expression, godan verb (-su)
to cremate (a body)
Formal or literary expression for cremation, often used in Buddhist contexts. The verb 付す is an older equivalent of 付する.
遺体は荼毘に付された。
The remains were cremated.
The standard modern term for cremation; 荼毘に付す is more formal and literary.
荼毘 (dabi) is a Buddhist term for cremation, derived from Pali jhāpeti (to burn). 付す (fusu) is an older verb meaning 'to attach' or 'to subject to', here used in the sense of 'to consign to'.