Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Latin]] ''crematus'', past participle of ''cremare'' to burn up, cremate

[[Latin]] ''crematus'', past participle of ''cremare'' to burn up, cremate

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1874]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1874]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: to reduce (as a [[dead]] [[body]]) to ashes by burning

*1: to reduce (as a [[dead]] [[body]]) to ashes by burning

==Description==

==Description==

'''Cremation''' is the use of high-temperature burning, [[vaporization]], and oxidation to reduce dead [[animal]] bodies, including [[human]] ones, to basic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compound chemical compounds], such as gases and mineral fragments retaining the appearance of dry bone. Cremation may serve as a [[funeral]] or post-funeral [[rite]] that is an alternative to the interment of an intact body in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] or casket. Cremated remains, which do not constitute a [[health]] risk, may be [[buried]] or interred in [[memorial]] sites or cemeteries, or they may be legally retained by relatives and [[dispersed]] in various ways. Cremation is not an alternative to a [[funeral]], but rather an alternative to [[burial]] or other forms of disposal.

'''Cremation''' is the use of high-temperature burning, [[vaporization]], and oxidation to reduce dead [[animal]] bodies, including [[human]] ones, to basic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compound chemical compounds], such as gases and mineral fragments retaining the appearance of dry bone. Cremation may serve as a [[funeral]] or post-funeral [[rite]] that is an alternative to the interment of an intact body in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] or casket. Cremated remains, which do not constitute a [[health]] risk, may be [[buried]] or interred in [[memorial]] sites or cemeteries, or they may be legally retained by relatives and [[dispersed]] in various ways. Cremation is not an alternative to a [[funeral]], but rather an alternative to [[burial]] or other forms of disposal.

In many countries, cremation is usually done in a crematorium, but other countries prefer [[different]] [[methods]], such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyre open-air cremation] in India and in Nepal.

In many countries, cremation is usually done in a crematorium, but other countries prefer [[different]] [[methods]], such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyre open-air cremation] in India and in Nepal.

Cremation might be preferable for [[environmental]] reasons. [[Burial]] is a known source of certain environmental [[contaminants]], with the coffin itself being the major contaminant, though [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_burial natural burials] are also possible. Another environmental concern is that [[traditional]] burial takes up a great deal of [[space]]. In a traditional burial, the body is [[buried]] in a casket made from a variety of materials. In the United States, the casket is often placed inside a concrete vault or liner before burial in the ground. While individually this may not take much room, combined with other burials, it can over time cause serious [[space]] concerns. Many [[cemeteries]], particularly in Japan and Europe as well as those in larger [[cities]], have run out of permanent space. In Tokyo, for example, traditional [[burial]] plots are extremely scarce and expensive, and in London, a space crisis led [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Harman Harriet Harman] to propose reopening old graves for "double-decker" burials.

Cremation might be preferable for [[environmental]] reasons. [[Burial]] is a known source of certain environmental [[contaminants]], with the coffin itself being the major contaminant, though [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_burial natural burials] are also possible. Another environmental concern is that [[traditional]] burial takes up a great deal of [[space]]. In a traditional burial, the body is [[buried]] in a casket made from a variety of materials. In the United States, the casket is often placed inside a concrete vault or liner before burial in the ground. While individually this may not take much room, combined with other burials, it can over time cause serious [[space]] concerns. Many [[cemeteries]], particularly in Japan and Europe as well as those in larger [[cities]], have run out of permanent space. In Tokyo, for example, traditional [[burial]] plots are extremely scarce and expensive, and in London, a space crisis led [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Harman Harriet Harman] to propose reopening old graves for "double-decker" burials.

 

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]