What is the practice of placing cremated remains into an urn, niche, or grave known as?

The practice of placing cremated remains into an urn, niche, or grave is known as inurnment. This term specifically refers to the act of placing cremated remains within an urn, which is then often further interred in a cemetery or positioned in a columbarium niche.

Inurnment is a distinct process that emphasizes the handling of cremated remains, highlighting its ceremonial aspects and the respect afforded to the deceased during this transition. It involves careful consideration of the location and manner in which the remains are stored or displayed, whether in a personal space, like an urn at home, or a public place, such as a niche in a cemetery.

While interment also involves the placement of remains, it typically refers to traditional burial practices, not specifically the management of cremated remains. Entombment deals with placing a casket in a mausoleum or similar structure, while committal usually refers to the ceremony or ritual accompanying the final disposition of the remains, which may include inurnment but is more broad in context.

By understanding inurnment, you gain insight into an important aspect of cremation practices and how they align with the wishes of families and the dignity of the deceased.