What is cremation?

Cremation is defined as the method of reducing a body to ash through burning. This process involves subjecting the deceased’s body to intense heat in a specialized furnace known as a cremator or cremation chamber. The temperature in this chamber often exceeds 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows for the complete combustion of organic materials while minimizing the remaining elements to ash and small bone fragments.

This definition highlights the distinction of cremation compared to other end-of-life practices. For instance, burying a body refers to traditional burial processes, preserving a body is related to embalming or mausoleum placements intended for viewing, and arranging a funeral service pertains to the organization of events surrounding the deceased's memorial. Therefore, the primary focus of cremation is the transformation of the body through fire, which is pivotal to understanding its significance and the choices available in funeral practices.