What does the term cremated remains mean?

• A. Human remains after incineration in a crematory
• B. Complete burial in a cemetery
• C. Ashes after burial in ground
• D. Remains after embalming

Answer: (A)

Cremated remains refers to the material that remains after a body has been incinerated in a crematory. The cremation process turns the body into small bone fragments, which are then processed into a uniform powder-like substance. This material is what families receive and may place in an urn or handle in other ways. Although people often call it “ashes,” the precise term is cremated remains. This is different from a full burial in a cemetery (which involves interment of the body rather than cremation) and from remains described as after embalming (embalming is a preservation step that may precede cremation but does not define what remains after cremation).