What does cremation mean?
Cremation is the process of disposing of a dead body by burning it until only ashes remain, usually performed in a specialised facility called a crematorium. It stands alongside burial as one of the two principal methods of dealing with human remains, and its use has grown substantially across many countries in recent decades, particularly in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia where land for cemeteries is limited or cultural attitudes have shifted. A cremation may be preceded by a full funeral service or carried out simply and privately, with the resulting ashes kept, buried, or scattered according to the wishes of the deceased or their family. The word derives ultimately from the Latin 'cremare', meaning 'to burn'. Neutral and precise in tone, it appears regularly in legal documents, medical contexts, obituaries, and everyday conversation about funeral arrangements, making it an essential term for discussing end-of-life practices clearly and respectfully.
nounThe disposal of a dead body by burning it to ashes, typically carried out in a crematorium. More broadly, the act or process of reducing a body (or, historically, other matter) to ashes by fire.
- The disposal of a dead human body by burning it to ashes, especially as a formal funeral practice conducted in a crematorium.
- The reduction of any substance (rarely used outside the funerary sense) to ash or residue by intense heat.
"After the service, the family attended the cremation at the local crematorium."
"She chose cremation rather than a traditional burial, and her ashes were scattered in the mountains she loved."
"The document laid out clear instructions: no elaborate ceremony, just a simple cremation and a quiet gathering afterwards."
Usually treated as uncountable when referring to the general practice ('cremation is increasingly common'), but takes a plural form when counting individual instances.
"The crematorium performs around three cremations each day."
The word 'cremation' comes from Latin 'cremare', meaning 'to burn' — and it's been humanity's alternative to burial for thousands of years, from ancient Roman pyres to modern crematoriums.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cremation
Cremation derives from the Latin verb 'cremare', meaning 'to burn' or 'to consume by fire', which is related to 'ciner-' (ash) and connects to a wider Indo-European root concerning burning. The word entered English in the early 17th century, initially appearing in scholarly and historical writing about ancient Roman and Greek funerary customs before gaining broader currency in the 19th century as cremation was revived as a practical alternative to burial in Britain and elsewhere. Cognates sharing this Latin root include 'cremate', 'crematorium', and more distantly words built on the same base such as 'procreate' and 'concrete'.
Related word forms
How cremation is actually used
Cremation is a neutral, formal term used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts alike. It carries no strong emotional charge on its own, though discussions of it are naturally treated with sensitivity given their association with death and mourning.
Easily confused with cremation
Cremation is the process of burning a body to ashes, while a crematorium is the building or facility where that process takes place.
Cremate is the verb meaning to burn a body to ashes; cremation is the noun naming the process itself.