Which term describes the process of burning human remains to ashes?

The process of burning human remains to ashes is referred to as cremation. This term specifically denotes the method where the body is subjected to intense heat in a cremation chamber, resulting in the reduction of the body to its basic elements and ashes. Cremation is a widely accepted practice in many cultures and religions, offering an alternative to traditional burial.

Other processes such as burial involve interring the body in the ground, while embalming is a preservation technique that uses chemicals to delay decomposition, enabling viewing and ceremonies before burial. Disinfection refers to the cleaning process to kill bacteria and other pathogens, which is important in a variety of contexts, including funerary practices, but does not pertain directly to the transformation of human remains into ashes. Thus, cremation is the term that accurately describes the burning of human remains.