cremation

American  

[kri-mey-shuhn] / krɪˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of reducing a dead body to ashes by fire, especially as a funeral rite.

   The others in the family want to have a private cremation, followed by a memorial service where we scatter the ashes.

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Etymology

Origin of cremation

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin cremātiōn-, stem of cremātiō; see cremate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Cremation produces significant carbon emissions and traditional burial takes up land and resources," said Hughes.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Harford owned Apollo Funeral & Cremation Services in the Denver suburb of Littleton, police said, and the hoarded cremains appear to be those of people who died from 2012 to 2021.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Cremations are popular in much of Britain, according to surveys from the Cremation Society that suggest more than 70 percent of the deceased have opted for that method in the past two decades.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

Cremation is increasingly popular in America, though it’s certainly not the only alternative to being buried.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023

Cremation has never been practiced by these Indians.

From A Further Contribution to the Study of the Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians by Yarrow, H. C. (Harry Crécy)

Related Words

• incineration