kremaatio

Kremaatio, sometimes written kremaatio in Finnish, is the process of reducing a deceased human body to bone fragments and ash through controlled high-temperature combustion in a crematorium. The practice is used as an alternative to traditional burial and is common in many countries. The term derives from Latin cremare, "to burn." The procedure begins after the body is identified, placed in a combustible container, and loaded into a sealed cremation chamber. Fire and reducing conditions around 800–1000 degrees Celsius are used, with durations commonly 1 to 3 hours depending on equipment and body. After cremation, the remaining bone fragments are processed into a uniform powder called cremains or ashes, which are placed in an urn and returned to the family or a designated recipient.

Legal and cultural aspects vary by jurisdiction. Cremation is accepted by many religions and secular jurisdictions, while some religious groups prohibit or restrict it. Environmental and safety standards regulate emissions, energy use, and handling of remains. Modern crematoria employ filtration and exhaust treatment to reduce pollutants.

Alternatives and related practices include alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation), traditional burial, and donation of the body to science. Some cultures use memorials, scattering of ashes in designated sites, or interment in columbaria. Cremation rates have risen in many regions due to space constraints, cost considerations, and personal preferences.