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

Communities practiced cremation, traditional burials, skull only depositions, and complex multi stage burial rites, sometimes within the same settlements.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Because cremation destroys much of the biological material scientists typically study, this era has long been difficult to investigate in detail.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

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

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

I’ve seen them lying on their funeral beds covered in flowers, being wheeled down the street by their families on the way to cremation.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• incineration