cremains

English edit

Etymology edit

Blend of cremated +‎ remains. Apparently originally a euphemism used by undertakers.^[1]

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /kɹɪˈmeɪnz/
Rhymes: -eɪnz
Hyphenation: cre‧mains

Noun edit

cremains pl (plural only)

Cremated remains of a deceased person.
- 1992, Kathleen Sublette, Martin Flagg, Final Celebrations: A Guide for Personal and Family Funeral Planning, page 52:
  Some people prefer to keep the cremains in their homes in a special place.
- 2009, Mugan Sozan Peter Schellin, Rogue Monk: A Memoir about Zen, Disability, and Work, page 93:
  Paul's cremains arrived by limo service less than an hour before the living room memorial.
- 2010, Norman L. Cantor, After We Die: The Life and Times of the Human Cadaver, page 111:
  Because of these remaining bone fragments, the cremains must be pulverized to a grainy powder before any scattering of ashes.

References edit

^ Time, volume 63, numbers 1–13, 1954, page 93: “The commission's research turned up such a sign of the times as a crematory that delicately refers to ashes as "cremains."”

Anagrams edit

Carmines, Crimeans, Mercians, carmines, cerimans, minecars, screamin'

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