Which of the following best describes cremation?

Cremation is best described as the process of reducing the body to ashes through heat. This process involves exposing the body to high temperatures in a cremation chamber, which effectively reduces organic material and transforms the remains into cremated ashes.

Understanding this process is crucial as it differentiates cremation from other methods of body disposition, such as burial or embalming. While options such as being environmentally friendly and being a traditional method are aspects that might be associated with cremation, the definitive characteristic remains its mechanism of converting the body into ashes through the application of heat. This core process highlights what sets cremation apart from other forms of disposition and emphasizes the importance of understanding the technical aspects of cremation in funeral service practice.