’s memory and keep them close in a respectful, lasting way.
Looking ahead, how do you see the role of aquamation evolving in pet aftercare, and what’s your vision for the future of Water Bridge Aquamation?
Looking ahead, I see aquamation playing a much larger role in the future of pet aftercare as more families become aware of its environmental benefits and compassionate nature. As sustainability becomes an increasingly important consideration for many people, I believe aquamation will become the preferred choice for those seeking a gentle and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fire cremation.
At Water Bridge Aquamation, our vision is to continue growing as a trusted aftercare provider for families in the Denver Metro area while expanding awareness of aquamation as an option. We aim to provide pet owners with the best experience possible—one that blends transparency, personalization, and respect.
Ultimately, our goal is to become a leader in sustainable pet aftercare, offering a thoughtful, responsible choice that reflects the values of both the families we serve and the planet we all share. As aquamation continues to gain popularity, we hope to contribute to a shift in how we approach pet aftercare—one that prioritizes kindness, sustainability, and lasting memories.
To learn more about Water Bridge Aquamation, visit waterbridgeaquamation.com.