What is the final step in the cremation process that involves reducing bone fragments?

The final step in the cremation process that involves reducing bone fragments is processing. During this stage, the remaining bone fragments, after the cremation itself, are collected and further processed to create a uniform size which is often referred to as "ashes" or "cremated remains." This step is essential to ensure that the remains are manageable for families and can be easily stored or scattered according to their wishes.

Interment refers to the act of placing the remains in a grave or other burial site; this does not involve the reduction of bone fragments. Raking can refer to the movement or organization of materials during the cremation process but does not specifically relate to the final handling of the bone fragments. Scattering refers to the act of dispersing the cremated remains in a meaningful location but is a post-processing decision, not part of the reduction of the fragments themselves. Thus, processing is the crucial step that addresses the need for managing and finalizing the cremated remains.