What is considered a primary form of disposition of human remains?

Burial is considered a primary form of disposition of human remains because it involves the interment of the body in the ground, which has been a traditional practice across numerous cultures for centuries. This method serves not only to dispose of the remains, but it also provides a location for grieving and memorialization. In many societies, burial is often associated with customs, rituals, and religious beliefs, thus holding significant cultural and emotional importance.

Cremation, entombment, and alkaline hydrolysis are also methods of disposition but are generally regarded as secondary or alternative options. While cremation involves the reduction of the body to ashes through fire, and entombment involves placing the remains in a mausoleum, alkaline hydrolysis—a process that uses water and chemicals to decompose the body—has emerged more recently as a modern alternative. Each method has its unique practices and implications, but burial remains the most traditional and widely recognized form of final disposition in the context of funeral service.