CONCORD, N.H.— A New Hampshire lawmaker wants the state to rethink a ban on a new mortuary science that uses lye in hot water to dissolve bodies as an alternative to cremation.

The state decided last year to reverse a 2006 law that allowed alkaline hydrolysis — a process now used on human cadavers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Alkaline hydrolysis was legal in New Hampshire until a law was passed banning it.

The process was developed in this country 16 years ago to get rid of animal carcasses. It uses lye, 300-degree heat and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch to destroy bodies in big stainless-steel cylinders that are similar to pressure cookers.

Manchester funeral director Chad Corbin asked a House committee Wednesday to let him provide the service now that a study has been done that determined the ban should be ended....