Pyres

Pyres are structures or piles of combustible material used for cremation—a method of disposing of a body by burning. The term covers both simple open-air wood piles and purpose-built platforms designed to support combustion. The exact form and setting of a pyre vary across cultures and historical periods, but the shared goal is to facilitate the cremation of the deceased.

Historically, funeral pyres appear in many regions. In Hindu practice, the body is placed on a wooden platform near a river and lit as part of the antyesti rite. In ancient Greece and Rome, funeral pyres were used in certain periods and social contexts. Nordic and some Baltic communities conducted ship-borne or land-based pyres as part of elaborate funerary rites. Across Asia and Europe, various traditions employed pyres before the widespread adoption of formal crematoria.

Today, cremation is typically conducted in purpose-built crematoria that use controlled furnaces. Open-air pyres are restricted or prohibited in many countries due to safety, environmental, and public health concerns. Some cultures continue to observe traditional pyre rites in designated settings or ceremonies, while others adopt hybrid or symbolic practices that preserve ritual elements without outdoor burning.

Construction and operation considerations include the materials and design of the supporting platform, airflow management, and fuel choice. Pyres may be built from timber, stone, or metal, with attention to stability and burn efficiency. Environmental regulations, wind conditions, and emission controls influence how pyres are planned and carried out in places where open burning remains part of a ceremony.

Etymology: the word pyre derives from Greek pyr, via Latin pyra, denoting a combustible heap used for cremation.