Translation guide
The practice of burning a dead body as a funeral rite. In Japan, cremation is the standard practice, and there are specific cultural and linguistic conventions around it.
Referring to the general concept or the event of cremation.
The standard, neutral term for cremation as a funeral practice. Used in official and everyday contexts.
日本では火葬が一般的です。
In Japan, cremation is common.
火葬の許可が必要です。
You need a permit for cremation.
A formal, often Buddhist term meaning 'to cremate'. Used in obituaries or formal announcements.
故人は荼毘に付されました。
The deceased was cremated.
Expressing the action of cremating someone.
The most common way to say 'to cremate (a body)'. Literally 'to do cremation'.
遺体を火葬にしました。
We cremated the body.
Passive form, often used when the subject is the deceased person.
祖母は昨日火葬されました。
My grandmother was cremated yesterday.
Referring to the place where cremation takes place.
Standard word for a crematorium.
火葬場は市の郊外にあります。
The crematorium is on the outskirts of the city.
A funeral hall that often includes cremation facilities. More general than just a crematorium.
Referring to the remains after cremation.
The bones and ashes of the deceased after cremation. This is the standard term.
遺骨を骨壷に納めます。
We place the cremated remains in an urn.
A polite, common way to refer to cremated remains, especially in conversation. The honorific 'お' is added.
お骨を拾う儀式があります。
There is a ceremony to pick up the bones.
After cremation in Japan, family members often participate in a ritual called 骨上げ (こつあげ), where they use chopsticks to pick the bones out of the ashes and place them in an urn. This is a significant part of Japanese funeral customs.
火葬の後、家族で骨上げをします。
After cremation, the family performs the bone-picking ceremony.
斎場で火葬が行われます。
Cremation is carried out at the funeral hall.