The Cremation Association of North America describes cremation as, "The mechanical and/or
thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments".
It's important to remember that cremation is only the final means of disposition, the other two being interment or entombment. It does not affect type of ceremony you can have for a loved one.
In the past, many people equated 'cremation' with quick and simple services,
and 'interment' as a full traditional funeral. That simply isn't the case.