What does cremating mean?
'Cremating' is the present participle of the verb 'to cremate', meaning to dispose of a dead body by burning it until only ashes remain, most commonly in a purpose-built facility known as a crematorium. The word derives from the Latin 'cremare', meaning 'to burn', and entered English usage in the seventeenth century. Cremating is a formal term used almost exclusively in funerary, medical, legal, and religious contexts; one would not use it to describe ordinary burning of rubbish or materials — 'incinerating' serves that broader purpose. The practice of cremating the dead has been observed across many cultures and eras, from Roman antiquity to modern secular societies, and remains one of the two principal methods of body disposal worldwide alongside burial. Related forms include 'cremation' (the noun for the process), 'cremated', and 'crematorium'.
verbThe present participle of 'cremate': to dispose of a dead body by burning it to ashes, typically in a crematorium.
- To dispose of a dead body by burning it to ashes, especially in a crematorium.
"After the ceremony, the family chose cremating their father's remains rather than a traditional burial."
"The hospice counsellor explained that cremating a loved one is often less costly than burial."
"In many ancient cultures, cremating the deceased on a funeral pyre was considered an honour."
The word comes straight from the Latin 'cremare,' meaning simply 'to burn' — the Romans were cremating their dead long before English borrowed the term.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cremating
'Cremating' derives from the Latin verb 'cremare', meaning 'to burn', which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ker- ('to burn'). The term was adopted into English in the early seventeenth century, though widespread use of the practice in Britain and America revived in the nineteenth century with the founding of modern crematoria. Closely related words sharing this Latin root include 'cremation', 'crematorium', and the informal 'cremains'.
Related word forms
How cremating is actually used
Formal register; used almost exclusively in contexts relating to death and funerary practice.
Easily confused with cremating
'Cremating' is the verb form describing the act itself, while 'cremation' is the noun referring to the process or event.
'Incinerating' refers to burning waste or other materials generally, while 'cremating' specifically means burning human or animal remains.