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

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

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

After decades working in mortuaries, a campaigner hopes to provide the UK's first human composting service as an alternative to cremation or burial.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

There, instead of burial or cremation, bodies are placed in a sealed vessel containing organic matter such as alfalfa, straw and wood chips.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

After a very long prayer, the minister said, “Surely a simple service would do, then the cremation, just as he’d asked.”

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Related Words

• incineration