Last updated: October 28, 2026
Summary
- The Soil Challenge: Raw cremated remains are naturally high in sodium and highly alkaline, making them hostile to plant life and soil biology if left untreated.
- The Solution: AWAKE Ashes uses patented soil science (Ashes to Earth™) to transform raw cremation ashes into a plant-nourishing, bioavailable soil blend.
- Versatile Application: Supports diverse memorial choices—from at-home garden plantings and tree rituals to scattering in existing forests.
- Industry Integration: Partners directly with funeral providers to give families meaningful, eco-friendly memorial options at the decision-making stage.
- Rapid Growth: Expanded to 50+ partner locations, collaborated with the GTA’s Mount Pleasant Group, and secured NRC IRAP status to drive ongoing R&D.
There are many unseen environmental challenges that go unnoticed in our day-to-day lives. While many cleantech companies focus on industrial water treatment, renewable energy, or zero-emission supply chains, others are dedicated to protecting ecosystem health right under our feet—in the soil.
In Canada, approximately 75 to 80% of families choose cremation—a decision deeply rooted in family tradition, personal preference, and practical accessibility. However, while cremation is the standard choice for most Canadians, the resulting cremated remains present an unexpected challenge for local ecosystems: raw ashes are naturally hostile to plant life.
Bridging compassionate memorial care and environmental stewardship, AWAKE Ashes—a Kickstart program alum—is tackling this challenge head-on. We sat down with co-founder Amanda Kelly to discuss how their patented technology transforms cremated remains into a plant-friendly, nutrient-rich soil blend.
While cremation is a deeply personal and meaningful choice for millions of families, few realize how raw remains interact with soil biology. Cremated ashes consist primarily of dense calcium phosphate and high sodium concentrations, resulting in a pH level near 11.8—similar to household bleach.
When raw ashes are buried near roots or scattered in gardens, this extreme alkalinity and salt concentration can scorch root systems, block moisture uptake, and disrupt soil chemistry.
Rather than focusing on the cremation process itself, AWAKE addresses what happens after. Protecting soil biology requires neutralizing these harsh conditions so nature can thrive alongside memorial traditions.
Amanda and her co-founder Lauren Andrew’s inspiration for AWAKE grew out of a period of personal loss. Having lost five family members in a short window, Amanda was faced with making decisions on how to honour and memorialize them.
She noticed a distinct gap in post-cremation care that truly supported living biology. “The people working on the cemetery grounds are often the ones who see the issues—remains not breaking down properly and trying to preserve the memorial gardens for families,” she explained.
Launched in 2021, AWAKE combines patented soil science with traditional memorial care. Their product, Ashes to Earth®, transforms cremated remains into a bioavailable nutrient source for living plants. Whether families choose at-home planting kits or community scattering gardens, AWAKE helps them turn loss into a positive contribution to local plant health.
Education has been a central driver of their growth—helping both families and funeral directors understand that raw ashes require proper treatment to become plant-friendly.
To expand their reach, AWAKE collaborates directly with cremation providers, equipping them to offer a thoughtful, plant-friendly option during memorial planning.
“We see ourselves as a lot more than a product; we want to help funeral providers support families during one of the most challenging times of their lives,” Amanda noted. “Trust is vital in memorial care. We want funeral homes to feel confident in the science, and families to feel good about how their choices support the environment underground.”
After 13 years of research and international collaboration, AWAKE’s organic soil blend stands as a uniquely patented product designed to convert cremation ashes into living earth. Because soil conditions vary dramatically across Canada, each formulation is regionally adapted using third-party lab analysis to match local climates, native vegetation, and ground chemistry.
Amanda emphasizes their commitment to regional sourcing, using materials from Ontario to keep supply chain footprints low while honouring loved ones locally. While their primary partner base is currently in Canada, AWAKE regularly connects with entrepreneurs across North America who share a commitment to soil health and sustainable innovation.
Education and trust have fueled AWAKE’s expansion from a few initial locations to over 50 partner sites across Ontario, with active growth underway in Alberta and British Columbia.
Listening to client feedback revealed that many families prefer taking remains home to nurture existing gardens, scatter in natural forests, or plant memory trees. In response, AWAKE launched dedicated at-home memorial kits. The company is now scaling beyond independent providers to major bereavement groups, including a key partnership with the Mount Pleasant Group across the Greater Toronto Area.
To support this momentum, AWAKE is engaging non-dilutive funding partners nationwide. Becoming a National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) client marks a major milestone, unlocking advanced R&D support for their upcoming product pipeline and expansion into the pet memorial sector.
By deepening industry partnerships and advancing bioavailable soil science, AWAKE is redefining bereavement care—proving that honouring loved ones and protecting soil biology go hand in hand.
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1. Why are raw cremation ashes damaging to plants and soil?
Raw cremated remains have a very high pH level (highly alkaline), contain high concentrations of sodium, and are void of microorganisms. When placed directly into garden soil or near plant roots, raw ashes can scorch the roots, block nutrient uptake, and disrupt the surrounding soil microbiome.
2. How does converting cremation ashes into plant-friendly soil work?
AWAKE’s Ashes to Earth® medium applies environmental engineering and soil science principles to neutralize extreme alkalinity and manage electrical conductivity (EC). By improving chemical buffering, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial support, the medium converts raw minerals into a bioavailable form that safely nourishes plant and soil systems. Formulations are verified through independent third-party testing and regionally adapted to ensure physical consistency and local soil compatibility across Canada
3. What is the difference between water cremation, natural burial, and bioavailable soil treatments?
- Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis): An alternative tissue-reduction process using water, heat, and alkalinity instead of flame. Results in reduced remains similar to cremation ashes.
- Natural Burial: Placing an un-embalmed body directly into the earth in a simple biodegradable shroud or wooden vessel.
- Bioavailable Soil Treatments (Ashes to Earth®): A post-cremation soil science application that neutralizes cremated ashes so they can safely nourish plants, gardens, and trees.
4. How can families use bioavailable soil blends at home?
Funeral directors prepare AWAKE’s planting kit so it is ready to plant or scatter when families pick it up from the funeral home. Families then use the mixture to plant trees or shrubs, enrich backyard gardens, or scatter remains safely and legally in natural areas without harming existing vegetation.
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