An alkaline hydrolysis unit (10) is described. The alkaline hydrolysis unitcomprises: a chamber (24) for receivinga cadaver to be chemically decomposed, the chamber including a head-receivingpart,intended to receive the head of the cadaver；arecirculation pump (38) fluidly connected to the chamber of the alkalinehydrolysis unit and adapted to recirculate fluids withinthe chamber；a head retaining means (114) locatable in the chamber, forretaining the head of the cadaver in the head-receivingpart of the chamber； and at least one recirculation jet (138) fluidlyconnected to the recirculation pump and positioned to aim fluidfrom the recirculation pump at the head-receiving part of the chamber. Amethod of disposing of a cadaver is also described.
