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

Ed Cullen, from Taunton in Somerset, said when his mum died, she arranged an unattended cremation because she thought it was cheaper - leaving him and his family without the chance to say goodbye.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Lawrence Bennett wasn’t only a guardian of the green jackets — the iconic garment of Augusta National — but he also oversaw their cremation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

That meant cutting off a coat’s emblem on the pocket, buttons and name tags in the lining, then taking what was left to a local funeral home for cremation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

While it does not oppose cremation, it does ban scattering of ashes.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

After the cremation, Mother chartered a boat and went out into the Atlantic.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

• incineration