[ad. L. cremātiōn-em, n. of action f. cremāre (see prec.).] The action of burning or cremating; spec. the reduction of a corpse to ashes as a way of disposing of it in lieu of interment; an instance of this practice.
1623. Cockeram, Cremation, Burning.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., ii. 4. The Solemnities, Ceremonies, Rites of their Cremation or enterrment, so solemnly delivered by Authors.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 87, ¶ 4. The custom of voluntary cremation is not yet lost among the ladies of India.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann., II. III. vi. 160. When cremation was abandoned for inhumation.
1882. Pall Mall Gaz., 6 June, 1/2. The cremation of Garibaldi … is to be carried out in accordance with his last will and testament.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 7 March, 3/2. Mr. Justice Stephen’s recent decision that cremation … is a legal proceeding has naturally stirred the Cremation Society of England to be up and doing.
Hence Cremationism, nonce-wd., the advocacy or ‘cause’ of cremation. Cremationist, one who advocates cremation as a means of disposing of the bodies of the dead.
1884. Fargo (Minnesota) Argus, Feb. Cremationism is on the increase.
1875. F. S. Haden, Earth to Earth, 6. The Cremationists whose position I must venture to think untenable.
1885. Manch. Exam., 22 June, 5/3. The revelations made … excited the cremationists immensely.
