kremation

Kremation, commonly spelled cremation in English, is the process of reducing a deceased body to bone fragments through controlled high‑temperature combustion. The resulting cremated remains are typically processed into a coarse powder and referred to as cremains or ashes. They can be kept in an urn, buried, scattered at a location, or disposed of according to local regulations and family preferences. In some languages the spelling with a K is standard (for example kremasjon in Norwegian).

During cremation, the body is placed in a cremation chamber (retort) and heated to approximately 800–1000°C. The soft tissues vaporize, leaving bone fragments that are later processed into cremains. Modern crematories use emission controls to reduce pollutants, and some jurisdictions require removal of dental mercury before cremation.

Historically, cremation has ancient roots and became widely adopted in many regions during the 19th and 20th centuries as an alternative to burial. Cultural, religious, and legal attitudes toward cremation vary; some traditions permit or encourage it, while others discourage or prohibit it.

Alternatives include traditional burial, aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis), or donation to science. Regulatory frameworks address health and safety, environmental impact, and the handling and disposal of remains, including concerns about emissions, energy use, and dignity and consent in arrangements.