noun
cremation
krih-MAY-shun/krəˈmeɪʃn/
Disposal of a dead body by burning it to ashes.
The family chooses cremation and keeps the ashes in an urn.
Etymology
Cremation names the act of burning. The Latin verb already included burning the dead, so the English funeral sense preserves an established use of the root.
In context
after the casket has been placed inside the cremation chamber a 300 000 btu burner is ignited using natural or propane gas once the casket is totally consumed by flames it collapses and exposes the body to direct fire
More examples
- She requests cremation in her will.
- The funeral home arranges cremations for local families.
- After the cremation, they scatter his ashes at sea.
Forms
cremation · cremations
cremate verb — To reduce a dead body to ashes.
crematory noun — A place where dead bodies are cremated.
Similar words
- incineration
- Usually refers to burning waste, rather than human remains.