1Preparation
Your loved one is placed with care into a stainless-steel vessel, treated with the same dignity as in any funeral.
Services → Water cremation
Gentle · Done locally in ProserpineWater cremation in Queensland: Mackay & the Whitsundays
Mackay Gentle Way Funerals arranges water cremation for families across Mackay and the Whitsundays. The water cremation is carried out locally at our Proserpine facility, and ashes are usually returned within 24 hours. A direct water cremation with no service is $2,640 inc GST. A full funeral followed by water cremation is $5,500 inc GST. The only possible extra is a $400 + GST after-hours transfer fee. Payment plans available (interest applies), ask us for details. You can also pre-pay a direct cremation at today’s price. Call (07) 4881 0491, any time.
We’re Mackay Gentle Way Funerals, an independent, locally owned funeral home in Mackay and Proserpine.
Done locally
Water cremation in Mackay, done locally in Proserpine
Water cremation is a gentle, water-based alternative to flame cremation. It uses warm water and a mild alkaline solution instead of fire to return the body to its natural elements. Read how water cremation works.
Every cremation we arrange is a water cremation. It is carried out locally at our Proserpine facility, and your loved one’s ashes are usually returned within 24 hours, in an urn of your choosing.
Queensland
Water cremation in Queensland, close to home
Water cremation is available and lawful in Queensland. For families in Mackay, Sarina, the Whitsundays, Bowen and Airlie Beach, ours is carried out locally at our Proserpine facility, so your loved one stays in the region, in the care of our local team. We arrange every permit needed, including the $75 doctor’s cremation permit, and the ashes are usually returned within 24 hours.
Whatever you choose, we’ll give you a full, itemised quote with no obligation. Our phone is answered 24/7 by our local team, you’re welcome to walk in to our Mackay funeral home on Evans Avenue, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and a pre-planning chat is always free.
Transparent pricing
How much does water cremation cost in Mackay?
A direct water cremation costs $2,640 inc GST, including the $75 doctor’s cremation permit. A funeral service followed by water cremation costs $5,500 inc GST. Every water cremation is carried out locally in Proserpine, and the ashes are usually back with you within 24 hours.
Direct water cremation: $2,640 inc GST
Our Simple Farewell, with no service. It includes transfer into our care (business hours), all documentation and permits (including the $75 doctor’s cremation permit), the water cremation, an official death certificate and the ashes returned in an urn.
Funeral service with water cremation: $5,500 inc GST
Every item in our Gentle Funeral Service with water cremation. Item prices are shown excluding GST.
| Service | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Gentle Way Process | $860.00 |
| Professional Service Fee | $1,630.00 |
| Transfer into Our Care (Business Hours) | Included |
| Respectful Mortuary Care | $550.00 |
| Viewing | Included |
| Death Certificate | $75.00 |
| Printed Service Booklets (40) | $90.00 |
| Music | Included |
| Video Tribute | $380.00 |
| Celebrant | $400.00 |
| Gentle Way Casket | $480.00 |
| Casket Flowers | $380.00 |
| Signing Book | $80.00 |
| Doctors Cremation Permit | $75.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $5,000.00 |
| GST | $500.00 |
| Total inc GST | $5,500.00 |
Item prices exclude GST. The $5,500 total includes GST.
The only extra: after-hours transfer, $400 + GST
There are no hidden extras. The only surcharge is $400 + GST if your loved one comes into our care outside business hours. Third-party costs may vary, and we will always give you a full, itemised quote with no obligation.
Payment plans and pre-paying
Payment plans available (interest applies), ask us for details. You can also pre-pay a direct cremation at today’s price. See funeral pre-planning and pre-paid funerals, or our full price list.
Why families choose it
The gentle choice — for them and the earth
Kinder to the earth
Uses far less energy than flame cremation and has no direct air emissions.
Gentle & natural
A soft, water-based process that many families feel is the most peaceful way to say goodbye.
Ashes returned to you
Usually within 24 hours, your loved one’s ashes are returned in an urn of your choosing.
Affordable & clear
Simple Farewell (no service) from $2,640 inc GST, or a full service with water cremation for $5,500 inc GST, fully itemised and with no pressure.
Flame and water cremation: energy and emissions
Drag the handle (or focus it and use the arrow keys) to compare the two processes. Both are respectful choices; this simply shows how they differ.
Flame cremation
≈ 720 kWh*energy per cremation (approx.)
≈ 181 kgCO₂-equivalent, gas-fired cremator
Water cremation
≈ 90 kWhelectricity per cremation
≈ 118 kgCO₂-equivalent (full life cycle)
Figures are approximate and vary by equipment, energy source and study. Energy: about 90 kWh for water cremation, roughly one-eighth the energy of flame cremation (Rothstein 2013, quoted in Kelly, “Dying to Go Green”, Religions 12(2):97, 2021). *The flame figure (≈720 kWh) is calculated from that one-eighth ratio, not measured directly. CO₂-eq: life-cycle assessment for DELA by Hedgehog Company (gas cremation 181 kg; water cremation 118 kg; electric cremators can be lower, about 45 kg). See also TNO. These are European studies; results in Queensland depend on the local electricity mix.
Water cremation
How Water Cremation Works
Water cremation, also called alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle, water-based alternative to flame cremation.
Scroll to follow each step ↓
1
2Natural Process
The vessel fills with a gentle solution of about 95% water and 5% alkali, which is gently warmed. The vessel softly rocks to circulate the water.
3Tissue Dissolution
Over several hours, the water and alkali break the body down to its basic elements, much as nature does over a far longer time.
4Bone Drying
The water is drained away. Only the bones remain, and they are rinsed clean and carefully dried.
5Water Filtration
The remaining water, now a sterile mix of salts, sugars and amino acids, is treated and returned to the water cycle.
6Final Product
The dried bone is reduced to a soft, fine white ash, usually a little more than with flame cremation.
7Return to Family
The ashes are placed in an urn of your choosing and returned to your family, ready for scattering, keeping or burial.
- Lower environmental impact
- A natural process
- A respectful choice
- A cleaner tomorrow
Have questions? We're here to help.
Talk to us about water cremation · (07) 4881 0491
What's included
Our water cremation care
- ✓Transfer into our care (business hours; after hours $400 + GST)
- ✓All documentation, permits and certificates
- ✓The water cremation itself
- ✓Return of ashes in a dignified urn
- ✓Guidance and support throughout
- ✓The option to add a memorial service later
How it works
Simple, from first call to ashes returned
1
Call us any time
We bring your loved one into our care, gently and respectfully.
2
We handle the paperwork
All permits and certificates are arranged for you.
3
The water cremation
Carried out locally in Proserpine, with the utmost care and dignity.
4
Ashes returned to you
Usually within 24 hours, in your chosen urn, ready for a memorial whenever you wish.
Saying goodbye
You can still have a funeral or memorial
Yes. You can hold a viewing and a funeral service before the water cremation, or a memorial service later, with the ashes present if you wish. Our celebrants can help you shape the service.
Urns and ashes
Choosing an urn
Ashes can be kept at home, scattered somewhere meaningful, buried in a family plot or placed in a council columbarium wall. See our urns →
Your local team
Who will look after you
You’ll speak with Nathan Boyle, our lead funeral director, or a member of our local team. Mackay Gentle Way Funerals is locally owned, with offices in Mackay and Proserpine, and a real person answers the phone 24/7 on (07) 4881 0491.
5-star Google rating.
Common questions
Water cremation in Mackay and Queensland: frequently asked questions
How much does water cremation cost in Mackay?
A direct water cremation with no service is $2,640 inc GST. A funeral service followed by water cremation is $5,500 inc GST. The only extra is a $400 + GST after-hours transfer fee, if it applies.
Where is the water cremation carried out?
Locally, at our Proserpine facility. Your loved one stays in the region, in the care of our local team.
How soon are the ashes returned?
Usually within 24 hours of the water cremation. We’ll call you as soon as they’re ready to collect, or arrange delivery.
Can we pay it off or pay ahead?
Yes. Payment plans available (interest applies), ask us for details. A direct cremation can also be pre-paid at today’s price. Read about pre-paid funerals.
Do you offer flame cremation?
No. Every cremation we arrange is a water cremation.
Is water cremation legal in Queensland?
Yes. Water cremation is available and lawful in Queensland, and we arrange every permit needed. Read more in our guide: is water cremation legal in Queensland?
Can we still have a viewing or service?
Yes. A viewing is included in our Gentle Funeral Service, and you can hold a funeral service before the water cremation, or a memorial later.
Where in Queensland do you offer water cremation?
We care for families across Mackay, Sarina, the Whitsundays, Bowen and Airlie Beach, including the Whitsunday islands. Every water cremation is carried out locally at our Proserpine facility, and there is no travel surcharge anywhere in the Whitsunday region.
Can we scatter the ashes after a water cremation?
Yes. The ashes are returned to you in an urn and can be kept at home, scattered somewhere meaningful, buried in a family plot or placed in a council columbarium wall. Mackay families often choose the Bluewater Quay, Town Beach or the Pioneer River, and we arrange scattering at sea from Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour.
Are you part of The Gentle Way in Townsville or Brisbane?
No. We’re not part of The Gentle Way water cremation provider in Townsville or Brisbane. Mackay Gentle Way Funerals is a separate, locally owned business caring for families across Mackay and the Whitsundays, and every water cremation we arrange is carried out in Proserpine.
Can we talk it through or get a quote first?
Of course. We’ll give you a full, itemised quote with no obligation, and a pre-planning chat is free. Call any hour on (07) 4881 0491, or walk in to our Evans Avenue office in North Mackay, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
See also cremation options in Mackay, funeral services in Mackay, funerals in the Whitsundays, funeral pre-planning and our full price list.
Talk to us about water cremation
Simple Farewell from $2,640 inc GST · full service $5,500 inc GST. We'll answer every question, gently and without obligation.