Cremation Definition: The reduction of the body of a deceased human to its essential elements by incineration. Related Terms: Funeral, Human Remains The 14th edition of Wharton's Law Lexicon defined cremation as:"... the disposal of a dead body by burning instead of by burial."In the American state of California, the 2011 Health and Safety Code defines cremation as follows, at ยง7010:""Cremation means the process by which the following three steps are taken: (a) The reduction of the body of a deceased human to its essential elements by incineration; (b) the repositioning or moving of the body or remains during incineration to facilitate the process; (and) (c) the processing of the remains after removal from the cremation chamber....REFERENCES:Oppe, A. S., Wharton's Law Lexicon, 14th Ed. (London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1938), page 279. Categories & Topics: Medical-Legal Dictionary Trusts, Wills, Estates and Probate Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!