What does the term "inurnment" mean?

The term "inurnment" specifically refers to the act of placing cremated remains into an urn or a similar permanent container. This practice is an essential part of cremation services, as it provides a respectful way to handle the remains of the deceased after the cremation process is complete. Inurnment allows families to retain a tangible memorial of their loved one, offering a choice for how they wish to honor and remember them, whether it be through displaying the urn in their home, burying it, or placing it in a columbarium.

Understanding this term is crucial within the context of funeral and post-death care practices, as it relates directly to how cremated remains are managed following cremation. Other terms related to funeral practices, such as burial, rituals around cremation, or embalming have distinctly different meanings and processes, which highlights the specificity of the term "inurnment."