What is the term for the act of placing cremated human remains in an urn?

Inurnment is the specific term used for the act of placing cremated human remains into an urn. This process typically follows the cremation of the body, reflecting a respectful way to handle and preserve the ashes. Inurnment allows for the remains to be stored in a designated container, which can be kept in a columbarium, displayed in a home, or buried in a cemetery.

Understanding the other terms can help clarify why inurnment is uniquely applicable in this context. Interment refers to the burial of a body or remains into the ground, which does not apply to cremated ashes. Burial involves placing a casket or remains directly in the soil, while exhumation is the process of removing a body or remains from the ground after they have been buried. By recognizing the specific definitions of these terms, the distinction of inurnment becomes clear.