Mackay is set to introduce ‘The Gentle Way’, a revolutionised end-of-life process with an effective, environmentally friendly approach to handling human remains.
Inspired by a desire to provide a gentler alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods, CEOs and Founders of Whitsunday Funerals, Jeff and Judy Boyle explored the American Alkaline Hydrolysis system. Despite its potential, they recognised its shortcomings, including harsh effects on the body and significant water wastage.
Drawing inspiration from the natural breakdown of bodies in the ground, their new system, The Gentle Way mimics this process by placing the body in a stainless-steel chamber, adding water, and raising the alkalinity using potassium hydroxide (lye).
The water then sways over the body for a period of 4 to 6 hours so that the water gently circulates around the body, breaking it down. Once complete the family receive the remains back, the same as you would with cremated ‘ashes’, along with a desert rose to signify new life.
After this, it goes into a membrane filter straight after the body tank which ensures that the sand, bones and leftover remains are collected. The water is then transferred into what they call the holding tank, where the water goes through a state-of-the-art specialised filtration system. This results in crystal clean coming out again with no connection to town water or sewage systems.
This revolutionary new system creates a completely harmless, encapsulated process where the water continues to be recycled.
The benefits of The Gentle Way extend beyond its gentle treatment of remains.
Unlike cremation, which emits pollutants and consumes significant energy, The Gentle Way produces no odour, fumes, or pollution and is carbon neutral.
During cremation, if a loved one has a pacemaker, usually they would have to cut it out, however, with The Gentle Way, the pacemaker is left in because the process is so gentle that it will still be intact and functional when the machine is finished.
Hip joints, knee joints, breast implants or even missed jewellery on a loved one can be found at the bottom, crystal clean and polished like new.
“This is a game changer for the funeral industry,” Jeff remarked.
The origin of The Gentle Way traces back to a memorable interaction with a client who expressed dissatisfaction with traditional burial and cremation options. This conversation spurred Judy and Jeff to seek a better alternative, leading to the development of The Gentle Way, a solution that honours individuals' final wishes while offering a more gentle, environmentally friendly approach to end-of-life care.
“The great thing is, it’s employing people, it’s good for the environment, it brings the prices down for funerals and it’s a win win for everybody,” Jeff said.
Regarding cost, a direct Gentle Way process is said to be less than half the price of other Funeral Homes in Mackay. The Gentle Way now offers an affordable option for the families of passed loved ones.
“The worst thing in the world is when you lose a loved one and you can’t afford a funeral,”
“We make it affordable and it’s 100% environmentally friendly.”
Over the past nine years, multiple tests have been conducted to ensure The Gentle Way body vessel is capable, efficient and most importantly, gentle.
Townsville Funerals was the first to receive a commercial unit which has been in use for the last four months, with a demand for more proving this method to be highly desired and affordable.
The Gentle Way has recently introduced this facility to Mackay, with the official opening on Monday the 22nd of April.
CEO’s and Founders Jeff and Judy Boyle with Operations Manager and Partner, Ivan Oehlert. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara
